Go Hard or Go Home cast: Meet the Trainees

On Go Hard or Go Home, contestants are young people who are stuck in a rut in their lives and want to make huge changes. They want to break through issues or challenges that have held them back in life - be it mental health issues, bereavement, body confidence or life-threatening illness - and they're doing this through fitness, in what will be a truly gruelling 28 days of epic physical and mental challenges. Can they beat their past to unleash their "inner warrior"?

On the BBC Three show, hosted by Jordan North, they will get to do just that. The show sees them head to a Caribbean island where eight elite athletes known as The Warriors will mentor them and compete alongside them in a series of gruelling physical challenges.

The Warriors were announced in January, and include hardcore fitness heroes like ex-footballer Ashley Cain, MMA fighter Leah McCourt and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson. Overseeing the contestants' training as Head Coach, meanwhile, is fitness influencer Paul Olima, who also hosts Go Hard or Go Home's spin-off podcast Be More Warrior.

Now, it’s time to meet the Go Hard or Go Home trainees who will be finding out who is worthy of being a Warrior when the show comes to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 19 February.

Adil Jahangir

As a teenager, Adil, 24, used to enjoy sport and fitness, but his struggles with insomnia, anxiety and depression have led to him withdrawing from the activities he once enjoyed.

The London resident is taking part in Go Hard Or Go Home because he feels his mental health struggles have been preventing him from living his best life.

He also wants to improve his physical stamina which has proven an issue when he’s tried to start exercising regularly and thinks being pushed by a Warrior could be the fresh start he’s been searching for.

Carys Barnham

At 23, self-confessed mummy's girl Carys lives at home in London.

Carys had never been away from her mum for more than five days, meaning she will have to battle homesickness as well as the many physical challenges the show has in store for her.

Since losing her job as an assistant manager of a footwear store two years ago, Carys has had her confidence knocked, and is hoping the show will give her a new lease of life.

Demitri Rodriguez

At 16, Demitri realised that he was a trans man. Now 23, the Stratford-upon-Avon resident wants to use the Go Hard or Go Home process to allow him to develop a body that will make him feel more masculine – and to find self-acceptance.

However, to gain the body he wants, he will have to give up some of his unhealthy habits, which include smoking a packet of tobacco a week and eating mainly junk food. Luckily, the Warriors are on hand to help Demitri get from unhealthy to hench.

Dylan Spaull

Dylan was a happy and healthy teenager in Northampton, until he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Now 23, Dylan has been in remission for two years – but has never felt quite himself since his cancer diagnosis.

Living in perpetual fear that his cancer would return has stopped him from living his life. On Go Hard or Go Home, he wants to prove to himself that his body can take everything the show can throw at him.

Faith Mullen

Newcastle girl Faith starred in Geordie Shore, but felt she became what she calls “brash reality Faith” on the show. Now she wants to reconnect with the real her.

Faith has always been a party girl who loves a classic Geordie sesh. But her relationship with alcohol has become more problematic.

She has been drinking to help her overcome her anxiety, which has left her too anxious to exercise in public. On the island, she wants to find more constructive ways to deal with her mental health.

Hope Ndlovu

Hope is a self-proclaimed “quitter” who at the age of 20 has had over 16 jobs – with the longest lasting three months.

The Manchester native is hoping to gain enough stamina to give her more staying power in her life.

She has also never been to a different country before appearing on Go Hard or Go Home, so is hoping to expand her horizons by appearing on the show.

Melita Sanders

This 20-year-old, who lives in Prestatyn, north Wales, has been struggling since her father died from a heart attack in 2021.

Melita has been suffering from anxiety since losing her dad. This anxiety is stopping her from doing things she wants to do in life – and preventing her from having confidence in herself.

On the Go Hard or Go Home island, Melita is hoping to go from anxious to athlete, using the show’s physical challenges to gain confidence in herself.

Seb Fitzharris

Bolton-born Seb, 22, has been partying too hard and drinking too much to cope with the pressures of being a full-time carer. Now, he’s looking to go from boozing to being the best that he can be.

Four weeks prior to leaving for the Go Hard or Go Home island, Seb lost his mother to cancer after being her carer for the entirety of her illness.

Seb’s mum encouraged him to change his life by joining the show, and now he wants to do her proud and begin his journey to a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Watch Go Hard or Go Home every Sunday from 19 February at 9pm on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

Article originally published 14 February 2023.