From “Pleasantly Plump” to Personal Training: Paul’s Journey in Health & Fitness

I’ve always been active, but I can’t say I was destined for greatness in sport. Growing up, my older brother was obsessed with football. He’d spend hours down at the park kicking a ball around, and naturally, I tagged along. He was talented enough to go on and play semi-pro for a while. Me? I was… decent. Not terrible, not brilliant..just somewhere in between.

By the time I hit 15, the long hours of football gave way to hanging out with mates, eating whatever junk food I could get my hands on, and generally getting into a bit of trouble. Without sport to keep me busy, my body softened up. My friends had a charming way of putting it: “You’re not fat… just pleasantly plump.” 

A couple of years later, I realised something had to change. A friend suggested I try the gym. I had no idea what to expect, but within a month of lifting weights I was hooked. The transformation was obvious..muscle appeared where it hadn’t before, my confidence grew, and I became fascinated by the “why” behind it all. How did the body adapt like this? Why did movement matter so much? That curiosity pushed me to study a diploma in personal training, sports massage, and nutrition.

Freshly qualified, I started in local gyms before landing a role at HSBC, training bankers who were mostly overweight, stressed, and battling high blood pressure. It was a crash course in real-world health. From there, I stepped into the world of luxury fitness at a studio in Mayfair. Suddenly, my clients were billionaires, celebrities, musicians, and socialites. The work was exciting, and I loved my clients, but the hours were punishing. After five years, I was burnt out. Financially, I was comfortable, but I could see clearly the owner of the studio was the one building real wealth, while I was running on fumes.

My old stomping ground

So, I walked away. I travelled through Australia, eventually landing in Queenstown, New Zealand. Unlike many of my backpacker friends happy to pull beers or scrub dishes, I knew I had to get back to training people. The timing was perfect: the local gym was about to run a 12-week transformation challenge. They handed me 15 clients and told me to get results. And I did. My team lost the most weight and body fat out of everyone. The phone didn’t stop ringing after that. My diary overflowed, and for a while, life was very good.

Until it wasn’t. A tragic event wiped out nearly everything I’d earned, forcing me back to London with my tail between my legs. At nearly 30, I found myself living with my parents again, starting over from scratch. It was a tough pill to swallow.

Back in London, I picked up work with a mobile personal training company, which is where I met Krystie…my future wife and partner in both life and business. The timing wasn’t ideal; Christmas was approaching, and as any trainer will tell you, it’s a hard season to build clients when everyone’s more focused on parties than pull-ups. So I left the company, took a gamble, and built my own mobile PT business from the ground up. It worked. Krystie soon joined me, and Results Personal Training 1.0 was born.

But we always knew the long game wasn’t London. Krystie wanted to be closer to family, especially as we thought about starting our own. So, we sold the business and moved to New Zealand. Initially, I had my sights on Auckland or Wellington..big cities, big opportunities. But the more time we spent in Hawke’s Bay, the more it made sense. Less traffic, more sunshine, and a lifestyle that felt right for raising a family.

So Results 2.0 began…not in a flash Mayfair studio, but in a glorified shed. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it. Over the past 13 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of clients and campers here in Hawke’s Bay. My diary stays full, but in a way that gives me the balance I never had in London or Queenstown. I don’t burn out anymore (well at least I try not to). I get to spend time with my family, stay grounded, and still do the work I love.

I’m not training celebrities these days, but I am training some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. My clients motivate me daily with their grit, humour, and determination. They’ve taught me that a rich life isn’t about fame or fortune..it’s about doing meaningful work with people you care about.

And that’s really why I wanted to share this story. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned along the way, it’s that your health and fitness journey will never be a straight line. There will be highs, lows, setbacks, and fresh starts. But every time you put in the work..whether it’s your first push-up or your hundredth..you’re building resilience, confidence, and a richer life. If my story shows anything, it’s that the best results aren’t just about looking good; they’re about creating a life you love living.

Here is a video from back in the day when I clearly took myself WAY too seriously 😉