“I joined PP on an intensive six week programme over three years ago to kick start me into getting fitter, healthier, lose weight and feel better inside and out. Three and a half years down the line and I haven’t left. My results have surpassed anything I ever dreamed I could reach – six stone down, leaner, fitter and happier.”
Long-standing member Shaun “BIG DOG” Cannell has been with us now for three and half years, with no sign of going anywhere just yet. When he joined back in May 2016 he was overweight and worried about the future. At the time he had a four year old son who he wanted to be able to run around and be active with but at 20 stone this was proving to be difficult.
One day Shaun literally had a light bulb moment and decided that he needed to “sort himself out”. As fate would have it a Performance Project ad popped up on his social media feed and having already heard good things about it he decided to take the plunge and sign up. Initially Shaun signed up for a 30-day trial with the idea of kick starting his fitness and weight loss as he thought the cost wouldn’t fit into his budget longer term.
How wrong he was! After 30 days he was hooked. Having already seen amazing results and changes to his fitness and weight, Shaun knew he had to stay on. The cost of membership was worth every penny to Shaun as the changes he made in the gym positively impacted his home life and relationship with his son.
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How were you feeling physically and mentally before starting your journey?
Sick of his weight yo-yoing between 18 and 20 stone and feeling that he wasn’t getting any younger, Shaun realised that the time to do something about it had arrived. Physically he was feeling dreadful. And although he put on a front of not caring about his appearance or what others thought of him, inside he was feeling different. He basically wished he wasn’t the size he was.
The heavy sweating when doing the lightest activity was an annoyance, and the tiredness and getting out of breath from walking a short distance was starting to get him down. Clothes shopping had become a drag as he just looked for anything that had at least a size XXL on the label. That didn’t leave a lot of choice but it was something Shaun had learned to live with.
Eventually, this small irritation on top of all the others started to get to Shaun. But he didn’t let it defeat him. Instead Shaun took the ‘can do’ attitude and decided to change things. It was a brave step making that initial call to Performance Project but possibly one of the best calls he has ever made. And his positive attitude has got him to where he is today.
Related: Dawn lost half her body weight, dropped five dress sizes, and added years to her life
When you started what did you want to achieve?
“Initially I wanted to strengthen my back and lose some weight so I could feel better, look better and hopefully become more active in things I liked to do, especially golf, which I had given up because of my back and basically had told myself I would never play again because of it.”
Shaun had a history of back problems associated with being overweight for over 20 years. As a result his posture was poor and Shaun realised that losing some weight and getting stronger could help with the back issues.
What results have you seen whilst training with us?
Shaun started to see results almost immediately when he started training at PP but everything he has now achieved has far surpassed his own expectations and the initial targets he set for himself.
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He has dropped from a 40 inch to a 32 inch waist, and his weight now remains steadily between 13.10 and 14.2 stone. That’s a loss of around six stone from when he started – incredible!
Regarding his strength, Shaun has gone from being able to do 2-3 press ups maximum when he started, to now doing 3x sets of 12 press ups per set. He can also now do unassisted pull-ups, something he once thought so impossible he wouldn’t even have tried.
When he first joined he could just about deadlift 25-30kg and “nearly died” doing 5 calories on the assault bike under 40 seconds. Fast forward three and a half years and he regularly deadlifts 110kg, and does 10 calories on the assault bike in about 18 seconds x3 rounds!
And these are just a few snippets of the changes that Shaun has seen in his strength, stamina, fitness and overall body transformation. He even starts to feel a bit anxious if he has to go away or miss a session at PP due to illness, as he just can’t picture his life without it now.
He loves the fact that he works hard for 55 minutes and achieves so much. Gone are the days of going to a gym for three hours but actually probably only doing 20 minutes of a decent workout then spending the rest of the time watching TV, sitting in a jacuzzi or just going through the motions waiting to go home!
“Overall I feel amazing, my posture is 1000 times better, no aches and twinges that I used to constantly live with, and to go from a 40 inch waist to a 32 is just unreal.”
Related: Sue achieved the body shape she always wanted in her 60s and feels fitter than ever
Would you recommend Performance Project to others?
“I would recommend Performance Project to everyone, no matter what age, weight or ability because none of those things matter here. There are no egos, and no uncomfortable feeling because you might not be as good at something as others. The trainers teach everyone the same, they really know their stuff and they make sure you get the best from them as well as getting the best for you.”
Shaun feels that Performance Project is unlike any other gym that he has ever tried. He didn’t stick to other gyms as there was little or no accountability. He likes the fact that at PP you book your session and someone expects you to turn up.
He has found that having semi private sessions and a trainer constantly teaching him, advising him, showing him correct technique, and supporting him in his goals has made a huge difference to his motivation and mindset.
And Shaun is reminded of why he first fell in love with PP every time he trains. He loves the way he feels at the end of a session, even when he didn’t really feel like going beforehand.
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He recommends Performance Project to others who want to find a place to commit to. He feels that, in return, the trainers are all committed to each and every member to help them achieve their own individual goals.
Shaun said he can’t thank Performance Project enough for the mindset it has helped him cultivate – which has in turn helped him to live an active life rather than a restricted one – and for the physical results he has achieved … but he has put the hard work in and achieved those results himself.
Shaun now hates the thought of living without PP and missing out on the family atmosphere that exists here.
In his own words: “If Carlsberg did gyms, Performance Project would be their model, as far as I am concerned.”
Shaun, we salute you … and the place just wouldn’t be the same without you!
If Shaun’s story has inspired you to start your own fitness journey, contact us here.
