Mike Rawlinson
Owner & Coach
Mike set up CrossFit Leeds in 2010 with a mission to create a friendly and professional fitness facility where individuals could look forward to improving their strength, fitness, health and happiness through consistent and effective training alongside a motivating community of members.
Mike prides himself on teaching his members proper mechanics in order that they can train safely and effectively to get the optimum benefit from their training. He puts his heart and soul into supporting the members at CrossFit Leeds and takes great pride in watching members consistently achieve new goals and make lasting friendships.
Having a sporting background in football and athletics, Mike enjoys getting involved in the competitive aspect of CrossFit and has been competing as far back as the CrossFit Games UK and Ireland Sectional in 2009 and has competed for CrossFit Leeds at the CrossFit Games European Regional competition 3 times. More recently Mike completed his first Ironman Triathlon in 2023.
Alex Heslop
Head Coach & Lead Gymnastics Coach
Alex moved to Leeds in 2011 to study Degree in BSc(Hons) Sports, Physical Activity & Health at Leeds Beckett University. This is where his interest in athletic performance began after participating in strength and conditioning sessions for team sports. He was introduced to CrossFit in 2013 by his sister and mother and was instantly hooked by the new challenge of constantly varied training.
After 2 years training at CrossFit Leeds, Alex joined the CrossFit Leeds coaching team in 2015 and has successfully completed his CrossFit Level 3 assessment and progressed to the position of Head Coach.
Alex is passionate about helping people live happier lives using exercise. He uses all his experience to help people get the most out of their training and takes pride in seeing them reap the rewards both inside and outside of the gym.
Rosie Plowman
CrossFit Coach & Pre/Post-Natal Specialist
Rosie has over 15 years experience working one to one with personal training clients and coaching group fitness classes. While always working to improve her own knowledge and experience, Rosie constantly strives to better educate the people she works with in order that they can get the most out of their training.
Rosie has been doing CrossFit since the opening of CrossFit Leeds in September 2010. She has dedicated herself to learning and understanding the techniques and skills it takes to become a great CrossFit coach while consistently improving her own physical competencies.
Rosie enjoys the competitive aspect of CrossFit and has competed for CrossFit Leeds at 3 European Regional competitions including one just 9 months after giving birth! She has also won a gold medal at the English Indoor Rowing Championships. Rosie also enjoys competing in triathlons over sprint and Olympic distances and notes that her CrossFit training has improved her fitness and speed to make her stronger in all three disciplines.
Tilly Salter Hulme
CrossFit Coach
Tilly has a background in team sports, having played football for Harrogate Town Ladies, as well as competitive Ultimate Frisbee and Cricket before taking up CrossFit in 2018. She was attracted to CrossFit by the social aspect of the training and the addictive nature of learning new skills. For Tilly, through the camaraderie of training with other members in the gym and taking part in team competitions, CrossFit has filled the void of being part of a sports team.
Since starting CrossFit, Tilly has pursued her desire to help others by attaining her CrossFit Level 1 trainer qualification and taking a career change away from working for the University of Leeds to begin coaching for CrossFit Leeds in 2022.
Originally from Oxfordshire, Tilly has lived in Leeds for the past 6 years and following graduation from the University of Birmingham in 2014 spent time living in both the USA & Canada. Outside of the gym Tilly is a keen skier and also enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors and DIY.
Lucy Hack
Crossfit Coach
Lucy competed as a regional and national level sprinter and middle-distance runner after moving across from playing hockey. During her athletics career Lucy has made finals in the 400m and 1500m, competing for Derby AC and Leeds Beckett University. A highlight for Lucy was making the British University Championships 1500m final, and having the opportunity to compete in the London Olympic Stadium. Having come from a competitive athletics and hockey background, Lucy understands what it takes to develop the necessary skills to train for increased performance.
Lucy took part in her first CrossFit Leeds class in March 2011 after being persuaded by her sprints coach to give it a try. She is now addicted to the training style, people and the benefits it can bring to a runner. Alongside CrossFit, Lucy regularly competes at Hyrox events and has twice qualified for the World Championships.
Sam Wild
Crossfit Coach
Sam has been involved with CrossFit Leeds since 2013, initially as a member before beginning coaching in 2016. He has held a range of roles during that time which have allowed him to accrue a wide range of coaching experience in a number of areas; primarily CrossFit and weightlifting training.
He is currently working towards completing a PhD at Leeds Beckett University and is working in his coaching role alongside studying.