The Birth of the Bear

Our founder Rhys George suffered his first serious knee injury at 15 years old. He battled on through injuries, iterations of knee supports and an operation at 19 until his competitive sport playing days ended after just 5 years. Later in life when trying to get his aching middle aged body moving again, the market offering hadn't developed in over 20 years and along with his original co-founders decided there needed to be something better. Inspired by their own suffering and of those around them along with the the lack of character in the sterile marketplace the Bearhug community was born.

Chief Medical Officer

As a key member of the WRU medical team, John Miles brings over 20 years of unparalleled experience in high-performance sports across a wide range of disciplines. His philosophy aligns perfectly with ours: movement is medicine, and staying active is the foundation of a happy, healthy life.

John’s relentless pursuit of progress drives world-class product innovation for Bearhug, ensuring every detail delivers performance benefits—big or small. Whether you’re an elite athlete or the everyday hero chasing your fitness goals, John’s expertise helps us create and communicate solutions that keep you moving stronger, longer. Let’s push boundaries together! #movementismedicine