Ben Garard is a CF-L2 coach, former Individual CrossFit Games athlete, and coach of a multiple-time CrossFit Games podium finisher. He’s also coached both male and female athletes at the CrossFit Games Semi-Final level, working with some of Australia’s top 20 performers. Beyond coaching, Ben is the Competition Director of Battle of Benton and the 98 Games, bringing elite-level insight into event creation, athlete experience and performance standards.

With over 22 years of experience and 13 years as a gym owner, Ben’s coaching is built on excellence, authenticity, and deep connection. Holding a Diploma of Fitness (Fitness Institute Australia), CF-L1 and CF-L2 certifications, and NLP training, he blends technical precision with elite-level mindset coaching. Raised in the Southern Highlands and Illawarra region, Ben represented Australia in CrossFit, Touch Football, and Hockey. Community-driven and energetic, Ben leads by example, creating connection, trust and performance at every level.

Lizzy Garard is a gym owner of 10 years, AIPT-certified personal trainer, CrossFit coach, certified CrossFit nutrition coach, fitness event coordinator, and mum with over a decade of experience in the fitness industry. She has dedicated her career to helping others create positive change through movement.
As a part owner of Benton Gym and the owner of 98 Coal Coast, Lizzy has built a thriving community centred on progress, connection, and genuine care. Her people-first approach blends evidence based coaching with real world experience to help clients achieve sustainable, long term results.
Beyond the gym, Lizzy coordinates major fitness events including Battle of Benton, Battle of the Ages, and The 98 Games. With a Bachelor of Public Health and a passion for health, wellness, and disease prevention, Lizzy continues to empower others to live stronger, healthier, and more balanced lives.

Emma helps people build muscle, train hard, and stay strong for the long game. She’s all about creating intensity that challenges your body without burning it out.

Strength for Emma isn’t just aesthetics; it’s confidence, resilience, and feeling powerful in your own body.

Her approach blends challenging training with recovery, simple nutrition, and stress management, because balance creates the best opportunies for people to thrive.

Emma specialises in working with women navigating life’s shifts, work, family, hormones & bringing them back to the fundamentals of health.

Katie is a certified Personal Trainer, Fitness specialist and Yoga teacher sporting 20 years within the Health and Fitness industry, 7 of which was in the role of a Sport & Fitness TAFE teacher.

Calling upon her training as a Yoga teacher, she is completely invested in her clients overall health and fitness goals with a strong alignment to mobility and functionality.

Katie’s passion within the fitness industry extends to local, national and international events. Some of her projects include joining Pat Farmer, ultra marathon runner, as his PA, Crew & Logistics Manager and Trainer on his Pole to Pole Run, Middle East Peace Run, Spirit of India Run and his most recent tun around Australia for The Voice. She has played a crucial role in the development of the now established Wollongong Running Festival among other local sporting events in support of various charities.

Katie believes that above all, community is the base of any individual or team success and is passionate about fostering that in order to create the optimal environment for people to learn, grow and work toward their holistic health and fitness goals.

James was born and raised just north of London, and grew up playing rugby and competing in athletics through which his passion for sport and training was ignited. This drew him to join the Army and, ultimately, the Parachute Regiment, the only direct-entry Army unit with a physical selection test, with which he deployed on multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. Like many he caught the Crossfit bug in the early 2010s, which awoke his interest in coaching and programming, and led him on the path to commanding Pegasus Company, training and selecting the next generation of British Paratroopers. During this time, James completed the Gym Jones level 1 course, and spent a month training in 98 Riley Street whilst on a trip to Sydney visiting his then-girlfriend (now wife!). These experiences influenced him more than he really appreciated at the time…

What resonated most with James over the years was the Gym Jones “mind is primary” ethos, as well as the Parachute Regiment’s principle of “train to pass, don’t test to fail”. These determine his training and coaching philosophy today, which is what he will bring to 98.

My fitness journey started as soon as my parents could enrol me in swimming lessons that led to athletics, athletics to football, football to the fitness industry, which sparked my passion as a coach/trainer/programmer. I have been in the industry since 2012 in which time I owned a CrossFit gym for 4 years and only moved away from that when I became a Full-Time FireFighter. But my passion for helping people achieve and surpass their fitness goals has always been with me. I believe fitness is for everyone and while people have different goals, skills, levels we can all strive to be the best versions we can and have a few laughs along the way.

Born and raised in Canberra, ACT, Drew Southwell has been passionate about fitness and physical performance his entire life. An avid Rugby Union lover, Drew played the game at a senior level from 2005 to 2019, including being selected to play for the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship in 2014. His dedication to the sport shaped his commitment to training and fitness, motivating him with his career in education and coaching.

Drew’s journey into health and fitness took a transformative turn during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 when he discovered the 98 program. Since then, he has been following the program, appreciating its structured training methods that keep him feeling like an athlete, even after retiring from rugby. Drew believes in the profound impact that physical activity can have, not only on the body but also on mental health. He understands that consistency in training is key to unlocking long-term physical and mental benefits, building resilience and creating a balanced, sustainable approach to fitness.

Teaching since 2011, Drew has a strong passion for helping people achieve their goals, whether it’s improving fitness, overcoming obstacles, or finding the motivation to push through challenges. With his educational background in physical education and sports development, along with his Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Drew has honed his skills in coaching and guiding individuals to become the best versions of themselves.