The voiceover artist behind trailers for David Attenborough and Top Gear overcame anxiety and depression thanks to the power of CrossFit.
John Calvert, a voiceover artist who has worked for names like the BBC, Microsoft and Ferrari, began CrossFit at Fitness Box gym, in Calne, three years ago.
At the time, he found himself out of shape and was suffering from anxiety and depression.
He remembered: “I was desperately unfit and I was suffering from quite bad anxiety where everything was freaking me out.
“It was all the natural symptoms of not being particularly fit and I just got to the stage where I thought I had to do something.
“I had never heard of CrossFit before, but I joined Fitness Box because it was a lovely community. The coaching inspired me and since then I don’t suffer from anxiety or depression and am the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been.”
CrossFit is an international fitness programme involving a series of different exercises carried out with speed and intensity over a certain period of time.
Combined with a recommended diet, CrossFit Education GM Nicole Carroll claims the sport helps people improve their fitness “faster and more safely than any other programme out there.”
The programme, and the support of Fitness Box trainer Glenn Babbage, has certainly proved successful for Mr Calvert.
He added: “I started from not doing any exercise at all and being the most unfit person in Calne, and I’ve turned into somebody who has never been fitter.
“What inspired me was that you are getting coaching rather than just going into a gym and getting on with it on your own.
“Somebody helps you and encourages and pushes you. It’s a great mix of people and Glenn is an incredibly motivational guy who is able to find the best in you and encourage you to do one more rep, I’ve definitely seen the results from that.”
This year Mr Calvert decided to enter the CrossFit Open, which sees CrossFit members from around the world competing with each other from their own respective gyms.
He surpassed his own expectations by finishing eight worldwide and second in Europe for the over 55s age category.
Reflecting on the achievement, the 59-year-old said: “Considering I used to get exhausted running up the stairs, to be in the top ten in the world is incredibly surprising.
“I’m chuffed that the coaching has enabled me to achieve so much in such a short period of time.”
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