At just 8 years old, Liam found his passion in CrossFit, a sport that not only helped him grow physically but also shaped who he is today. As an Autistic teenager, he has faced challenges along the way, but with the support of his family and coach, he pushed through, achieving top rankings in Oceania and worldwide. Now, he’s on a mission to inspire others to embrace movement, overcome barriers, and live life to the fullest.

Liam lifts a barbell weight at his local gym.

I started CrossFit when I was just 8 years old. I had always struggled with sports at school, mostly because I was really nervous about people watching me. So, when my mum signed me up for CrossFit kids, it felt different. The classes were small, with kids of different ages, and most importantly, it was fun. We had tried many other sports before, but none of them really stuck for me like CrossFit did.

At the time, I didn’t know I had autism. That diagnosis came more recently, but looking back, a lot of things make sense now. My mum noticed early on that I had difficulties with things like holding a pencil or cutting paper. We went to see an occupational therapist who worked with sensory integration, and they explained that I had bilateral low tone in my arms. I hadn’t crawled much as a baby, and it showed up in different ways, like struggling with certain motor skills. But CrossFit helped me build strength, and in turn, my confidence grew as well.

Earlier this year, I competed in my first competition outside of our gym in Rotorua. It was a team competition, with two males and two females. I was so nervous that my stomach hurt—I almost backed out. But after talking with my mum and dad, I felt like I could push through, and I ended up running 1.5 km while carrying a 15 kg dumbbell. I was anxious, but I didn’t let it stop me, and that’s something I’m really proud of. In the end, I placed 7th out of 225 in Oceania and 132nd out of 1,500 boys worldwide in my age group. That feels amazing to say out loud!

Training is a big part of my life now. A typical week for me includes five “Workouts of the Day” (WODs) that last about an hour each. Twice a week, I have one-on-one sessions with my coach where we focus on strength training and accessory work. I also make sure to get a sports massage once a week and eat in a way that fuels my body. Weekends are for rest and active recovery. It’s a routine I love because it keeps me focused and moving toward my goals.

I’m lucky to have an incredible support system. My family is my biggest cheerleader—we all train together at the same CrossFit gym, and fitness has become a big part of our family’s life. My coach, Cameron Andrews, has also been a huge influence on me. He’s not just a coach; he’s a mentor, and I look up to him a lot.

Having a good support system keeps Liam pumped.

CrossFit hasn’t just made me stronger physically; it’s helped me develop as a person. I’ve learned resilience and patience, and the community is something really special. Honestly, I connect more with people at the gym than I do with people my own age sometimes. They’ve taught me so much about being a part of something bigger, and that’s helped me mature in ways I didn’t expect.

In the future, my biggest goal is to compete at the CrossFit Games as an elite athlete. That’s the dream I’m working toward. But beyond that, I’d love to become a CrossFit coach one day. I want to help others, especially those who might feel like they don’t fit into typical fitness spaces. As someone who’s both Autistic and severely dyslexic, I know there are extra hurdles to cross, but I’m not going to let them stop me from reaching my goals.

My advice to other young people with disabilities is simple: just give it a go. CrossFit, and movement in general, has helped me manage my autism in ways I never expected. When I think about “living life to the fullest,” I picture myself in the middle of a tough WOD, pushing myself harder than I thought possible, and then at the end, getting high-fives and support from the people around me. That sense of community is everything.

One of my proudest moments was placing 7th in Oceania. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever. I hope my story encourages other kids on the spectrum to give CrossFit a try. The movements are powerful, and it’s a judgement-free environment where you can really be yourself. I believe that everyone, neurodiverse or not, deserves the chance to find wellness through movement. CrossFit has done that for me, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.