About

Get to Know Mimi

Mimi Paton laughing after a Hyrox race

My path into coaching didn't start in a gym. It started on the pitch, across three sports:

  • Hockey: English Schools, and a Diploma in Sporting Excellence through England Hockey at Loughborough College
  • Rugby Union: Sale Sharks Centre of Excellence, and university 1st team
  • Touch Rugby: 48 England caps and 6 international gold medals

That competitive background led me into fitness racing in an unexpected way: I broke my ankle on the rugby pitch, and started training for Hyrox as a way back to match fitness. I fell in love with it, and it's what I've focused on ever since: three Hyrox World Championships, and the 2025 Deka Fit and Deka Mile U25 World Championship title.

Mimi playing hockey Mimi playing rugby union Mimi playing touch rugby for England

I studied physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham before specialising in MSK outpatients within the NHS, where I still work today, a role that's taught me as much about patience, rehabilitation, and the realities of injury as competition has taught me about performance. I've also worked pitch-side as physio and S&C coach for Birmingham Moseley Women's Rugby Club, and alongside my clinical role I'm currently undertaking an additional research post within the NHS.

I hold a Level 2 gym instructor qualification and a Hyrox Foundation Coach certification, and I'm currently working towards my Level 3 personal training qualification and Level 4 advanced nutrition qualification. I currently coach small group personal training at Metabolic Birmingham, helping women who've never lifted before build strength and confidence safely. I believe a desire to keep learning is essential for every coach, so even once these qualifications are complete, I'll keep building my skillset to support my athletes as best I can.

Everything I do now (as a coach and as an athlete) is built on the same idea: performance and long-term health aren't in competition with each other. That belief became The Workhorse Project, and it's the foundation for every programme I write.

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