When Andrea Unwin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, doctors doubted she’d ever live without a wheelchair.
Instead, she redefined her limits — stepping onto the CrossFit Games floor in 2025 and serving on ATA’s Board of Directors to ensure adaptive athletes everywhere have access to sport.
This is her story of resilience, competition, and impact.
When Andrea Unwin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in September 2017, her life changed overnight. One day she was writing, typing, and walking normally; the next, she faced the frightening reality of losing control of her own body.
“I spent the entire six months thinking, ‘I’m fine so long as it’s not MS,’” Andrea recalls. But the scans confirmed it. And while her journey with MS began in fear, it has since transformed into a powerful example of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.
From Law Firm Hours to Life with Intention
At the time of her diagnosis, Andrea was working 100-hour weeks at an American law firm (Andrea lives in England). Her lifestyle of stress and fatigue had pushed her to the brink. A lesion on her brain stem, likely triggered by exhaustion, forced her to confront reality.
“My doctor couldn’t believe I wasn’t wheelchair bound. So I saw this as my last chance warning to change my lifestyle.”
That wake-up call led Andrea away from a career that was draining her and toward a life of health, movement, and meaning. She found CrossFit after a friend suggested trying “this crazy sport,” a community and challenge that quickly became her path to a new beginning. What began as intimidation (“it took me a month to pluck up the courage to join”) soon became a platform for her growth.
Athlete and Advocate
Fast forward to 2025: Andrea stepped onto the floor of the CrossFit Games as an adaptive athlete (one of fewer than 10 athletes to make it to the final stage in her division!). For her, competing is about much more than medals.
“It’s the only time I get to be in a situation where having an impairment is the norm and disabled people are the majority. It gives me reassurance that however my MS progresses, I’m going to be absolutely fine.”
Competing also sends a message. Andrea wants others who have just been diagnosed with MS, a stroke, or any disabling condition to see what’s possible.
“I compete to show people what you CAN do when you have MS or a disability. Hopefully it gives people some comfort, especially for those who, like me, are just thrown into this world overnight.”
This year, Andrea embraced the CrossFit mantra “it’s you vs you” more than ever before. “For me, it’s me vs me and the MS” she says.
“The moment I stopped comparing myself to others was the moment I really started to enjoy CrossFit. Plus, life is just too short…so ‘do the damn thing’ is my new motto.”
Leadership with ATA
Andrea’s influence extends far beyond competition. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Adaptive Training Academy (ATA), she is shaping the future of adaptive fitness and accessibility. “Serving on the ATA board is in part selfish, as I want to feel I can help bring about change in some way,” Andrea admits with honesty.
Initially, she saw adaptive sport only through the competitive lens. But as she connected with the community, her perspective shifted. “Competitive adaptive sport is actually 1% of adaptive sport. What truly matters is allowing all adaptive athletes access to sport and giving them the opportunity to improve their lives through it.”
Andrea recognizes the gap that exists in the UK compared to the US in providing opportunities for adaptive athletes. Through her work with ATA, she’s committed to raising awareness, educating others, and giving hope to people who may feel their lives are defined by diagnosis.
Living the Example
MS doesn’t define Andrea, but it is a constant reminder. She admits it’s always in her thoughts, but she chooses to meet it with intention. “Whilst I’d of course prefer not to have it, it’s made me appreciate life more. It’s given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had, like Wodapalooza, the Games, and meeting incredible friends.”
From stepping onto the CrossFit Games competition floor to swimming across the Arctic Circle, to working on ATA’s non-profit board, Andrea is living proof of the impact one person can make. She carries her diagnosis, her sport, and her leadership with authenticity and courage — and in doing so, she gives others permission to believe in what’s possible.
Because, as Andrea puts it:
“Life is just too short — so do the damn thing.”
📲 Follow Andrea’s journey: Andrea on IG
