aug/sept 2010 | instructor diary | 3
instructor diary Against all odds Paul Connolly is now a hugely successful celebrity personal trainer, but his life hasn’t always been glitz and glamour. Abandoned and abused at a young age, Paul tells the story of his incredible journey.
Name: Paul Connolly Occupation: Celebrity personal trainer Location: Essex Growing up Put out with the rubbish at two weeks old when my mum suffered a breakdown, it was the beginning of a very tough and unpredictable childhood. When I was then moved to a children’s home in East London just before my eight birthday, things changed very dramatically – it was run by a paedophile ring. Suffering years of mental and physical abuse, later in life I found out I was one of the only survivors in the dormitory.
The wrong side of the law As an angry young man, it was almost inevitable I ended up on the wrong side of the law. Having nothing to lose and being bullied and abused my whole life, I just started to fight back. Surviving being stabbed for the first time, I lost all the fear I’d grown up with and, after becoming an amateur boxing champion, I began to use my skills as a notorious street fighter and doorman. Also coming to the notice of powerful people, I became a sought-after bodyguard for the rich and famous.
Making the change The turning point came when I narrowly escaped a long prison sentence. Being arrested on two counts of grievous bodily harm after being attacked by five men, I had to wait over a year to go to Crown
Court. A long week at court later, the jury came back with a verdict of not guilty, reasonable force and self-defence. The relief of the verdict changed me forever. The chips I had on both shoulders fell away and I realised that there was some justice in the world and everything was not against me. Fifteen years on, I have a loving wife, two beautiful sons and have never and will never be involved in violence ever again.
Paul with client Chantelle Houghton
Big break I was set to be a professional boxer, but it all went wrong when I fell from a roof while helping out a friend. It resulted in me almost losing a hand and badly injuring my right arm, so I was no good for close protection and couldn’t pass a medical to fight. I had to find another way to make a living. As I rehabbed myself I became very interested in the body, so I learnt to read and write for the first time, passed a gym instructor course and got a job in the city of London. My big break came when Pickwick Pictures approached me to make the pilots for The Body video with Elle McPherson, as there was going to be a strong boxing element. I then worked in LA and San Francisco and for Le Sport Health Spa in St Lucia. More recently, I’ve just finished getting Chantelle Houghton (Celebrity Big Brother winner) in shape for various magazine shoots. I’ve also filmed a Channel 4 programme called The Wager, on which I’m the fitness expert. Another proud moment was getting my first book, Against All Odds, published. I’m still as passionate as ever about
Paul with hi
s book
changing people’s lives every day and it’s been exciting to watch the industry evolve to a level I could never have imagined back in the late 80s. But what still holds true today, as much as it did back then, is our clients’ reliance on our knowledge and passion to help them with their short-term and long-term goals. So, whether you’re working with fitness fanatics, athletes or rehabilitating injuries, just enjoy the fact that you’re the one educating and motivating them to become fitter, healthier, slimmer or ready for sport. Turn to page 43 for a chance to win a copy of Paul’s enchanting book, Against All Odds
Do you have a story? Have you had a struggle getting to the top? Did something funny happen in your class? Got some advice you want to pass on? Whatever it is, email it to publish@fitpro.com with a good-quality photo and you could feature in a future instructor diary.
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