Bill Leahy was on track to make the CrossFit Games at the 2024 West Coast Classic.
Then, in an instant, everything changed. During the third of six events, Leahy was completing his final round of tall box jump-overs.
He jumped awkwardly and glanced behind him, thinking he had kicked his judge. When he saw no one there, he realized the devastating truth – he had ruptured his Achilles tendon.
- Just like that, his dream was on hold and his future was in question. Remarkably, he still managed to finish the workout in fifth place. The grit he showed that day bodes well for his future.
Fast-forward less than a year, and Leahy is doing more than rehabbing; he’s returning with a vengeance.
In arguably the most competitive season ever to qualify for the Games, the 24-year-old is not only back to competing but also back in contention.
He finished 34th in the world in the 2025 Open, a result that even surprised him.
- “They were all one-and-done,” he told Morning Chalk Up. “I trained through it, basically. I missed five or six months of real training, so overall, I was happy with how I performed.”
The Road Ahead
Leahy understands that even small imbalances in CrossFit can lead to significant problems.
While his overall fitness and strength are strong, specific movements, such as pistols and high-volume shuttle runs, still feel off.
- “After a big set of box jump overs, I can feel it. My right quad burns because I’m leaning that way, trying to protect my left foot while stepping down,” he explained. “That’s not where I want to be, but it’s improving. Pushing off that back foot has gotten better.”
One of the biggest post-surgery hurdles has been regaining ankle dorsiflexion, a common issue with Achilles injuries. Scar tissue can limit the range of motion, impacting everything from squatting to running mechanics.
- “Luckily, my ankles were hyper-flexible before,” he said. “I’ve tested it — my left isn’t as good as the right, but it’s still better than average. It’s just about retraining the patterns now.”
He is candid about his limitations, but he does not make excuses. His focus is now on building confidence under fatigue, especially in dynamic movements such as shuttle runs and box jump overs.
- “The biggest thing is making sure my foot is ready for anything,” Leahy said. “Heavy lifts, long runs, pistols…it’s about preparing for the test, not necessarily fixing a large hole.”
Leahy signed as an Adidas athlete before his injury and has had their support throughout his recovery process.
No Coach, No Camp
Leahy’s approach is unique in the modern version of CrossFit.
In a sport increasingly dominated by training camps and high-profile coaches, Leahy is an outlier. He has always done his own programming.
That has evolved into the IV Method, a program he developed and refined over time.
- “I’ve never had a coach,” Leahy says on Instagram. “That’s not a knock on coaching – it’s just how I’ve always approached training. I know my body and what it needs.”
It’s a philosophy that’s worked. After playing high school basketball, Leahy discovered CrossFit and realized he could compete to be one of the best. He was poised to break through until an injury derailed the season. He underwent surgery in June and spent much of the next five months focused solely on recovery.
Measuring Success
Leahy’s goal is to qualify for the CrossFit Games through the In-Affiliate Semifinals this weekend and then compete at the Fittest Experience in Oklahoma City, May 16-18.
- “I want to make the CrossFit Games. Nothing more, nothing less,” Leahy says. “To hit that low of a low, then fight back within a year and finish top 30 in the world – that would be an incredibly successful year. And honestly, it would prove a lot of people wrong.”
He’s also eyeing the NorCal Classic, June 6-8, if necessary, followed by the World Fitness Project qualifier in July.
With most major injuries, the last piece to a full recovery is trusting oneself. The comeback is in process, and his mindset is shifting.
- “My body is more ready than I probably give it credit for,” Leahy said. “You spend nine months moving a certain way, compensating, and now it’s time to get even, symmetrical, and trust it again. That’s the hard part…trusting it.”
The Bottom Line
Bill Leahy is writing his own comeback story.
A trip to the Games in 2025 after a major injury would be considered a massive success by any account. He is relying on the qualities that have brought him this far – his discipline, drive, and humble self-confidence.
The long road back may just lead him straight to Albany.
More CrossFit Stories
- “Respect the Gift”: James Scharnick’s CrossFit Comeback Story
- Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr and PRVN Want To Take Over HYROX
- 2025 CrossFit Games Roster – Who Has Qualified So Far?
Featured image: @marc_costaa / Instagram
