Bart Walsh to compete in international CrossFit competition in America

A Sunshine Coast fitness coach wants to continue his late son’s legacy by competing in an international fitness competition after being diagnosed with a degenerative illness.

A Sunshine Coast fitness coach grieving the loss of his infant son is vying to compete overseas in a CrossFit competition while he battles a degenerative illness.

Buderim’s Bart Walsh, 32, and his partner Jane Parry were shattered when they lost their son Aurélien 30 minutes after birth in 2020.

Their baby was found to have severe health problems during their 20-week scan and the parents were asked whether they would end the pregnancy.

Mr Walsh and Ms Parry went to full term and were able to hear their son cry for the first and last time before he sadly passed away.

Bart Walsh who has a neurological illness and is competing in overseas. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“We’re so proud of him and we didn’t think he would make it that far, he was our little boy,” Mr Walsh said.

In the years since the pair have endeavoured to make their late son proud in the face of adversity.

Bart Walsh at Jetts Gym in Bli Bli. Picture: Patrick Woods. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Walsh is a cancer survivor and suffers from a degenerative neurological condition called hereditary motor sensory peripheral neuropathy.

“I’ve always had skinny legs growing up … and it wasn’t until last year that I got checked out by a neurologist,” Mr Walsh said.

“It basically means I’m going to lose the use of my arms and legs as I get older due to the loss of my peripheral nervous system.”

Bart Walsh will be competing in America to make his young family proud. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The cruel irony is Mr Walsh loves to exercise, with the illness predicted to affect the Buderim coach as he gets older.

This diagnosis has coincided with the pair expecting their second child.

With a baby on the way and adversity working against him, Mr Walsh is determined to continue his fitness journey and compete in the Neuromuscular Adaptive division at the Crossfit Games in Wisconsin.

Mr Walsh qualified as fifth in the world and would be representing Australia to make his family proud after overcoming so much in his life.

“I have a compulsion for fitness, it's my job and my livelihood,” he said.

“I just want use my skinny legs as much as I can.”

Mr Walsh and his partner have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his trip in August.

You can donate here.