Unwind With….

Vin is a personal trainer who prefers fresh air over gyms any day. He runs inclusive small group fitness sessions that focus on individual goals, fun and banter. But rewind 14 years and Vin had gained 15 kilos in just over a year and thought walking was overrated. When he went to donate blood and was told his heart rate and blood pressure were too high, it was the wake-up call he needed to turn his life around.

The Wake Up Call

When I turned 40, my life changed dramatically. I’d recently become a single dad and had my kids full-time. I’d been smoking for 23 years and decided it was time to quit. I gave up cigarettes and coffee at the same time to eliminate the triggers. After that, I developed a sweet tooth. I’d never had that before and was in the kitchen all the time baking cakes and slices for the kids and myself.  Before I knew it, the weight had crept on and I was tipping the scales at 100 kilos.

When I went in for my regular blood donation, they told me my heart rate and blood pressure were too high and that I needed to make some changes before I could donate again. Just a week later, I woke up in agony and the doc told me I had gout in my foot. I thought, surely I’m too young to have that. That’s when I really knew I had to change something.

I started jogging, but it was more of a Cliff Young-style shuffle. I’d go behind the lawn bowls so no one could see me. At first, I hated it and it took about a year before I started dropping the weight. It was a slow grind, but once I made progress, it got easier and I started really enjoying exercise.  

After losing about 20 kilos, one of the biggest positives was the difference in my energy. I could do so much more. Before, mowing the lawns in the morning would leave me buggered for the rest of the day. I went on to build my fitness up to a level where I could run a half marathon!

Stepping Up

Through those years of transformation, I’d been coaching junior footy. My son was playing and when we rocked up at the start of the season there was no coach, so the parents realised they’d have to step into the roles or the club would fold. That’s how I got dobbed in as coach and president. I had no idea what I was doing, but they said I was a great mentor.

Our team went two years without winning a single game. It was tough for the kids, but winning or losing was never the focus. I worked on creating a culture of respect for differences, helping everyone understand their strengths and how to support each other as a team. By the fourth year, we won the grand final.

While coaching, one of the parents asked if I was a personal trainer. I just laughed, but it sparked the whole idea. At the time, I was working in sales for a technology services company, but I wasn’t happy. The new management was micromanaging everything. It had become all about money and numbers. It just wasn’t fun anymore so I decided to leave and do a Personal Training course. A few people thought I was having a midlife crisis.

When I qualified, I bought a ‘Step Into Life’ franchise. It was a massive risk with a big financial outlay, but they provided all the lesson plans, equipment and structure. After a few years, I’d learnt enough to start my own business and do things my way.

Goals and Gold Moments

These days, I run small group sessions from my own fitness studio in Warragul. They’re inclusive, with no judgement and definitely no selfies in the mirror. Every session brings different goals, needs and abilities.

I’ve also started running sessions for people over 65. I find them inspiring because they’re so committed. It’s less about pushing or motivating them, and more often about slowing things down so they don’t do an injury. There’s plenty of talking in those sessions, and they’ve become a real social outlet.

My best moments are when one of my members starts ticking off their goals. It gives me such a kick. There’s a glow to people when they achieve something for their health.