When his father—once a member of the Canadian National Cycling Team—was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, teenage athlete Connor Darnbrough was fighting his own battles: a broken back, herniated discs, torn ligaments, and damaged nerves.
Most people would have despaired. Not Connor. The founder and owner of six Smart Fit Method studios, including his home base in Park City, turned training and recovery into a lifelong mission.
“I grew up in Whistler, competing in freeride skiing and mountain biking,” he says. “Park City was like a second home. After starting Smart Fit Method in SoCal, I realized how much I missed the mountains.” He jumped at the chance to open a PC studio with Dr. Tim Duerler. “It just felt right. This is where I belong.”
His dad’s prognosis was grim—no uphill walking, no lifting more than 30 pounds. “We started experimenting in our garage with adaptive resistance training and metabolic diagnostics,” Connor recalls. “He reversed his condition—something less than one percent ever do.”
Connor used that experience in his own healing and Smart Fit Method was born, combining technology and Connor’s passion for long, active living. “We measure metabolism, body composition, and strength, then build a personalized plan, all complementary. We want people to feel what true, data-driven health is. Serious health conditions teach you that being fit isn’t enough,” he says. “It’s about being strong, energetic, and pain-free.”
That describes Connor well. You will find him all over the Wasatch Back, skiing, mountain biking, hunting, backpacking or snowmobiling. “I also jiu-jitsu and muay Thai,” he smiles. “Park City is home base. I’m here as much as possible – leading client intro sessions, training members, and attending community events.”
Ask how he relaxes and he laughs. “Friends, family, and my dog,” he says. Not that he gets much downtime. “I just love helping anyone who wants to perform better, recover faster, and live longer.”