BBC Gladiators star inspires pupils during Leeds primary school visit
Pupils at a Leeds primary enjoyed an inspiring start to the year thanks to a visit by one of Britain’s most recognisable fitness personalities.
Zack George, better known as Steel from BBC’s Gladiators and founder of the well-being platform Zactiv, visited Rufford Park Primary School in Yeadon to deliver an action-packed morning focused on motivation, movement and mindset.
Crowned the UK’s Fittest Man after topping the 2020 CrossFit Open, Zack has become one of Britain’s most recognisable fitness personalities. However, it is his personal journey - from a childhood struggle with obesity to becoming an elite athlete and national role model — that formed the heart of his visit to the primary school.
Through Zactiv, his purpose-driven wellbeing initiative, Zack works with schools and communities across the UK to help young people build sustainable, lifelong wellbeing habits. His message to pupils is simple yet powerful: everyone can develop the resilience, confidence and mindset needed to be healthy in both body and mind.
The visit, organised by the school’s Parent Teacher Association, Friends of Rufford Park (FORP), began with a full-school assembly.
During the session, Zack spoke to pupils about the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, hydration, confidence and maintaining a positive mindset, drawing on his experiences from Gladiators in an engaging and age-appropriate way.
Following the assembly, Zack visited each classroom in turn, where he answered pupils’ questions and signed posters the children had created especially for the occasion. With the visit coinciding with the start of the new series of Gladiators, excitement throughout the school was at an all-time high.
The event was made possible thanks to the continued support of families who attend and contribute to FORP’s fundraising events throughout the year.
David Cooke, head teacher at Rufford Park Primary School, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Zack to Rufford Park. His story is incredibly inspiring, and we know our pupils will have gained so much from hearing about the resilience, positivity and healthy habits that shaped his journey. Opportunities like this stay with children for years — it’s a real privilege to bring such powerful role models into school.”