From Bedridden to Bodybuilding

I wasn't always fit or healthy. But we can always change our lives.

From Bedridden to Bodybuilding:

My Journey from Struggle to Strength

Life has a funny way of testing us when we least expect it. For most of my life, I was an active, sports-obsessed guy. Whether it was Rugby, Karate, or Triathlon events, fitness was always at the heart of what I did. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would go from being a bedridden teenager to standing on a bodybuilding stage, flexing my muscles in front of a crowd. Yet here I am, and this is how my journey unfolded.

The Early Years: Sport was my Escape

Growing up, fitness wasn’t just something I did—it was who I was. But it wasn’t always a simple, happy journey. At 15, I found myself battling with intense mental health issues, struggling with confidence, and dealing with a lot of anxiety. My home life wasn't great with abuse, and every day felt like I was walking on eggshells, never knowing what would happen next. School wasn’t much better—it was hard to focus or even be present in my own life because my mind was consumed with the chaos at home and the constant pressure to just get through the day. On top of that, I was bullied at school every day. There really was no escape for me other than Sport.

This was my reality, and I needed an escape. Sport became my outlet. It wasn’t just a hobby—it was my sanctuary. When I was playing sports, I could focus on something outside of my turmoil. It gave me a sense of purpose, a place to push myself, and a way to feel strong in a world that often made me feel weak. Sport was where I could find peace, where I could feel like I mattered, and where I could just be. It was the one thing that kept me grounded when everything else felt out of control.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

At 15, everything changed. I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease that basically causes your body’s immune system to attack its own tissues and organs. It was triggered by a rare side effect of acne medication, which is extremely rare and you have a higher chance of winning the lottery in terms of how rare it was. The doctor didn’t even know it could happen!

The medication they gave me to combat the inflammation didn’t help, either. Voltaren ended up stripping the lining of my stomach and liver, and I was in excruciating pain. I’ll never forget the feeling of having to prop my legs up every time my little sisters ran across the floor, because the vibrations felt like knives stabbing at my ankles and knees. It was intense.

I was admitted to the hospital and spent the next 10 months there, on pain medication, steroid infusions, and a hundred other meds, under observation, while the doctors worked to figure out what was going on. Imagine being a teenager who loved sports and was active every day—now suddenly confined to a bed with barely any energy to stay awake. I was in the arthritis ward, the youngest by about 60 years sharing a room with 7 others who where all very sick and not long for this earth. It was isolating, lonely, scary and like torture.

The one thing I looked forward to and honestly got me through this time was watching Dragon Ball Z. Every weekday at 4.30 pm I was wheeled into the lounge to watch the tiny T.V the ward shared. This was back in the day before cell phones, and being able to have any device. So the rest of the time I was staring at the ceiling counting the tiny holes in the roof or sleeping.

A Second Round of Pain and a Harsh Reality Check

After 10 months, I was discharged in a wheelchair, hoping that the worst was over. But the disease came back with a vengeance. I was rushed to the hospital again a few weeks later. The pain was unbearable, even a bed sheet was too painful to touch me. At that point, I was told that I would have to “learn to live with it” because there was no more they could do. As a teenager who loved sports, hearing those words felt like a punch in the guts.

However, this was a reaction by the doctor not looking at the recent blood work. Once he had seen the recent blood work he quickly changed his tune and had me back on all the meds and steroid infusions to help recover from this disease.

I spent the next 7 months in the Hospital undergoing more treatments and more courses of steroids. I finally left the hospital after 7 months and this time for good. But the toll it had taken on my body and my confidence was huge. I was very overweight, out of shape, and couldn't see a way forward. Schoolwork had suffered and I would need to repeat 2 years of school, I had lost all my friends and missed out on the teenage years that can influence so much of your life.

Getting My Life Back: Losing Weight and Joining the Army

I left the hospital weighing over 110kg, depressed, and unsure of where to go next. I had missed almost two years of school, and my social life was non-existent. But after a much-needed, tough love talk from my mum, I made the decision to turn things around.

I had always been drawn to the army, and I knew that if I wanted to make that dream a reality, I’d have to get fit again. I started eating healthy, training at the gym, and running. Over the next 10 months, I worked hard, shed over 40kg's, and regained my fitness. I passed the physical and written tests, and I was accepted into the New Zealand Defence Force. This achievement was huge for me, but it was only the beginning of my fitness journey.

Army Life

I joined the NZ Infantry and spent 6 years serving my country. I was deployed overseas in combat and loved being able to help others in situations that they couldn't fix themselves. This is also where I really took off in my running and endurance training. I would run everywhere, walking was too slow. Myself and a few friends would run for miles every day, over hills, and through rivers, carrying our packs and gear. I loved it and again this became my outlet.

The army had a darker side with more abuse and bullying. I still remember my first 6-month performance appraisal, we were called into our corporals room and he said, "Well it's been 6 months so you are due for your performance review" he then punched us in the face and told us to get out. That was it, I'm not sure what that meant but we were still in the army so I guess we passed?? But that was how the Army was, we were training and fighting to be in war. If we couldn't deal with that then how can you deal with someone trying to kill you? We had many more instances like this and after a while, I had had enough of being treated like a piece of sht. I handed in my notice and left, wanting more from life.

Triathlons and Beyond: Finding New Challenges

After leaving the army, I shifted my focus to running events and then later into Triathlons—I played a lot of indoor sports and touch rugby. After a couple of years, I relocated down to Wellington from Palmerston North. I started working in a gym (LesMills Lower Hutt) and got into a group where we were training for an Ironman.

The training was intense, 3-4 hours a day of either running, swimming, biking, or a combo of them. We did this for months to prepare for the Half-Iron Man in Taupo. After this event I was done with the cardio. Back in the gym I started working with a trainer who was a bodybuilder. I loved this way of training and this is when I really started focusing on building muscle. I was enjoying the process and making progress, but at that point, bodybuilding still felt like a far-off dream and nutrition consisted of fasting most the day, then eating half a chicken (breast half) and a pick'n'mix lollie bag then the same again in the evening. Not a great way to build muscle or fuel the body.

"The Illusion of Control: How My Eating Disorder Kept Me Stuck "

For so long, my life felt completely out of control. The one thing I thought I could control? My food. I clung to fasting and severe restriction as if they were my lifeline. But in reality, they were my prison.

Two meals a day: chicken breast for protein, lollies for carbs. A single glass of water, if that. The rest of the time, I fasted. It felt empowering at first, like I was finally in charge of something. My self-worth was dictated by if I had abs or not and this dictated a lot fo my thoughts and decisions.

But the truth?

I was the furthest thing from in control.

For years, I thought I was "disciplined." My body looked conditioned, and I thought that was the ultimate goal. But here’s the harsh reality:

• My muscle growth was nonexistent.

• My strength gains were stagnant.

• My energy levels were rock bottom.

I was running on empty, both physically and mentally, and I didn’t even realize how much harm I was doing to myself and the long term issues I would have with my metabolism and mental health.

What I thought was “discipline” was really self-sabotage disguised as control. It wasn’t until I learned to fuel my body—not punish it—that I started to take real control over my health and fitness.

Lessons I’ve learned that changed everything:

•  Control isn’t about deprivation. It’s about balance, consistency, and nourishment.

•  Food is fuel, not the enemy. Your body needs carbs, proteins, AND fats to thrive.

•  Hydration is key—one glass of water a day just doesn’t cut it!

 True strength—both mental and physical—comes from treating your body with the respect it deserves.

A Leap Into Bodybuilding: From Fun to Competition

Then, in 2014, something unexpected happened. I met a girl (now my wife and partner in crime) who shared my passion for the gym. She wanted to compete in a bodybuilding event, and on a whim, I decided, "If you’re doing it, I’ll do it too." We reached out to a coach, who became our guide through the entire process.

We competed in our first regional bodybuilding event, NABBA Taranaki, and both of us won our novice categories. That win qualified us for Nationals at the end of the year. From that point on, bodybuilding became a huge part of our lives. It’s not just about lifting weights; it’s a lifestyle. It requires intense dedication and discipline, from training to meal prep to making sacrifices on social occasions.

The Journey Continues: Building Our Coaching Empire

What started as a personal journey to overcome challenges has transformed into a thriving online coaching business that touches lives across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Amber and I are incredibly proud to now help hundreds of clients worldwide, from beginners wanting to get fitter to competitive athletes chasing national and world titles. It’s been a wild ride, and we’re just getting started.

Our coaching approach is built on a foundation of expertise and experience. Over two decades of working in fitness and nutrition, combined with competing on the world stage in bodybuilding and powerlifting, has given us an unmatched understanding of what it takes to succeed. As a certified nutritionist and specialist in areas like female hormones and behavior change, I’ve spent years fine-tuning my ability to help people fuel their bodies, train effectively, and create sustainable habits. Meanwhile, Amber’s international achievements in bodybuilding and world record-breaking powerlifting inspire every client we work with to aim higher than they ever thought possible.

Our journey hasn’t just been about building muscle or hitting PRs; it’s about transforming lives. We understand firsthand the challenges people face. Whether it’s navigating health issues, overcoming self-doubt, or striving to balance busy lives with fitness goals, we’ve lived it. My journey from a hospital bed to deadlifting over 300kg and Amber’s rise to world champion status in both bodybuilding and powerlifting prove that resilience, guidance, and determination can take you anywhere.

Our passion is helping others uncover their strength—both physically and mentally. For some, that’s achieving incredible athletic milestones, like stepping on stage as a bodybuilding champion. For others, it’s the life-changing confidence of hitting their first squat or finally finding a nutrition approach that works. Every client is different, but our mission remains the same: to help them unlock their potential and live healthier, stronger lives.

Through tailored programs that combine the science of nutrition and training with the art of mindset coaching, we ensure every client has the tools to succeed. Amber and I pride ourselves on offering more than a generic plan—we deliver a partnership, working alongside our clients to turn their goals into reality.

So, whether you’re chasing your first pull-up or a championship title, we’re here to help you every step of the way. The gym isn’t just a place to lift weights; it’s where lives are changed, and dreams become reality.

A Message of Hope: Overcoming the Impossible

When I look back at that 15-year-old kid who was told he might never walk again, play sport, or have any quality of life, I can’t help but feel proud of how far I’ve come. From being bedridden with a debilitating disease to stepping onto the bodybuilding stage, my story is proof that no matter how impossible things might seem, with determination, support, and the right mindset, anything is possible. I am not anything special to anyone else. I struggle and have struggled with so many aspects of life.

If I can go from being in a hospital bed to flexing on the world stage, I believe anyone can achieve their fitness goals—no matter how big or small.