Mat Hotho sits down with Luke Reeson, a former British Army sniper who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was shot three times across two deployments—including twice in the legs during his final tour. What followed was a journey from a wheelchair through para swimming with the GB National Team to becoming the 2025 CrossFit Games champion in the Lower Below Knee division.
Luke shares how military charities and sport gave him purpose during recovery, how competing at the Invictus Games led him to para swimming at an international level, and why he eventually traded the pool for the barbell.
He talks about that wild moment at the 2022 CrossFit Games when his swim workout placed him ahead of Jason Hopper and other able-bodied competitors—and what it meant to finally prove himself on their turf.
Luke also opens up about the invisible daily challenges of training with nerve damage and titanium-reinforced bones, what it's like coaching from a body that doesn't always cooperate, and why coming first at the Games wasn't really the point.
Follow Luke on Instagram: @luke2522
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @TheAdaptiveAthletePod
