The positive change when you stop believing your own bullshit!
10.30am Monday mornings in FOB’s Ralph Wickens. He’s here for his weekly PT session with Jamie. A little smile always comes across
Megan’s face because she knows what’s coming!
These two have developed a bit of competition in their sessions and yep points are taken. Ralph loves to keep a running commentary for Megan, so she knows who’s in front.
While there’s lots of laughs, there’s also a lot more to Ralph then meets the eye.
- How long have you been a member of health culture and what’s your weekly routine?
I first joined when health culture was in the main street nearly 10 years ago.
For the last 13 months I’ve been doing 5 workouts a week (previously it was 3).
This includes one weekly PT session with Jamie. I first started PT with Dash 8
years ago and Jamie has now been my trainer for close to 3 years.
2. What prompted you to get healthy and active, the reason you joined the gym?
I started to support a family member and because of this I discovered that I had
a 95% heart blockage – being active brought the symptoms on sooner so without
the gym I would not be here. It saved my life.
3. What are the main obstacles you have faced and overcome?
In the last 9 years I’ve had to deal with a lot of issues – depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, heart issues, alcohol and smoking.
It all got too much when I found out I needed heart surgery at 40 years old and I went into a negative mindset. I stopped smoking but with medications I was on I suffered with depression and anxiety. I had to take a lot of steps to get
through it all and gain as much knowledge as I could to help prevent me from slipping back.
For the last 13 months I have not had a drop of alcohol or a smoke.
I was also very lucky to find a Doctor who was very supportive and able to help me get on track.
4. How important is your health?
It’s my everything. It’s my investment in life.
In the past I took it for granted and abused it i.e. smoking, drinking, the wrong foods. Now I want to be with and there for my kids. I’ve always self-sabotage, now I want to lead by example.
5. Why do you continue to exercise and why is it important to you?
To stay focused and on track to being healthy and strong.
I want to do it for my family and to be a strong example for them.
6. How do you feel now and what improvements to your health have you had?
In the last 13 months I’ve had my biggest changes. When I stopped drinking, I
worked out my friends were not really my friends and I was an outcast, however
this proved to only make me stronger. I had to deal with myself and how I had been lying to myself. I had the gym to turn to as it is a big part of my life now.
I am more confident, I have reduced my medications, I don’t drink, or smoke and I
am a much better person.
I am a much stronger person – physically and mentally. I feel like I have been re-wired and I’m not ashamed to fail. If I fail, I will get back up and go again.
7. How do you stay motivated to keep going?
I’m happy and lucky to be alive. I can appreciate my past and now I want to look
forward to my future.
My family.
8. What would you like to achieve going forward?
To keep improving and of course to smash Jamie! (In our PT sessions we do a weights session together, so it gets competitive)
When I look around the gym, I see all age groups and when I look at the older members,
I am hoping I will be in their position at the same age.
9. What’s you favourite thing about coming to health culture?
Competing with Jamie!
Seeing my results and feeling better.
I hate cardio like brussel sprouts but there is so much variety here at health culture there’s just no excuse – you can’t get this at home.
I’m made to feel like I belong. The staff say hello by name – that just makes you feel good.
10. From your experience, what do you think is the most important attributes to reaching exercise and fitness goals?
Don’t give up
Be consistent
Set goals.
I also see the value in a pt session. Jamie helps to push me along and work to failure. I know I’ve done something good with my investment when I collapse to the ground after our session. Once I recover there’s always a smile on my face.
I see things a lot clearer now and I’ve stopped accepting my own bullshit.
We’d like to Thank Ralph for sharing this journey with us. To find a way to overcome many of these things is hard to imagine and you
should be proud of where you are today. Thank you.
Jamie would also just like to add – he always beats you!