Ollie’s Heroes Journey - From Doubt to Determination

When Ollie first approached me, he was struggling. Not just with fitness but with a sense of self-belief. Like many of us, life had thrown a few too many curveballs his way, leaving him feeling stuck in a body that didn’t reflect the person he wanted to be. Ollie’s energy was low, his motivation waning, and despite his best efforts, the progress he craved always seemed out of reach.

Our journey began with honesty. Ollie laid out his struggles—long work hours, a hectic personal life, and a nagging fear that he’d never achieve his goals. But beneath that doubt, I could see a spark. Ollie was willing to put in the work; he just needed the right guidance to channel his efforts effectively.

Through personalized coaching sessions, we focused on practical, manageable steps that fit into his life. Ollie didn’t need a drastic overhaul—he needed consistency, patience, and a program tailored to his unique challenges. Week by week, we worked together on refining his routine, adjusting his nutrition, and building his strength both physically and mentally.

Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were setbacks and frustrations—times when life got busy, motivation dipped, and the results didn’t come fast enough. But what set Ollie apart was his resilience. Even when things got tough, he showed up, committed to the process, and trusted in the long-term vision we built together.

Over time, those small changes began to add up. The weights he once struggled with became lighter, his energy improved, and most importantly, Ollie started to believe in himself. Seeing his transformation wasn’t just about the physical—it was the confidence he regained and the pride in how far he had come.

Now, Ollie has achieved more than he once thought possible. His journey wasn’t just about losing weight or gaining muscle; it was about reclaiming control over his health and mindset. He’s a testament to what’s possible with dedication, support, and a tailored approach that meets you where you are.

If you’re like Ollie, feeling overwhelmed or stuck, know that change is within reach. It’s not about perfection but about progress, and with the right guidance, you can make that shift too.

Stats

  • Age - 40

  • Occupation - Strategic account manager

  • Training with Mark - Over 10 years

  • Favourite movie - Jurassic Park 

  • Random Fact - Does a mean BBQ steak and ribs 

Personal Challenges

  • Desk-bound job so really hard to burn fat

  • Finding the balance between eating enough to recover from training and eating too much

  • Over training and expecting to do the same things he could do in his 20's

  • Feeling banged up and broken on a regular basis 

Strategies used to overcome challenges

  • Cutting back on the heavy lifting to reset 

  • Increasing aerobic fitness and capacity to take on new load

  • Increasing volume of training per workout without increasing the time in the gym

  • Reducing the time in the gym and working smart

  • Making small adjustments to diet and implementing some simple habits to aid recovery and lose weight

Memorable moments

  • Getting leaner and stronger at the same time

  • Understanding that an all-or-nothing mentality isn't the best way to act

  • Enjoying life more and not stressing about eating a little bit too much or drinking more 

  • Learning to feel what the body needs and when to take the foot of the accelerator 

  • Still being able to deadlift 200kg while losing weight, being lighter and keeping it off

 

FAQ’s answered by Ollie

How did you feel about yourself/weight/person etc. before working with Mark? What sort person were you?

After years of powerlifting I was big and strong but had too much body fat, everything hurt, I was always tired got winded climbing the stairs. As I approached 40 I wanted to feel better, strip some of the body fat and move more comfortably.

What did you try in the past to solve that problem before using Mark?

Friends workouts, my own programming as well as using books etc.

Why did you choose Mark to help you achieve your health and fitness goals?

Working with Mark is more than just working with a trainer. He knows how to get the most out of you and explains how and why his methods work. He is supportive and helps you stay consistent and that’s why I went back to working with him to get myself where I wanted to be

How is/was working with Mark different from what you had previously tried?

He doesn’t just jump on the latest trend. Mark works with me to ensure I am enjoying the training, if an exercise aggravates one of my many injuries we change it. It I’m losing motivation we mix things up. He asks about my work/personal life to ensure the training doesn’t add more stress which will derail my progress. After work I g with him for years he still wants me to succeed as much as I did on day 1.

What problems have you overcome since working with Mark? Could be nutritional, injuries, habits, confidence, weight loss etc.

I have less pain, better movement, lower body fat, bigger muscles/ a better physique in general, I’m fitter, I sleep better, have more energy and feel better than I did in my early 30’s

After working with Mark how do you feel now? Do you feel different? Describe the person you are now.

I don’t feel broken anymore. Before working with Mark I used to work around injury and pain now I just deal with a little muscle soreness from pushing myself to train harder

What advice would you give someone that is 'on the fence' about using a coach to help them achieve their goals?

Talk to Mark! Meet with him, have a chat and let him get to know you because the more he knows you the more he can help you achieve your goals