Muscle & Fitness UK – August 2019

88 MUSCLE & FITNESS / AUGUST 2019

I had only just met my partner, so I didn’t want to put

on her. I had always worked tirelessly for everything in

life but accepted that I was unable to look after myself.

My weight plummeted to eight stone due to being

unable to have solid food for eight weeks. Three years

of no training passed and became startlingly apparent

on my gaunt body; my waist measured 26 inches with

10-inch arms and 16-inch legs. As somebody who had

always trained, the thought of starting all over again

was devastating but I knew I had the resolve to build

myself back up again, I just needed to listen to my body.

I moved to Leicester and started back in the gym,

enlisting the help of coach Zac Fotheringham, I loved

training so much that I even did a level three PT

course. A few years passed of incorporating a decent

training regimen and I had made some great gains;

things were finally on the up, however unbeknownst to

me, another catastrophe was looming. In October 2015,

I suffered a tragic car accident. I experienced extensive

ligament and muscle damage to my arms, neck, back

and knees; but was I was lucky to be alive. Twelve

months of intense physio followed with huge weight

loss once again. I was fed up: “Wow! Can’t I just have

a break” I thought in a state of absolute melancholy.

My confidence hit an all-time low; it had taken me so

long to get back into shape. Doctors advised me to

stop training legs altogether “it will do more harm

than good” they warned sternly. This was the most

painful obstacle to overcome as training legs in one

way or another was always my means of keeping

my mental health in check.

After rehab nothing was clicking; I got back in touch

with my old coach Zac, I needed someone to push

me, and his no bullsh*t approach was exactly what

I wanted. We set up a transformation programme;

starting all over again and have been working hard

at it for the last 16 months. I’m determined to not be

beat! Results have been promising despite just being

checked for thyroid, prolactin and testosterone levels

due to gaining lots of fat on a calorie controlled diet

and not feeling right in myself.

Just recently, my mum passed away; it was a huge

shock and hit me and my family very hard. She was a

massive influence in driving me to do better and not

letting things get to me. She was responsible for my

‘hard work pays off’ attitude and has helped me over

the years to realise that I want to help others reach

their goals. I have just qualified in level three sports

massage and Hijama cupping and aim to set up

a gym in the Leicestershire area to inspire others

to be the best versions of themselves.

By James Ward

PHOTO: REBECCA ANDREWS

REAL LIFE