Daniel Ashcroft - Online Coach

Destined to never get the clips of my shield and bag throw, so here’s my little write up of my fist comp since August 2023

Firstly, I totalled up my training sessions done since Jacob was born on the 8th September and this show on the 17th Jan, and I managed 36 in 4 and a bit months, with my first event session happening on the 28th November. This isn’t a brag, or a feel sorry for me moment, just a note at how proud I am of my body, and my program (cheers for the help ) in being able to get me ready once again.

Right, lead up to comp was fun, everything I normally used to do was drastically altered by being a new dad, but that kind of made the whole process less important, and everything that was thrown at me I just rolled with, rather than panicking. A new me so to speak, won’t go into details, but I’ll tell ya if you ask 😂

Comp day came, was very vey nervous, loads of self doubt, but was all washed away with one swift tug of a deadlift bar. As soon as the lights were on me, it all came flooding back, and I was in my element once more, what a feeling. So, events I got on video -

Vid 1 - 260kg dead for reps - 8 reps = 2nd 🥈- maybe had 1 more, but had agreed with Mel to play it safe here, and not go for any risky reps, so I didn’t knacker my hip again, and be out for another 3 years. Happy with the set though

Vid 2 - 95kg log for reps in 60s - 9 reps - 2nd place 🥈- went as fast as I could, can’t viper anymore due to hip, so knew Conor would have me here. Didn’t run out of strength, just time

Vid 3 - 290kg yoke, 15m drop turn 15m - 18.6 seconds - 1st place 🥇- don’t get beaten on yoke, full stop 😂. Would have been faster, but almost lost my brace sledging the the MC on the way back.

Finished 2nd overall, had a great day, and just buzzing to be back. Thanks to and for a top day, and to everyone who has stuck by me these last 3 years, you are truly a great bunch.

And for those who thought my face was gone forever, your favourite worst nightmare has returned. I ain’t going no where.

Peace up ✌🏼 ⬆️ A-Town down, Flash out

Englands Strongest Man u80kg - 2nd Place 🥈

My word it feels good to be back

Just waiting for a few videos to be clipped up, will post a full write up when they are done, but just wanted to share a few of my favourite photos of the day.

Meant everything to have and Jacob there with me (Jacob is on a strict social media ban btw 😂), as well as my athlete and good pal and long term partner 😂. Had an absolute blast, and can’t wait to do it again

Oh yeah, comps hit different with a 4 month old. Some of these photos truly represent dad life 😂

Peace out, A Town down ✌🏼

teamSBDuk bench sbd squatbenchdeadlift weightlifting powerlifting strength strongman startingstrongman SBDapparel flashtag giantslive wsm

🌎 OSG worlds 🌎

Now the dust has settled on what was a crazy I just wanted to put an appreciation post to our incredible squad of athletes

The appreciation comes from me to you. Thank you for trusting me to coach and handle you through the biggest show of the year. I have only missed 1 OSG since its first iteration in 2017, and every year I learn so much more, so thank you. Just look at the amount of trophies in that photo, and we were missing Big 😂

This is just the photo of our finalists. Proving that is the home of strongman periodisation and strength and conditioning. So if you want to join us, visit the main page and DM the word REWIRE to get started.

Already buzzing for next year, let’s go team.

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This man deserves a grid post

Huge shout to on his debut, at the world tour final.

I have worked with Cal for over 5 years now, all the way from u90 through to opens. In that time he has won Scotlands Strongest Man u90, u105, u120kg and the open title, it was only right that he got to take his place on the big stage. He said to me even as an u90 athlete his aim was giants live, and here we are, so proud mate.

Took this invite on short notice, no prep time, but still showed he belonged. Can’t wait for Brits now, all we have to work on is his sense of direction and he could be dangerous (music choice especially for him).

Roll on 2026

🎵 Close your eyes, have no fear, the monster’s gone, he’s on the run, and your daddy’s here 🎵

On Monday 8th September, blessed me with the greatest gift, our first child, and I could not be happier

And although I get the hero picture, I am bursting with pride at how Mel coped, not just with pregnancy, but an unpredictable and at times scary labour. But in true fashion, she tackled it head on, and delivered us our little boy. I will forever be in your debt

Both mother and son are doing amazingly well, and we are getting accustomed to our new life at home. Can’t wait for what’s to come

For now, Flash out ✌🏼

Lifting?

On Wednesday evening last week, as my body has been feeling surprisingly decent, I decided to try and yolo some vids for Europes qualifiers. Gave me 2 days to get these done 😂.

Bit of context, since euros in August 2023, I have cleaned a log twice, picked a sandbag up once, and performed a standard deadlift from the floor zero times. In 2024, I also took 7 months totally off training, only restarting again in January this year.

Right excuses out the way, did I qualify? No. Am I proud of my body? F**k yeah, didn’t know I had it in me anymore. Did I win the log? Course I f**cking did 😂.

Now what this gives me is huge confidence for the future. I still need hip surgery, I still want hip surgery, but when that’s done, everyone’s in trouble, promise.

Log - 142.6kg
Dead - 240.9kg (maybe had more?)
Sandbag - 100kg x 8 rounds (if you ever wanna see a man hit a wall, watch this 😂)

See you all soon 😘😘.

Taken a few weeks, but the champs are here.

We took a big squad over to the Pro-am at the Arnolds in Ohio, bringing some hardware back in the process, crowning one new world champion.

The original bad lad took his maiden international win in the u80kg class. Years of hard work and dedication have gone into this, with myself just putting the cherry on top in terms of the last year of training, been a pleasure, and I’m sure there is more to come.

finished off one of the most decorated strongman careers, with a second placed finish in the u90s. Been a pleasure to coach this man in the twilight of his career, picking up some serious trophies in process. Gonna miss you as an athlete buddy.

And the man who is never off the podium managed to pick up 3rd place. Not the show he wanted, or deserved. But after battling a sickness bug, he still managed to pull a performance out. That’s 6 shows we have done together, all internationals, and he has hit the podium at every one.

Proud of every athlete that competed, been a great start to 2025 for the squad, and we are only just getting started.

🎤 🎤 Mic’d up strict log session 🎤 🎤

Decided to do a talk through during my strict log session 3 weeks ago. What do you think?

Session called for 6 doubles with 105kg. Running a phase I ran 4 years ago, right before I hit 155kg strict. And I must say, these are moving better than back then 👀.

Videos in set order, so set 1, then a little de-brief of the set, then set 2 etc etc. so get that volume turned up 🔈 and let me know what you think in the comments. Peace and love ✌🏼 ❤️





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🛑 Closing out my OSG content 🛑

As well as my podium finishers and top 10 success, team Flash also took out 6 incredible competitors to the big dance, some first timers, some returning, but everyone put in a performance and battled to the end. I know these dudes were striving to make finals, and change a few things here and there, and they would 100% be there. Whatever though, I’m always a proud dad.

first show for me and the bad lad. Getting him a lifetime deadlift PB, and on an axle nonetheless, still ranks as my proudest coaching memory of my career 😍

solid debut. Hope you now believe you are one of the top boys, told you you were. 11th this year, next year we smash into the top 10 💪🏼

few easily fixable things here, can’t wait to get working on them and get you the comp finishes you deserve 🤏🏼

who stuck the Mario kart banana skin in his lane on the medley? Yoke improvement was insane. If we can stay on our feet next year, podium for sure. 🍌

on debut, pulled a huge Pb on the axle and learnt so much. Just given you more hunger, and know exactly the level you need to be to be competitive ✌🏼

not your show, but doesn’t reflect on you as an athlete. 2nd at ASM and 3rd at Shaw does. Got a chance for instant redemption at the Arnold, and I know we taking that 🫶🏼

Bursting with pride at every single one of these guys performances. Not only their lifting, but the way they handled themselves all weekend, despite the disappointment, they hung around and supported their teammates, and proved not only are they great competitors, but great humans. Love y’all, mean it ❤️

3 more finalists.

As well as my podium finishers, team Flash also managed to bag 3 more top 10s at OSG, and I couldn’t happier for these guys.

managed top land her goal of top 5. So close to the podium this year, but I said to her, having moved to Australia in July, she now has access to one of the best strongman facilities in the huge improvement that she has shown in just 4 months training should really excite her. Event wins in the deadlift and bag toss, coupled with a 17.5kg log PB ain’t no thang.

In 7th in the lw masters was what a show, first time competing a medley at OSG, first finals made, and queen of the stones all in one comp. This on the back of Achilles surgery at the start of summer. We have come a long way this year, and absolutely can’t wait to see what her future holds in this class.

And in 7th in the u80 was
One of my fav strongmen to watch this guy. But we have worked hard behind the scenes on controlling the hype, and every single show we do, I am proud of how more polished his performances become, not only an aggressive lifter now, but a smart lifter, and he knows when to channel it, and when to let rip. Now a consistent OSG top 10 finisher, this lad will be around forever.

Congrats guys, can’t wait to see what next year holds for you. You were all so much fun to be around for the whole comp, loved every single second.

🥉Third at Worlds Strongest Man u80kg 🥉

Rounding out my podium finishers from OSG was who managed to hit 3rd in the u80kg class.

I am still in awe at how Josh even managed to turn up to OSG, and not only compete, but take down a podium spot. Not only the physical struggles he has ran into over the last few months, but the emotional and mental challenges he has faced have been absolutely monumental, and would have flooded most men. They aren’t my stories to tell, and I know Josh won’t either, but to say I am beyond proud of not just the athlete, but the incredible strong-man, would be an understatement. A huge amount of credit must go to his incredible wife Amanda as well, without her, none of this would have been possible, so thank you.

When Josh came to use for coaching 2 years ago, his one goal was to turn his top 5 performances into podiums. We have done just that, completing 5 international shows together (2x Arnold’s, PSL and 2x OSG) and have hit the podium at every show. We are now on track to complete the infinity gems at OSG next year 😂, and one thing is for sure, he will be there or thereabouts again.

So much more than a client Josh, a great friend, and as I said, unbelievably proud of you, and can’t wait to collect more pots on this crazy journey. But for now, you enjoy the holidays with your wife and babies. P.S, we always bring the heat on our feet, if you know, you know.