About

Get to Know Mimi

Mimi Paton, Hyrox World Championship athlete and personal trainer in Birmingham, celebrating after a race

My path into coaching didn't start in a gym. It started on the pitch, across three different 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, with key highlights including: three Hyrox World Championships, and the 2025 Deka Fit and Deka Mile U25 World Championship title.

Mimi Paton playing hockey Mimi Paton playing rugby union Mimi Paton 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. It's a role that's taught me a lot about patience, rehabilitation, and the realities of healthcare. Alongside my clinical role, I'm currently undertaking an additional research post within the NHS, helping me develop my wider understanding of evidence-based practice. I've also worked pitch-side as a physiotherapist and S&C coach for Birmingham Moseley Women's Rugby Club, gaining experience in sport-specific rehabilitation, acute injury management and return to play.

I hold a Level 2 gym instructor qualification, a Level 3 personal training qualification, and a Hyrox Foundation Coach certification, and I'm currently working towards my Level 4 advanced nutrition qualification. I coach in-person group PT at Metabolic Birmingham, delivering small group strength and conditioning. I believe a desire to keep learning is essential for every coach, so even once my Level 4 is complete, I'll keep building my skillset to support my athletes as best I can.

Everything I do now (as a physio, a coach and 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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