Over time, his accessory work in CrossFit took over and he found himself in the gym working new skills and trying to improve his benchmark scores more than he was on the rugby field. In 2012, James tried his luck at the CrossFit Open, placing 47th and earning himself a spot at the Australian CrossFit Regional Competition. Going in with no expectations and coming out with a 9th place, the hunger for CrossFit success began.
In 2013, James set up his affiliate, CrossFit Mode to help support his dreams of making the CrossFit Games. After placing 11th in 2013, 4th in 2014, 13th in 2015 – James finally made the CrossFit Games placing 2nd at regionals in 2016. in 2017, 2018 and 2019 he has placed 1st at the Regional/Sanctional events, earning him 4 consecutive years at the CrossFit Games. He has placed 26th, 27th and 17th respectively, and this season took out his best placing yet of 5th at the World CrossFit Games, earning himself the title of the 5th Fittest Man on Earth.
