7 Athlete Moments of 2023 | The TGPT Review

As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be apt to reflect and recount but a few of the insane moments I have witnessed as Head Coach of TGPT over the last 12 months.

Behind every one of these moments, there’s an untold story of consistent work behind closed doors - a context that makes their achievements all the more impressive.

The ladies and gents I spend my days with are the Bread & Butter of TGPT - so it only seems fair to give them the credit they deserve after what has been a remarkable year…

Battle of the Titans

The start of ‘23 saw an epic Battle between two of TGPT’s Greatest for Team Female Deadlift Record

Athletes Grand & Baldwin went toe to toe throughout December & January, competing for the infamous record - culminating in a Lifting Meet in Sevenoaks.

Watching these two go through the motions with some outstanding lifting was the truly a sight to behold; pushing the record up 1250g at a time!

After weeks of nipping and tucking, Grand took the biscuit that stands to this day at a whopping 127.5kg - the finale of a battle within a war that will undoubtedly continue into 2024!

Strong Show @ TW Half

The Annual Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon saw yet another strong representation from the Team.

3 of our Runners turned out on the blustery Sunday in February to take on the challenging 13 mile route - the apex of a gruelling couple of months of prep in the cold, dark and rain.

Mr Abraham was the main pace-e of the day - where we had a look at getting sub-1:50” on the hilly route. A battle fought and won to the end, coming home with a 1:47” even after a minor bonk at mile 10 - tenacity personified.

Next we had Miss Longhurst - the Workhorse. Sally showed her talent for pacing, sticking with her speed with relentless consistency. A ruthless stint up Spring Hill left her enough in the tank to power through to an awesome time of 2:06” - grade-adjusted, looking at well under the 2 hour mark!

Finally we had Laura - the Pace Merchant. Quick out of the blocks, LK fired up the boiler after a rapid first 10 to stomp it home with little left in the tank. An outstanding show of resilience to see it over the finish line after a tough day at the office.

Huge effort across the board, and a cracking day for TGPT!

A White-Wash of Achievement @ London Marathon & Queen’s Park

It’s got to be in the genes with the White Clan.

Two Team Legends with two outstanding achievements this year - starting with the London Marathon in April.

Athlete Izzy aka The Wiz was this year’s Team Rep at London. After raising an insane amount for Hospice in the Weald in the build up, Wiz had more behind the 26.2 than just a run.

Following a sudden move down to Cornwall, and 6 weeks of limited training after nailing to a T prior, she harnessed the power of the mind to stomp on the 1’s and 2’s - bringing home the finish in just over 4:30”.

Later in the year came the Elder White - after struggling for years following a knee injury, Athlete Ellie stuck to the guns and trusted the process in rehab & the rebuild to finish 2023 with a lifetime PB at the Queen’s Park 10k.

Two incredible performances from the Whites, and I have no doubt that there is a lot more in store for these two in ‘24. Special shoutout to Els for being a founding member of the TGPT RunSqwaad - big up the Dawn Patrol!

The Tolk-Kron Combo @ RideLondon, Windermere & London 10k

TGPT’s Power Couple went into this year with some massive things on the Horizon.

Triathletes Kronholm & Tolkien looked to take on each individual discipline of the triathlon, but on a bigger scale - lending to more training specificity in the run up to each event.

First, an epic effort at RideLondon - where they each took on the 100km and 100mi rides respectively; one made all the more impressive by the sweltering conditions. It seems only fitting that the Windermere 3.4km Swim was to follow, with the Duo looking to rewrite the script after the event got called off last year due to weather conditions. Another gritty performance, and another race boxed off.

The Final Reckoning for these two came in the form of the London ASICS 10k. As expected, each produced PB performances to top an incredibly successful summer off. After everything these guys have done in 2023, I have no doubt that 2024 will hold yet more grit, resilience & outstanding achievement in 2024.

Roll on the Paris Half…

The Baltic Bruiser debuts Ultra @ South Coast 58km

Prior to 2020, running wasn’t in the vocabulary of TGPT’s Lithuanian Represent, Athlete Rai. But with lockdown came a need for something new, and over time has established herself as an incredibly talented runner.

Having ticked off various half marathons in 2022, she felt the need for something bigger - and made the decision to embark on an epic Quest that is the South Coast Ultra Challenge 58km.

What was planned as a walking challenge soon turned to running having negotiated the Seven Sisters on a spicy day in September. The beautiful views, filthy snacks & saucy hills set her up for a blistering performance across the South Downs - ending up with a time of 8:32”.

Being able to witness a raw example of tenacity & mental strength first hand was truly rewarding, and I am unbelievably excited about the fact she has caught the Ultra bug. The Lake District 50 in May awaits, champ. Time to get to work…

Firing Up A Busy Autumn for TGPT

Rai’s Ultra kickstarted a busy Autumn for our Athletes - setting the standard for the rest, who followed suit and delivered a beastly set of results.

We had Athlete JW debuting the Triathlon Game after a quality prep nursing a long-standing knee injury that stopped her from running in the past.

Harnessing the nervous energy from her first ever event, Jess took the Hever Triathlon by the nuts and crossed the finish line in style - prompting the start of her running career that saw her join Els & Raimonda as a founding member of RunSqwaad.

We had Ann, seeking to alter the script having been unable to finish 2 events in the previous 2 years. Again, after going through a strict block of Kneehab, she built back stronger over the summer to finish the Tonbridge Half Marathon in October.

Following her previous DNF’s, this was one of my highlights of the year - seeing an individual bounce back in the manner she did, writing off all previous attempts to define her future career in the World of Running!

We had Rach, who marked her Return to Fitness after 2 years with an awesome effort at a local 10k - giving her the confidence to continue running into the darker, colder months that followed.

Among so many more achievements during September and October, these 3 stood and delivered in the face of so many personal challenges along the way.

The Epitome of what it means to be part of TGPT. Exceptional work, ladies.

GH - Return of the Queen @ PureElite Pro

One of the TGPT Originals, and one of life’s greatest, G Harland. Every time I see G up on stage, the Team’s Premier Bikini Athlete, it is an emotional one - and this year was no different.

Being able to see the apex of so much hard work behind the scenes that spans across every aspect of life is indescribable.

After winning her PE Pro Card at last year’s World Champs, G returned to the Wycombe Swan to compete in the Big Time with fellow pros in the Masters.

On the day, we saw arguably her best look to date that got her a rightful spot on the podium: 2nd Place in Bikini Masters Pro.

This year more than every other year, G has proven herself to be an inspiration - pressing on to achieve that sort of accolade in the face of adversity.

Ghislaine, you have been an absolute hero this year - and being able to share that moment with you in November will stay with me forever. I have no doubt that 2024 will hold yet another step up in the World of Bodybuilding!

TGPT x 2023 | A Year of Triumph

This year will go down in legend as a year of Unequivocal Triumph.

A year that saw immense change in my own life where one thing remained constant: the tenacity, resilience & undeniable grit on show from the Athletes of TGPT.

A constant that grew throughout the year to produce so many moments that would take me all day to spell out.

Unreal. Every one of you.

Here’s to building even more & pushing further and faster in 2024!