Santa Barbara Coach Advances National Presence with Breakthrough Performance

Santa Barbara, CA – November 18th 2025 Justin English, MS, CSCS — Founder & Performance Coach at Unbroken Health & Fitness , Strength & Conditioning Coach & Professor at Santa Barbara City College, and Coach at The Forge Santa Barbara — returned from Chicago this week after competing in the HYROX Men’s Open Solo competition, attending performance workshops, and connecting with industry professionals to advance his high-performance training programs in Santa Barbara. 

Competing among 1,625 male solo athletes, English placed in the top 25%, achieving a personal record of 1:16:16, over six minutes faster than his previous best of 1:22:54. With no support team on-site, travel-induced fatigue, and mid-race cramping, he credited his finish to the same mental and physiological strategies he teaches his clients and collegiate athletes. 

“I talk a lot about mental toughness, mindfulness, self efficacy and other concepts in sport psychology… and I used every tool in my tool belt this weekend. I slept horribly the night before the event, I cramped during the lunges, I had no support in Chicago because I was there alone… I could go on and on. The excuses are endless if you allow them to have space in your mind. I wanted to quit over and over again during the race. But I didn’t. I practiced what I preach. I used mindfulness to allow the negative thoughts to pass. I remained positive by taking the race in smaller sections. I pushed through the pain by coaching and encouraging myself. I remembered every athlete that I’ve ever worked with, and I worked harder for them.” 

— Justin English, MS, CSCS 

What is HYROX?

HYROX is a global fitness competition combining 8 x 1 km runs with 8 functional workout stations — including sled push, skierg, burpee broad jumps, row, farmer carry, lunges, and wall balls — performed consecutively for time. Designed to test strength, endurance, movement efficiency, and mental resilience, HYROX attracts athletes ranging from elite competitors to committed recreational performers. 

Bringing Chicago’s Lessons Back to Santa Barbara 

While in Chicago, English not only competed but also engaged with performance specialists, explored emerging strength and conditioning methodologies, and studied teaching and delivery techniques for elite athletes. As a graduate-level exercise scientist and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he is heavily involved in adapting evidence-based training to local athletes and adult populations. 

At The Forge Santa Barbara — a high-performance training facility in the heart of downtown — he coaches HYROX strength and conditioning sessions, hybrid training classes, and competitive prep. Justin aims to integrate newly gained experience into his coaching at The Forge. 

At Santa Barbara City College, he teaches strength and conditioning for athletes and leads performance development for the women's aquatics program, integrating his competitive experiences into classroom instruction and practical coaching. Justin will continue to utilize his experience as an elite water polo player and coach, while also blending newly tested principles in strength and conditioning to provide only the best for SBCC athletes. 

“This trip was more than competition — I was there as a coach, a professor, and a small business owner continuing to sharpen my craft and furthering my expertise in world class strength and conditioning.” 

— Justin English, MS, CSCS 

His company, Unbroken Health & Fitness, serves clients of all kinds through 1-on-1 personal training, corrective exercise, small-group strength and conditioning, and performance consultants. His clientele include Olympians, high school aquatic athletes, busy dads, C-level executives, postmenopausal women, and so many more. The Chicago trip further reinforced his commitment to leading by example. 

Looking Ahead: From Anaheim to Open Waters 

English is now preparing for HYROX Anaheim, targeting a sub-1:10 finish, alongside open-ocean endurance events this summer and a plethora of other competitions. His competitive focus mirrors his coaching philosophy. 

“My goals heading into Anaheim are to break 1:10, but more importantly, to live what I teach. My athletes and clients deserve a leader who not only talks about resilience and intelligent training — but embodies it.” 

— Justin English, MS, CSCS 

As a Santa Barbara-based performance coach, professor, and competitor, English remains dedicated to elevating human performance while teaching the psychological, biomechanical, and physiological aspects of athletic training. 

About Justin English 

Justin English, MS, CSCS 

● Founder & Performance Coach — Unbroken Health & Fitness LLC 

● Strength & Conditioning Coach & Professor — Santa Barbara City College 

● Performance Coach — The Forge Santa Barbara 

● M.S. Exercise Science, B.S. Sport Psychology 

● Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) 

● NASM CPT, CES, CNC, PES 

About Unbroken Health & Fitness 

Unbroken Health & Fitness is a Santa Barbara-based performance and wellness company specializing in corrective exercise, elite sport-specific strength and conditioning, hybrid competition training, and long-term athletic health. Through individualized coaching, applied 

evidence-based methods, and educational integration, English supports athletes, post-aquatic professionals, and high-performance adults. 

To learn more about coaching, performance programming, or Justin’s story — visit: www.UnbrokenHealthandFitness.com