Ben Schofield

I wasn’t an active kid—at all. My interests were non-athletic and indoor-focused, and I never played sports growing up. It wasn’t until I was 15 that I began exercising. I was weak, uncoordinated, and unfit, and honestly, it never occurred to me that I could be strong or fit. In my mind, that was reserved for celebrities and pro athletes.

My background was actually in illustration, and at the time my goal was to illustrate superhero comic books. But it wasn’t until someone told me that if I went to the gym I could actually look like the superheroes I was drawing that I decided I would try to get in shape. It started with push-ups and sit-ups in my room at night, which eventually led to a gym membership. That’s when I fell in love with exercise and fitness.

Since I didn’t have an athletic foundation, I jumped into all kinds of sports to teach myself how to be more coordinated. I started with niche sports—like archery, rock climbing, and ultimate frisbee—so that when I was bad at them (which I was), no one would laugh. While those sports were fun, strength training became my constant. I loved the feeling of getting stronger and discovering what my body could do.

Eventually, I went to university to study exercise science. At the time, I didn’t have a clear career path; I just knew I wanted to channel my passion for fitness into something meaningful. It wasn’t until my dad started seeing an Exercise Physiologist to help manage his diabetes that I realised what I wanted to do. Seeing the positive impact they had on his health and lifestyle solidified my path.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to start, and that hard work beats talent, every time. With enough dedication, anyone can achieve anything they set their mind on.

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I’ve had a few turning points in my journey. The first was simply starting. As a very small and unathletic kid who hated P.E., it was a big shift in identity to enjoy exercise and embrace getting stronger. Along the way, I faced setbacks, including injuries (usually from my own stubbornness) and a struggle with disordered eating during university.

For 18 months, I became obsessed with getting as lean and “shredded” as possible, trying to emulate the physiques I saw on social media. I meticulously tracked calories, punished myself with guilt-driven exercise, and watched my strength and performance decline. I was chasing an image that didn’t make me happy—in fact, being that lean only made me feel worse.

With the help of family and friends, I realigned my goals and returned to what mattered most: prioritising health and enjoying the feeling of being strong and capable. That experience taught me the importance of balance and the value of aligning your actions with your true goals.

I found CrossFit not long after that and enjoyed it’s refreshing take on fitness. It’s not focused on aesthetics or vain outcomes, there aren’t even any mirrors in the gym. Instead, it’s about showing up, embracing the challenge, and constantly pushing to improve. At CrossFit Zenith, I discovered the balance of strength, endurance, and skill that CrossFit stands for, and it quickly became my passion.

Physically, it’s made me more capable and well-rounded. Mentally, it’s taught me resilience and the value of effort over perfection. The supportive environment at Zenith showed me that fitness isn’t just personal—it’s shared, and progress is something to celebrate together. CrossFit has helped me align with my true goals: health, strength, and the joy of movement.

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I love everything about fitness. The science, the grind, the sense of achievement—it’s all amazing. I love the mental and physical strength that comes from pushing your limits, the camaraderie of like-minded people, and the simple joy of being capable. Whether it’s climbing a tree to get a stuck ball or handstanding across the dance floor at my wedding, I’m grateful for what fitness has given me.

What drives me most is helping others discover this same joy. I love watching people realise they can do more than they thought possible. Seeing someone who’s never believed in their abilities surpass their goals is incredible because it reminds me of my own journey. If you can conquer hard work in the gym, you can conquer anything. That’s the mindset I hope to instill in every person I work with.

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