From disgraced to decorated, Ricky Garard’s story is one of the most compelling in CrossFit history.
Once banned for doping, now a serious contender again for the title of Fittest on Earth—his journey is a testament to perseverance, personal growth, and raw determination.
But who is Ricky Garard beyond the headlines? And how did he fight his way back from infamy to the top ranks of the sport?
This article dives deep into his controversial past, his long-awaited comeback, and what’s driving his relentless pursuit of redemption.
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From Rising Star to Outcast
Ricky Garard burst onto the CrossFit scene with explosive athleticism and an unmistakable hunger to win. Hailing from Wollongong, New South Wales, he grew up in a fiercely competitive household as the youngest of four, with a father who played professional footy and siblings who never let him win anything without a fight.
By the time he was 21, Ricky had nearly made it to the top tier of Australian rugby. But CrossFit called to him. After watching his brother Ben compete at the 2015 CrossFit Games, Ricky was all in. “Literally after I watched that, I was like, yeah, this is what I want to do—I want to be the Fittest Man on Earth,” he said.
In 2017, Garard made a massive splash in his Games debut, taking third place and turning heads. But just weeks later, news broke: he’d tested positive for banned substances. A four-year suspension followed, and Ricky was cast out of the sport.
Four Years in the Wilderness
Many wrote him off. Others vilified him.
But while the world moved on, Garard was grinding—quietly, obsessively, and without any guarantee of redemption. “My reward was always so far away,” he said. “It makes it really difficult to turn up each day and put in the work.” But he did, anyway.
Far from CrossFit’s spotlight, Garard kept training. He stayed fit. And he waited. He would later admit the mental toll was heavy. “I remember texting Adam and I was like, I’m done. I’m not good enough. I don’t know if I’ll ever be.”
But those moments didn’t define him. What did was his decision to keep going.
The Return: Proving It the Right Way
When Ricky Garard returned to competition in 2022, the whispers were deafening. Would he be welcomed back? Could he even compete at that level again?
He didn’t care.
“I didn’t give a [expletive] who was cheering for me or what people were saying,” he said. “I was just so determined and focused to come back and try and win.” He came close—finishing third in his first year back, this time clean, validated, and unstoppable.
Setbacks and Setups
Garard’s 2023 season was poised to be his best. Then, a mountain biking accident derailed it all. A damaged shoulder required surgery and forced him to miss the entire competitive year. “If I was to stay healthy, I still believe I could have won that year,” he reflected.
The setback fueled him.
In 2024, he stormed back, winning the Torian Pro and competing fiercely at the CrossFit Games—even while battling a bacterial infection he picked up swimming in a lake. Despite not being at full strength, he pushed through.
Then came Rogue Invitational 2024—his second victory at the event, and a powerful reminder: Ricky Garard is still evolving.
More Than Physical: Mental Toughness and Support
While his physical prowess is obvious, Garard’s resilience may be his biggest weapon. He credits much of his mental transformation to time spent training alone in his parents’ garage post-Games. “Being in a garage sometimes by yourself—actually I think that made me tougher,” he said.
He’s also open about a medical condition that’s plagued him for years—microscopic colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that’s made training and competition a nightmare. “I’ve been basically competing sick for my whole career,” he revealed. But a new medication changed everything. “After one dose of that, I felt like a new person.”
Now, for the first time in years, Garard can train and compete pain-free.
A New Team, A New Level
Another major shift? His coaching team. Ricky recently joined the Proven team, working closely with Shane Orr and Tia-Clair Toomey, arguably the most successful duo in the sport.
“I’ve only been working with them for a short time, but once we put some good training blocks in, I think you’ll see the next level of Ricky,” he said. The results are already showing—better performance, stronger lifts, and a more composed mindset in high-pressure moments.
Eyes on the Future
Now 30, Garard isn’t just hungry—he’s laser-focused. The 2025 season is packed, with both the CrossFit Games and the new WFP league offering more opportunities for elite competition.
“There’s nothing left to chance,” his team says. “It’s all the fine details now—nutrition, recovery, what’s between the ears. Fitness-wise, he’s got it all.”
Garard knows the window may be closing, but he’s not done. Not even close. He’s not just chasing medals anymore—he’s chasing a legacy.
“Being the world champion is the goal. The success from that, and the feelings I’ll have from achieving that, and everything I’ve been through over the last 12 years—it’s something I feel like I could live on for the rest of my life.”
More Than a Comeback
Ricky Garard’s story isn’t about a cheater turned champion.
It’s about a man who took responsibility for his past, fought his way back, and continues to prove that redemption is possible—with work, with grit, and with relentless belief in himself.
From the garage in Wollongong to the CrossFit Games podium, Ricky Garard is a reminder that setbacks don’t define you—your response does. And in 2025, the world better be ready.
He’s not done.
He’s just getting started.
