Marvyn

At the age of 14 I was tipping the scales at 17 stone.

I started gaining noticeable weight in Junior school. I lacked a sense of stability from an early age. My parents split up when I was young and I lived with my dad who worked very hard and long hours so meals weren’t always on a consistent schedule and I would skip breakfast and sit down for my main meal at 10pm the earliest. I excessively over indulged during the day on chocolate and convenience foods, I guess I just snowballed out of control.

My self-esteem shrunk to almost non-existent, I would wear a t-shirt in the water when I went swimming so I did not have to show my body, anyone who asked why I was wearing a t-shirt I would tell them I had a skin condition that is made worse by chlorine. Sheer embarrassment!

I just decided I didn’t need to live this way anymore, and that the only difference between me and my healthy friends were decisions we all made. They weren’t put on this earth to be thin and fit and I wasn’t put here to be fat. Over a short period of time this idea became something I really bought into and believed with all my heart for the first time in my life.

I really decided to become accountable by researching best practices and taking action. I ate clean foods. I always ate breakfast. I stopped eating three hours before bedtime. I focused on protein, high-quality carbohydrates and good fats. I never starved and never counted calories. I followed and still follow Paleo Lifestyle.I started going to the gym 5 times a week using high intensity interval, weights and functional training. The fat started to come off and my fitness levels increased dramatically.

I became a little obsessed with training and was always reading and researching fitness and nutrition, as I was getting fitter I started playing more and Rugby.

Over my career playing rugby I was lucky to get the opportunity to play rugby as my main job and to play in a few different countries, New Zealand, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, it was then having lots of free time during the days that I trained as a personal trainer and nutritionist.

I started training clients around my rugby training days and thoroughly enjoyed helping others achieve their goals and seeing their characters and confidence grow, it was a huge feel good factor for me.

A few Years ago I was diagnosed with an illness called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / MEwhich effects energy levels, muscular and brain function, I manage this illness through medication and following a Paleo Nutrtion. Paleo is a vital part of keeping my illness controllable, Paleo is the only nutrition that I recommend to clients as it is a clean healthy way of eating for long term health and wellbeing.

Due to persistent injuries and My CFS/ME illness I was forced to retire from rugby, which gave me the opportunity to go full time with the Personal Training. I love my job and wouldn’t swap it for anything, I have a huge passion for helping people reach their goals and help them realise that they’re worth the change. I know how tough it is to live with that feeling of hopelessness, looking in the mirror and not like what you see. It is what drives me.