A Rochdale man who transformed his life after the death of his fianc?©, depression and serious illness and now helps underprivileged children has been recognised with a national award.
30 year old Marcus Dean has been named Fitness First New You Achiever of the Year 2008 in the prestigious awards for his amazing story and desire to help others.
In 2003 Marcus' fianc?© died leaving him to care for their three year old daughter. His grief led to a downward spiral involving drink, over eating, depression and the onset of two serious stomach problems.
He lost his job, his confidence, his self esteem and felt unable to look after his daughter.
But a visit to Fitness First set Marcus on the road to recovery and a new life as a successful boxer.
"I knew where Fitness First was because it was next to a takeaway I used to visit,'' said Marcus who was an unfit 18 stone when he began his transformation in 2006. "I joined the Get Results programme, teamed up with personal trainer Dean Whamby and haven't looked back.''
He said Fitness First had given him a new lease of life and within weeks of beginning his training Marcus had taken up boxing - winning his first fight and becoming the 2007 East Lancashire Champion.
"I'd always wanted to box and I'm now also working with youngsters to help them channel their energies into boxing,'' he said.
Judges in the New You Achievement Awards said Marcus has shown tremendous courage and commitment to turn his life around and become a great role model for his daughter and other young people.
He won the Sport category in the awards for his boxing success together with the overall award ??????" and a holiday of a lifetime for him and his family.
An overjoyed Marcus said that he owed Fitness First everything. "Fitness First has given me stability, I have made so many new friends, my health is great and I love helping others.''
Marcus was one of 15 finalists in the Fitness First New You Achievement Awards and judges described his story as truly inspirational.
"Marcus is exactly what these awards set out to recognise,'' said Fitness First's managing director John Gamble. "All of the finalists had amazing stories but Marcus stood out for overcoming so many hurdles and now using his experience to help so many other people.''
Awards were also presented to Alison Grant from Dundee who shed more than 11 stone to win the Shape category, to Paul Silcock from Halifax who had two major heart attacks and fought back to fitness to win the Health Award.
The Fitness category was won by 38 year old Jacqui Goodwin from Middlesborough who has transformed her life as an overweight mother of four to become a marathon runner while personal trainer Dean Whitfield won the Staff award for his amazing fightback from near death after a car crash to become a personal trainer with Fitness First.
Pictured: Sport category - from left to right - Dean Wharmby Marcus' personal trainer at the Rochdale club, Marcus Dean and Dr Hilary Jones Fitness First medical advisor
Marcus wins - from left to right, Dean Wharmby, Marcus and Dr Hilary
Notes
Fitness First is the largest privately owned health club group in the world with over 550 Fitness First clubs worldwide reaching over 1.7 million members. In the UK alone there are 172 Fitness First clubs with over 465,000 members. Log on to fitnessfirst for more information and to find a club.
Fitness First is a member of the Fitness Industry Association (F.I.A), the industry trade body which represents both private and public organisations that are involved in the fitness industry, visit fia.uk.
Fitness First
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