Meet Fin Dearsly
Published: 16/05/2025, by: Alex Courbat
Fin Dearsly’s journey from tennis prodigy to HYROX competitor is nothing short of inspiring. He bounced back from a rare muscle condition and became an elite athlete – all while running his own business. As Sports Direct’s newest training ambassador, we caught up with him to chat about his incredible journey, how he’s tackled setbacks, and the secret to balancing success in every area of life.
Sport has always been in Fin Dearsly’s DNA. By the age of eight, he wasn’t just dabbling – he was competing at county level in four sports and juggling nearly nine different activities. “I just lived for sport,” he says. Growing up with sporty parents who intentionally kept consoles out of the house, Fin’s childhood was spent outdoors, racing, running, and building the competitive streak that’s stuck with him ever since.
When his family moved from Hertfordshire to Yorkshire, Fin’s tennis talent really started to shine. By 12, he was sponsored by the Lawn Tennis Association, competing at national level, and making his mark in the UK’s top 10 rankings. His training? Relentless: two to three hours a day, with regular sessions with physios, strength coaches, nutritionists, and even psychiatrists.
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Coaches thought Fin had the potential to go pro – and rightfully so. One of his training partners, Paul Jubb, even went on to play at Wimbledon. But mentally, it was a tough grind. He remembers one particular tournament final where he was leading 9-1 in a deciding tiebreak, just one point away from victory… only to lose ten points in a row and the match 11-9. “That wasn’t because he outplayed me. It’s just because I lost it up here,” he says, tapping his head.
By 15, Fin realised that a pro tennis career might not be in the cards after all. So, he switched gears and threw himself into the gym. What started as a way to look good quickly became another passion. He got his personal training qualification and began building a fitness-focused following on social media. Then, at 21, a breakup pushed him into running. That very following day, he went on to run a marathon (despite never having trained beyond 5k before). “I just was like, right, I need to hurt,” he recalls. Not long after, he signed up for a 100-mile ultramarathon to raise money for men’s mental health.
And then, one day, he went to watch his (new) girlfriend compete at Olympia. That’s when it clicked for Fin. Right there and then, he knew this was his thing. “Combining the gym stuff with running, I was just
like, that is just for me,” he remembers. But HYROX wasn’t just a physical challenge – it was a game changer socially too. After moving to London and not knowing many people, Fin met a bunch of folks through HYROX who are now some of his closest friends. “It all kind of fell into place. HYROX has become so much more than just sport – it’s my whole social life, my social media, part of my business. It’s my whole life.”
“Combining the gym stuff with running, I was just like, that is just for me,”
But, like any athlete, Fin’s journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Over the years, he’s battled a fair share of injuries – torn ligaments, dislocated shoulders, broken thumbs, you name it – but his biggest challenge came when he was 13. Diagnosed with Myositis, a rare condition where blood cells attack muscle tissue, he spent a month in hospital and couldn’t walk for six months with the doctors giving him a 25% chance of permanent paralysis from the waist down.
Though he’s mostly overcome that, the effects still pop up from time to time – especially during races where they hit brutal cramps. At one event in Barcelona, the pain forced him to pull out. But at the London HYROX in May, he finished without cramping for the first time in a long time. “Physically, I feel strong, my running’s in a good place, but it’s just been these cramps,” he says. They’ve held him back from pushing himself as hard as he’d like – but his last race felt like a real step in the right direction.
And if that wasn’t enough, Fin also runs a business in the energy sector, putting in long hours. “It’s really hard,” he admits. “The business isn’t in the fitness industry at all.” But training is non-negotiable. “It’s an absolute necessity,” he says. “It’s escapism from the stresses in the business.” In fact, he credits sport with helping him develop the traits that have made him successful in business: “That obsessive personality, sheer unrivalled self-belief, and absolute need to prove yourself.” His message to anyone feeling like they have to choose between career and sport? You don’t. You can do both – you just might have to sacrifice some sleep and your social life.
With his background as a PT, Fin knows what it takes to get results. And when it comes to HYROX, he knows exactly what works for him – and what doesn’t. As a lighter athlete prone to cramping, sled pushes can be a struggle, especially when they come early in the race. To tackle this, he’s started pushing sleds during his runs, so his legs get used to the fatigue. On the flip side, burpees – usually everyone’s nightmare – are his favourite. “For me, it’s a station I quite like, but it’s also a station that people hate. So that is such a big gap that I can create.” His race plan? Keep pace until the burpees, then leave the rest behind.
Fin’s all for getting more people into HYROX. The benefits go far beyond just physical fitness. “Having that combination of strength together with running gets you to feel good and look good. So, it’s kind of a best of both worlds.” Plus, it’s opened up new social circles for him and taken him to five European cities this year alone, which is, as he puts it, “really nice”.
With the World Championships in Chicago fast approaching – where he’ll compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles across three days – Fin’s already looking ahead. His goal? Three months of recovery, building running volume, and addressing weaknesses. “So, I’m ready to hit the next events hard come next year,” he says. Still, he’s hoping to enjoy a bit of summer too. “Rather than spending all my time training for HYROX,” he adds with a grin.
What started as just another sport has evolved into so much more – a lifestyle, a community, and a way to inspire others. For Fin, it’s the perfect link between his past and present, proving that with the right mindset, you can chase your goals in both sport and life.
