David Symon

My name is David Simon and in December 2005 I had just come through a difficult two year period at work, I was overweight and unfit and was heading radiply toward my 50th birthday.

I decided there and then I was not going to continue as I was and I had to do something about my weight and fitness levels.

In the mid 90's I got to know Ian through training at Future Bodies with a friend and decided to contact him again and ask if he would help me with some personal training.

At that point all I wanted was to lose some weight, improve my fitness, look better and more toned in time for my 50 th birthday holiday in July.

I had no aspirations to be a bodybuilder.

I started training in January this year with two sessions a week and from that first session my life began to change.

From the very first training session I began to feel better both mentally and physically.

I am now having three sessions a week and following a strict diet regime.

My body shape has completely changed, I am much stronger, leaner - I have lost two stones in weight, five inches from my waist - and believe I look better than at any time in the last 25 years. I am also stronger mentally and have a much more positive outlook on life.

This is without question down to Ian, his enthusiasm; inspiration and drive.

I just do not want to let him down and want to put in as much effort for him as he does for me.

Make no mistake it has not been a bed of roses, Ian drives me hard and the sessions are punishing, particularly the Friday one when we do a circuit, but every day you can see the results and that makes it all worthwhile.

It is now six months since I started with Ian and the training is much more advanced, the weights are steadily increasing and we are spending more time on form and technique which I enjoy. The sessions are always varied so there is no chance of getting bored!

Ian has created a drive in me to continually improve, to get stronger, fitter and leaner.

He has done this through his own enthusiasm and dedication in helping me achieve my goals and he tells me there are no limits so who knows where I might end up!

In the short time since January he has become very influential in my life.

Ian is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met and is credit to his profession.

Thanks for everything you have done for me Ian.

David Symon UPDATE
December '07

I was diagnosed with Cancer in May this year which as you will imagine was a shock. Within the following three weeks I had to have a Colostomy operation because of the location of the tumor and I began a 28 day course of Radiotherapy together with two four day courses of Chemotherapy.

The "period of shock" was short lived however, I decided there and then that the only option for me was 100% recovery and the process to that goal began immediately.

I was fortunate to have the care and support of the Cancer and Colostomy departments at Barnsley General Hospital and Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield which in my opinion must be amongst the best in the world.

I also had the unwavering support of my wife Jennie (who has been absolutely amazing), my family and friends.

A vital part of keeping positive and continuing to believe that I would recover 100% was to continue training.

Ian has given me an enormous amount of help and inspiration. From day one he helped me by researching diets and nutrition suitable for Cancer patients, changing my training regime to suit my physical state at the time, changing appointments and fitting in my training sessions to suit my hospital visits.

He encouraged me when I was a bit down, and inspired me to continue training and to be the best I could be.

Some days were hard and I often felt very unwell after a training session but never once considered giving up.

I was told by the Consultants that one of the biggest aids to Cancer recovery is a positive mind. I have always been a positive person but there is no doubt that continuing to train helped me retain that outlook which was a major part of my recovery.

Thankfully I am one of the lucky ones; I was given the all clear in October.

I owe an enormous amount to a great many people and not least to Ian.

My goal now is to train as hard as I can, eat clean and be the best I can be.

I also aim to compete in the summer of 2008.