Conor Dorrans Advance Coach

JOSH STEELE 💪

When Josh first came to us, his goal was simple.

He wanted to pursue strongman and see just how far he could take it.

Since then, he’s lost 15kg, stepped onto the competition floor multiple times and faced challenges that would have stopped a lot of people in their tracks.

After dislocating his shoulder in his first novice competition, Josh could quite easily have packed it in.

Instead, he doubled down.

Months of rehab, rebuilding confidence and getting back to work eventually led to his next novice competition, where he placed 4th overall, won an event and finished joint 1st on another.

What impresses me most isn’t the results though.

Alongside training, Josh has started a new career path, gone into college studying sports coaching and still finds a way to consistently show up and put the work in.

Now don’t get me wrong, Josh isn’t perfect. Nutrition can sometimes be a battle and he has a habit of changing the goalposts on what his next goal is going to be 😂

But one thing I can say is that when Josh commits to something, he gives it everything he’s got.

His overhead has improved massively.
His deadlift is stronger.
His moving events are better than ever.

Most importantly, he’s become a huge part of the Advance community.

He’s always willing to help others, share advice and support anyone looking to improve themselves, whether that’s in strongman or general training.

The next step for us is continuing to bring bodyweight down, improve movement, refine technique and build towards even bigger things over the next year.

I’m excited to see what a full off-season can do.

Proud of you mate 👏

31 years of me and I’ve no changed a bit…

Every time we make it the picture comes back out

Let’s Go Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

AUGUST… HERE WE GO 🔥

Event 3 for Kilmarnock’s Strongest Novice is LOCKED IN:

⚔️ MAX FARMERS WEIGHT

⚖️ Women: Starting at 55kg per hand
⚖️ Men: Starting at 105kg per hand

You’ll be given the lift command and must carry the farmers handles down a 10 metre course without dropping them.

Rules are simple on this one:
⬆️ Farmers handles increase by 10kg each round
⏱️ 30 seconds per lift to complete the course
🚫 No straps
🚫 No tacky
✅ Chalk is allowed

Scoring is straightforward too…

🏆 Highest weight carried the full distance wins.

This event is all about grip, determination, and holding your nerve when the weight starts getting heavy. 💀

We’re now getting seriously close and the standards across the sign-ups already have been class.

🚨 Girls category has only a couple of spaces remaining.
🚨 Men’s category has around 5 spaces left.

If you’re thinking about entering, don’t leave it too late. Entries will be closing very soon, or sooner if all spaces are filled before the closing date.

This is shaping up to be an unreal day already 🔥

Sign up link below 👇

https://forms.gle/ANK3Lq5SboxJb

Tough mudder at the weekend with the absolute dream team

I’ve write enough big spiels about how much I love this side of what I do,

Hill walking
Paddle boarding
Obstacle courses
Group training sessions
Team Nights out
BBQs
Fight Nights
Competitions
Events
Cold dips

The list goes on and on, you will not find a single month of the year we are not partaking in something and I absolutely love it.

FeelGoodFromWithin UnlockYourPotential

AUGUST… HERE WE GO 🔥

Event 2 for Kilmarnock’s Strongest Novice is LOCKED IN:

⚔️ AXLE DEADLIFT FOR REPS

⚖️ Women: 110kg
⚖️ Men: 210kg

You’ll have 60 seconds to complete as many reps as possible.

Rules are simple on this one:
⬆️ Axle must go from floor to full lockout
🚫 No bounce reps
✅ Straps ARE allowed

Scoring is straightforward too…
🏆 Most reps wins.

This one is going to come down to grit, engine, and who can keep moving when everything starts screaming at them to stop. 💀

We’re now getting seriously close and the standards across the sign ups already have been class.

🚨 Girls category is nearly FULL
So if any women are still thinking about entering, don’t leave it too late.

Men’s category still has a few spaces left for anyone wanting to test themselves and get involved.

This is shaping up to be an unreal day already 🔥

Sign up link below 👇

https://forms.gle/ANK3Lq5SboxJbD

DEBBIE RAESIDE, ATHLETE ⚡️

Debster has been on this page a few times now, and honestly her journey has been one of the most remarkable I’ve seen in my whole time at Advance.

When Debbie first started, the main thing wasn’t even fat loss. It was about getting control back, creating routine again, and stopping the spiral before it got any worse. And to her credit, she wasted absolutely no time getting stuck in.

Three sessions a week, coffee slots, power hours, challenges, events, whatever was going on, Debster was involved. All whilst travelling from Cumnock to Kilmarnock without the luxury of a driving licence, which genuinely should never be underestimated. Especially after long shifts at work when most people would look for an excuse to sack the gym off. Debbie never really does.

We already know the steps are through the roof. We know she keeps active because she has no choice but to. But what’s impressed me most is the attitude towards it all.

During her time with us and Coach Scott, I’ve watched her throw herself into every challenge possible. From absolutely whipping everybody in the farmers grip at Girls vs Boys, probably from years of carrying shopping bags home, to completing TWO photoshoots in completely different styles, Wonder Woman one time, full Swifty gym gear the next.

Then there was Tough Mudder, another goal she set herself and followed through on with the team.

That’s the thing with Debster. If there’s a challenge there and she can make it work, she’s in.

What Debbie has built goes way beyond weight loss. She’s created better habits, better structure, more confidence, more purpose, and a lifestyle she can actually maintain whilst still enjoying her life too. That balance is massive.

She’s become a huge part of what we do at Advance and we appreciate her massively.

Whatever is next on the horizon for Debster, I’ve got absolutely no doubt she’ll throw herself into it and get the result she deserves, because one thing she never does is give up on herself.

Brilliant work Debster ❤️🔥