The Team
Philosophy and Background
I’m the founder and owner of Pinnacle Performance. Having spent 14 years in the British Army, I’ve worked and trained in places far and wide. I’m 100% dedicated to each member’s needs and enjoy the challenge of helping them achieve their goals and targets using not only an evidence-based but also a holistic approach to training.
Qualifications
- Masters Dip in Personal Training
- UKSCA L1 Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Running Technique (Premier Training International)
- VDOT Certified Distance Running Coach
- Leadership in Running Fitness
- Advanced Nutrition for Physical Performance & Weight Management
- Intermediate Optimising Fitness for Paddlesport Tutor
- Management of lower back pain trainer
- Special Populations including Diabetes, Obesity, asthma and orthopaedic conditions
- CRB Checked ( Multiple Locations )
- Sports Safeguarding & Protecting Children
- Level 3 Coach (Inland Kayak) 5 Star Trained 3 Star Assessor
- CRB DBS Cleared (Multiple Locations)
Experience
Owner and Founder of Pinnacle Performance. Founded in 2011. Mission to provide an elite, industry-leading health & fitness/strength & conditioning coaching and consultancy service.
Andy has aspirations of becoming a speaker to help businesses, educate and motivate with his experiences of his time in the British Army, owning a successful business, and completing almost unachievable endurance challenges.
Recent Challenge and one of his most outstanding achievements so far is running and riding 10 back-to-back Ultra Duathlons from Morocco to Southampton in just 10 days, that’s a 100-mile bike ride and a marathon every day.
Le Tour Du Cash for Kids 10 Duathlons 10 Days 2040km, Run 22km – Ride 160km – Run 22km every day.
Previously, he ran a sub-3-hour marathon in Bournemouth, wearing only sandals. The year prior, he ran 7 marathons in 7 days barefoot-style around Hampshire.
During these feats, as well as bolt-on events, Andy has raised tens of thousands of pounds!
Andy works as a professional coach at Pinnacle Performance in Hamble a 5000sqft gym that provides coaching to all levels from Olympians, Aspiring Athletes, Youth Athletes, and people that want to make a full-time commitment to long-term health.
He works with an incredible team who have years of experience in the industry. Andy works tirelessly on his business, delivering strength training and running programmes.
A certified VDOT distance running coach, Andy is also a Team GB Age Group Duathlete who is dedicated to his sport and the runners he coaches.
Currently, he’s training towards 2 World Championships and 2 European Championships in 2020. Going forward he’s got big plans for a challenge of a lifetime in 2021.
Athletes I currently work with or have done in the past: Louis Sinclair (Oracle Team USA), Simon Fisher, Justin Slattery (Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Team), Robert Greenhalgh (Mapfre Ocean Racing Team), Peter Greenhalgh (The Wave Extreme Sailing Series), Hannah Diamond (Crew – Nacra 17 Olympic Class – Volvo Ocean Race – Vestas), Andrew Tarboton (Crew – 49er SA), David Bartholomew (Tokoloshe), Alexandrea Rickham and Niki Birrell (Scud Olympic Class), Kees Postman (Clipper), Joanne Hamilton-Vale (Sup). This ongoing and exciting……..
What I get up to:
2015
Ran 7 marathons in 7 days barefoot with three friends, covering over 275 kilometres across Hampshire and Surrey. Raised £9700 for the Paediatric High Dependency Unit at Southampton General Hospital. Challenge finished on 27 September 2015.
2016
Achieved a personal best marathon time of 2 hours 59 minutes at the Bournemouth Marathon Festival, wearing Luna Sandals. Also broke personal records in the 5k, 10k and half-marathon distances.
2017
Injuries forced a break from running. Took up cycling, which led to competing in duathlons. Qualified for the Great Britain Age Group Duathlon Team.
2018
Placed 3rd overall and 2nd in age group at the first duathlon in March. Qualified for the European Middle Distance Championships in Vejle, Denmark. Finished 8th in age group and was 1st British athlete in that category. Later qualified for the ITU Long Distance World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland, finishing 14th in the world in age group.
2019
Continued racing duathlons and representing Team GB. Focused on balancing competition with building Pinnacle Performance and family life.
2020
Pinnacle Performance facility temporarily closed during national lockdowns. Shifted focus to supporting members remotely. Adapted to online coaching and content delivery.
2021
Continued to develop Pinnacle Performance online services. Resumed some racing activity. Business started recovering post-pandemic with a renewed focus on member support and community.
2022
Expanded coaching frameworks within Pinnacle Performance. Supported the growth of new coaches and services. Continued racing locally and internationally.
2023
On 19 March, won a European bronze medal at the Standard Distance Duathlon Championships. Later that year, I placed 10th in the world at the World Duathlon Championships. Continued racing and coaching while contributing to the strategic development of Brownlee Fitness as Chief Operating Officer.
2024
Dealt with a significant flood at Pinnacle Performance HQ in April. Pivoted quickly to support the community and keep the business afloat. Launched the rebuild process. Took lessons from adversity and began focusing on developing scalable online coaching systems.
2025
Launched the Pinnacle Performance online coaching platform. Introduced structured programmes for hybrid athletes, fat loss, muscle building and more. Started The Pinnacle Pod to share insight and build community. Continued work with Brownlee Fitness USA and personal development projects, including writing a memoir and building Andy McGhee Coaching as a separate brand.
Daniel Smith
Philosophy and Background
I believe exercise to be a form of medicine, whereby an optimal dose is required in order to maximise the response and it’s effects on the body. My methods allow for better results in less training time, freeing up more time for clients to enjoy their improved health, fitness, and appearance doing other things. As a coach, I utilize my education in sport & exercise science to deliver evidence-based programs that are individually designed to help clients understand their personal goals, whilst ensuring success in attaining these goals and far beyond.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Applied Sport & Exercise Science Degree
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S – National Strength & Conditioning Association)
- The Register of Exercise Professional (REPs) Level 3 Certification
- UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Level 2 Certification: Weightlifting for Sports Performance, Plyometrics, Speed & Agility, Development, Planning Effective Programmes
- Sports Massage Therapy Certification
Experience
I have worked with a variety of individuals from numerous training backgrounds and lifestyles with varying levels of experience, ranging from professional athletes to first time trainees. I’ve previously worked as a sport scientist for the professional football team, Reading FC. My areas of expertise include but are not limited to: optimising body composition, muscular development, strength and power enhancement, injury pre-habilitation, flexibility improvement and cardiovascular health. I provide a comprehensive service in terms of the initial consultation and assessment, followed by intricate programming and regular correspondence, which in turn increases compliance with your training, producing quick results and progress towards achieving your goals.
Jamie Gabbidon
Philosophy and Background
I view strength and conditioning as something for everyone, and will strive to find the right balance and formulas to ensure the client is continually progressing, while enjoying their training experience at the same time. I am able to achieve this with my background and experience in a variety of different sports and training methods. I will ensure I am helping clients find the right goals to work towards in conjunction with the appropriate exercise and nutrition guidelines, while also providing input into what I feel they have the potential to achieve. I feel it is important that clients remain realistic with their expectations and continue to take steps forward as this is what will ultimately get them to where they want to be, and more importantly, keep them there. I have an open mind to all the information out there in terms of exercise and nutrition and will research and experiment with what I find to ensure I am giving clients the correct feedback and guidance.
Qualifications
- B.A (Hons) Degree in Sport and Fitness Management
- The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Level 3 Certification in Personal Training
Experience
On a personal level I have competed and won medals at a County standard as a 100m sprinter, while developing a greater understanding of Strength and Conditioning to take my performance to a progressive higher level. My experience has given me confidence and a greater understanding how to attain better results in a multitude of areas including body composition, strength training, flexibility and mobility, pre and rehabilitation and effective planning in peaking for major competition. I have been fortunate enough to train people in numerous sports including Running, Football, Rugby, Golf, Triathlon, Sailing and Strongman / Woman. Those experiences have enabled me to become more efficient in my planning for clients and enable them to achieve their objectives quicker.
Michael Hatch
Philosophy and Background
I believe in a holistic approach to strength and conditioning using a simple meaning of coaching the client towards all round better health through intelligent movement and natural means. My methods of coaching are very methodical and individualised tailored for your goals and needs. Whether it being strong as an ox, fast as a cheater, looking like a Greek god, or improving your posture I am here to help you in your journey in health and well-being and remember this, exercise is the drug of choice.
Qualifications
CHEK exercise coach
CHEK holistic lifestyle coach level 1
CHEK Scientific back training
CHEK Scientific core training
CHEK medicine ball training
CHEK advances Swissball for rehabilitation
Level 3 personal trainer
Experience
I have always enjoyed competing in various sports like football rugby cricket in my youth, and learning new ways of training myself and my clients. Currently, I aim ing to strong as I can be at a current bodyweight in the main lifts. Throughout my career, I have helped many clients with their sports like cycling, basketball, boxing, and running as well as help clients get out of back pain, improve their posture, weight loss, and general fitness level.
Most recently I love working with our brave men and women in the navy, army, health service and police forces using methods of training that have learned through course, reading, lecture, and practising in my own training, to help them be better in the field of expertise.
George Butler
Philosophy and Background
Coming Soon
Qualifications
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Coming Soon
Experience
Coming Soon
Ben Simmons
Philosophy and Background
Recovery is more than fixing an injury – it’s about restoring confidence, movement, and quality of life. My approach focuses on the whole person, not just the problem area, blending hands-on treatment with rehab training and education so every client understands their path forward. I believe in creating practical, personalised plans that fit real lives and tangible goals, whether that means returning to sport, overcoming daily pain, or simply moving better.
With a background in Sport and Exercise Therapy (BSc) and years of experience in both clinical and gym environments, I’ve worked with a wide range of individuals – from Olympic athletes to those managing long-term conditions. My own passions for kayaking, golf, powerlifting, and snowboarding give me a deep appreciation of how important it is to stay active and enjoy movement at every level. This shapes everything I do in helping others recover, perform, and thrive.
Qualifications
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BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
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Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF)
Experience
My experience spans both clinical practice and a lifelong involvement in sport and fitness. Over the years, I’ve trained and competed in a variety of sports, including kayaking, golf, powerlifting, snowboarding, and Japanese Jujitsu, where I also gained valuable experience as an instructor. These activities have shaped my understanding of movement, resilience, and the demands different sports place on the body.
While studying Sport and Exercise Therapy at Southampton Solent University, I worked at the London Marathon, supporting runners through Guy’s Cancer Charity. This gave me firsthand insight into managing injuries and recovery during high-pressure events. I also volunteered at numerous challenging local events and endurance runs, helping participants stay mobile and perform at their best.
Emma Drackford – BA Hons, IOPN, PN1
Philosophy and Background
Emma works with clients on a range of issues, providing practical solutions that fit with their lifestyles. As well as general nutrition qualifications she also has a specialism in sports and exercise nutrition.
Qualifications
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Common issues she helps clients with are:
- sustainable weight loss or muscle growth – setting up a diet that gets results in all of the right places, and teaching clients how to sustain those results for life
- perimenopause/menopause issues – helping to reduce symptoms and manage weight and bodyfat around their waistline
- food sensitivities – identifying the cause of the issue and designing a diet that works for them
- lowering cholesterol levels and high blood pressure following a diagnosis by a GP, helping clients to avoid lifelong medications
- reversing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and teaching clients how to manage their blood sugar levels
- working with type 1 diabetics to manage their weight and teaching them how to manage their condition safely.
- Improving mood, focus and energy – structuring clients’ diets to lift mood, increase focus and productivity, and improve overall health so that they can live the life that they want to live.
Experience
She has also worked with athletes across a range of sports and abilities including general fitness enthusiasts, runners, sailors, taekwondo athletes, duathletes, bodybuilders, MMA fighters, strongman competitors and powerlifters, helping to optimize their diet so they make weight safely when needed whilst optimising performance.
Her goal is to dispel nutrition myths and empower people to make healthy choices, whilst giving them the knowledge to be able to eat the foods they enjoy without derailing their progress.
Harry Cook
Philosophy and Background
I believe Strength and Conditioning should be seen as being something that is a permanent part of everybody’s daily schedule no matter their current fitness or sporting background, in order to not only develop physical health but also aid massively in improving mental health, something that is overlooked in todays society. One way in achieving this is by providing in-depth, individualised programmes that can push people to and way beyond their own goals.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Science (Ongoing)
- Level 1 Fitness Instructing
Experience
Sport has been a huge part of my life ever since I started school and has become a massive passion of mine. Football in particular became a hobby that ended up taking huge proportions of my life eventually playing at a respectable standard in the South Coasts Wessex League.
I have been involved with Pinnacle since the summer of 2016 where I took part in my work experience here and instantly gained a huge passion for Strength & Conditioning. I then started working for Pinnacle in 2018 when they opened the new state-of-the-art gym facility. In the short time being here I have been learning and developing my understanding of the industry, gaining experience in coaching clients from a variety of backgrounds ranging from young college clients with no previous sporting background to athletes competing at a very high standard of sailing.
Ben Powell
Philosophy and Background
Importance of accessing and maintaining functional movement
I believe functional movement is the foundation of true strength, not just in sport, but in life.
It’s about training the body to move the way it was designed to: efficiently, powerfully, and without pain.
For athletes, it supports performance and injury prevention. For everyday life, it means moving freely, feeling strong, and staying capable long-term.
Fitness isn’t just about how much you can lift or how fast you can move; it’s about building a body that supports you in everything you do, inside and outside the gym.
Qualifications
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Level 2 fitness instructor
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Level 3 personal trainer
Experience
Mindset is the unseen force that drives success in sports, fitness, and life.
In sport, it’s the ability to stay focused under pressure, bounce back from failure, and stay committed to the process.
In fitness, it’s what keeps you showing up, especially on the days you don’t feel like it, and that is where the resilience builds.
The same qualities, discipline, patience, and mental toughness, are just as essential in everyday life. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, overcoming a setback, or navigating life’s challenges, a strong mindset is what keeps you moving forward. It’s not just about how strong your body is—it’s about how strong your thinking is.
The fascinating positive side effects of setting goals and completing them, hitting the setbacks and overcoming them and challenging yourself and achieving it bleed over to all aspects of life and make you a more confident and resilient person, which I believe is a good place for everyone to aspire to get to personally, one small win at a time.
My own experience and how this relates to all walks of life.
All of this comes from my personal experience in a lifetime of activity, sports and fitness—competing in many sports over the years, Judo, Basketball, Rugby and Sailing. In my spare time, I would partake in leisure activities such as skiing, archery, kayaking, paddleboarding, and tough mudders, to name a few. I have discovered a lot about myself and others along the way, which is incredibly valuable to being the best personal trainer I can be.
Not just from maintaining discipline for myself, but also on how to work well as a team, a saying that stays with me is ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’. I think it is the perfect way to describe the importance of not just succeeding for yourself, but also for others, and for everyone to reach a better place.
This especially became apparent when I worked as a fitness instructor for several rugby clubs, seeing the progress from pre-season through to the end, the performance increase, the injury rate lowering, the team camaraderie elevated and the results spoke for themselves.
Movement and fitness at all levels is something that I firmly believe builds great character, community and a positive place for all to thrive in, especially with the ethos Pinnacle Performance provides.