With 24% of the UK population living with a disability, the fitness world is often an underserved space for those who need it most. The MHF is closing that gap, supporting individuals aged 16 to 45 who have sustained life-changing injuries.
Apr 24, 2026
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In the fitness industry, results are usually discussed in terms of muscle mass, body fat percentages or personal bests. But at the Matt Hampson Foundation (MHF), results are measured in independence, reclaimed identity and the confidence to navigate life after a catastrophic injury.
With 24% of the UK population living with a disability, the fitness world is often an underserved space for those who need it most. The MHF is closing that gap, supporting individuals aged 16 to 45 who have sustained life-changing injuries through curated sports programs so they can get busy living again.
To deliver an impact this significant, the foundation requires a system capable of accommodating every type of athlete, no matter their level or capability. This is why they trust FITR to deliver their rehabilitation and athletic programming.
The foundation supports beneficiaries through outpatient sessions as well as residential stays. A huge hurdle for Lead Sports Therapist, George Thompson, and the team was finding a way to maintain that support once a beneficiary left the facility to return home.
Confidence is built through consistency and meeting stretching but achievable goals so the team knew they needed a way to program for people when they were not on-site to keep that momentum high. Having used FITR personally before, George reached out to the team who came on board immediately to support the foundation's goal of creating a digital connection to their athletes.
This digital connection does more than just deliver workouts, it keeps the vital sense of belonging intact. As George notes, "We have weekly Challenges for our whole beneficiary population to take part in. It's expanding that community beyond just our centre." By staying connected to a group of peers facing similar challenges, athletes find the ambition and inspiration needed to keep pushing themselves.
Programming for disability requires extreme flexibility. A single workout program format doesn’t work when athletes' physical capabilities vary so widely, from those with partial paralysis to those who are on their feet but managing coordination or balance challenges.
The MHF team utilises Tracks to solve this. They can build one community program that branches into impairment-specific tracks, allowing coaches to deliver precise, safe and effective movements to every individual quickly and easily. George explains: "It’s one program but then with a track that is suitable for everyone, depending on their impairment and their ability."
This technical ease allows the coaches to spend less time on admin and more time on the human side of rehab and building the athlete's belief in what they can still achieve.
Jacob Smith got in touch with the foundation just one week after returning home from the hospital following a life-changing motorbike accident. Jacob knew his injury was one he was never going to recover from, but as George recalls, "he knew he could still go and live."
In the four years since, Jacob has developed from a patient into an elite athlete, recently placing 6th at the CrossFit Games in Las Vegas. Seeing him grow into an incredible athlete and person has been intensely rewarding for the coaching team.
"I don’t always come up to the centre, I tend to come once a week, but with work and busy schedules I train at another gym," Jacob says. "So it’s nice to be able to have George program a workout, I don’t have to think about it. I can just turn up to the gym, record my scores, work out and give feedback to him and he can then send Messages and give me tips and advice over my phone."
Through the FITR app, Jacob stays plugged into the community. For him, the app is the link that keeps his rehabilitation and his competitive goals on track, no matter where his training takes him. This year, his CrossFit goals are even higher: "I finished sixth last year so I'm hoping for top five, potentially podium."
At FITR, we look to build the infrastructure that allows extraordinary coaching to happen anywhere. When results are critical, the Foundation provides the expertise and FITR provides the engine to deliver it.
Get Support: If you or someone you know has been affected by a life-changing injury, you can get in touch with the Matt Hampson Foundation here.
FITR can provide its services to charity organisations free of charge, as we believe technology should be a force for good. If you represent a charity and would like to discuss how we can support your mission, please reach out to us at support@fitr.training to discuss options.
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