Meet the Trainers

8 December 2011

MATT MILLER AKA ‘MILLER THE PILLAR'

Matt Miller looks like a real-life super-hero from a Marvel comic book. Built like a house, the Californian is a three time super heavyweight bodybuilding champion from Venice Beach and claims to be truly bionic - complete with a titanium hip to prove it.

Despite having the soul of a sunny Californian, Matt is known to rip off his t-shirts with passion and aggression in equal measure. This die hard gym-nut really could give the Incredible Hulk a run for his money.

‘Miller the Pillar' as he is known has been a personal trainer for 10 years, but be warned, he doesn't do failure when it comes to attaining the body beautiful. His motto in fitness is quite simply "Work it out!" and his approach is a holistic one - mind, body, and spirit to achieve total wellness and body reshaping.

 Why did you become a trainer?  I was part of my own reconstruction both physically and emotionally. Physically, I was one of the first people to have a total titanium hip replacement, which nearly destroyed me, and emotionally, I lost a business in the fall out of 9/11 and turned to drugs as a relief mechanism. 

What makes your style of training unique? I creep inside the mind of my clients so that the image and voice of me is inside their heads, even when I am not around !

What's the main philosophy you instil in your clients? With food, its ‘you are what you do and what you eat'. For training: ‘use physical exercise in the most efficient and targeted way possible for your goals'. 

What can viewers expect from you during the series? You can expect me to be more than meets the eye. Not just jug head Baywatch bodybuilder...

What do you think will surprise viewers about the realities of life inside a gym? I think they'll be surprised how people can actually change themselves so dramatically, and also how emotional and healing the process can be. For example with my client Jack who you'll see in the series, he surpassed my expectations and my influence on him extends beyond the weight loss itself. He's got a new job, he's dating ...

What do you want viewers to learn from the series? I want people to believe in the positive power of personal change.

What's the most outrageous thing you've done in the name of fitness? I smuggled liquid protein drinks on a long haul flight once! You couldn't do that now with security! 

 

 DALIA MIKNEVICIUTE

Lithuanian stunner Dalia, 42, is head and shoulders above the rest, literally. At 6ft 2 (6ft 7 in heels!) she is a towering inferno and specialises in Pilates, core control in movement and Plyometric training. And she just happens to be a former International High Jumper, ranked the third all-time best high jumper in Lithuania!  She also won Bronze and Gold in the European Club Cup.

Dalia is a diva. She's over-the-top and incredibly blunt with her clients. She has the amazing looks and presence of a 1940's movie star and can often be seen training her clients in her Ms Red Hot shorts, tights and high heels!

Dalia has been a personal trainer for 10 years after retiring from athletics and is a slave to discipline and incorporates a tough ‘boot camp' style on her clients.

Why did you become a trainer? Sport and exercise are in my DNA.  Having been educated and trained at a sports school from age 11, I subsequently graduated from University with a Sports Science degree.  Following retirement I decided to focus on helping others achieve their goals through my own unique style of coaching.  I have always felt privileged to be able to make a difference to my client's lives, offering my expertise and in return I watch them develop and achieve their goals. 

What makes your style of training unique?:  My style has developed through (too many) years of involvement in coaching.  I pride myself on constant education and development of myself, not only as a coach, but also as a person.  I always try any new approaches to exercise on myself, testing theories and adapting them for specific clients, based upon my years of experience. 

What's your main philosophy you instil in your clients?:  A belief in themselves that they can achieve their goal while having fun.

What can viewers expect from you during the series? Expect anything!  All executed with professionalism, creativity and lots of fun.

What has been your highlight to date during filming? I am incredibly proud and happy with how my clients Salley and Jenai and the way they've performed.  I am really surprised how committed they have been with diet and exercise.  They didn't moan and they achieved good results.  I couldn't ask for better!

How have you seen your new recruits that you're transforming in the series change?: They have learnt new skills, they now feel comfortable in the gym environment and they are much fitter and much more confident. 

What do you want viewers to learn from the series?:  Any goals you set yourself can be achieved while having fun. 

What's the most outrageous thing you've done in the name of fitness?:  Let's face it, not everyone wears high heels in the gym, do they!

 

DAN CORBETT

Built like an action man, tanned and covered in tattoos with a platinum blonde mohawk, 35 year old Dan Corbett wouldn't look out of place in a Guy Ritchie Brit Flick. In fact his dream client would be an action movie star that he could really put through their paces.

Dan has been training people for almost seven years and has competed as a natural body building across Europe, recently coming third in European Championships for Musclemania 2011. His specialism is body sculpting and body shaping.  And, in his own words, appealing to people's vanity!

 Why did you become a trainer? I became a trainer because I wanted to improve my own personal development and my knowledge of the industry.  I felt I was always getting bad and confusing advice from other people, so I wanted to find the answers out for myself.  And then my friends started asking me for advice and asking me to train them.  And when they started to pay me for it, it finally became my living. 

What makes your style of training unique? I get results!  My style is unique because I adapt to different people's needs and to my clientele, which increases my chances of getting more results. 

What's your main philosophy you instil in your clients? I always say ‘the point of pain is the point of change'.  I educate my clients as much as possible. 

What can viewers expect from you during the series?  They can expect to see lots of laughs!  And they should expect to learn from me. 

What do you think may surprise viewers about the realities of life inside a gym?  That you don't just hire a Personal Trainer and get results - You have to put the hard work in too.  Viewers will see that, yes there are all these beautiful people walking around with good bodies, but it comes at a price.

How have you seen your new recruits that you're transforming in the series change? Anyone that's been training with me has been getting results and changing their bodies they way they wanted to.  They all wanted a similar thing - to change the way they look.   Seeing you clients getting results and seeing the journey they go on,  that's the reward itself.  That's why I do this business.

What do you want viewers to learn from the series? I want viewers to learn how to get off their arses and to learn that exercise doesn't have to be a chore: it can be fun as well!

What's the most outrageous thing you've done in the name of fitness? Putting on a skin tight orange suit and bouncing around a studio!

 

TAMAYA ADAMS

32 year-old-Tamaya is a ‘real Pussycat Doll' having devised Gymbox's popular Pussycat Dolls workout class. She has a body to die for and she's very proud of that fact along with all the vital statistics and qualifications to back it up - and an enviable 22 inch waist!

The self-confessed show off loves strutting her stuff around the gym wearing her glamorous gym kit to show off her tight abs. She claims to have a big gay following and loves being the ultimate ‘fag hag'.

The former dental nurse works as a Fitness Model and is Reebok's Master Trainer for the UK.  Tamaya also has celebrity clients including Erin O'Connor, and in the past she has worked with Kelly Brook. Her specialism is weight loss.

Why did you become a trainer? I am fascinated with how amazing the human body is, and anatomy is one of my favourite subjects. I also love to move, dance and be creative. Personal Training is a fusion of all my passions.

What makes your style of training unique? I think outside the box. It's all about finding creative ways to work the body and suit the individual.

What's your main philosophy you instil in your clients? Be strong, the mind controls the body!! Inner confidence is just as, if not more, important in making someone feel good.

How have you seen your new recruits that you're transforming in the series change? They have changed in body shape, in confidence, self esteem and lifestyle. All the ways we, as trainers, would expect.

What do you want viewers to learn from the series? To be educated and learn that there are many ways to keep fit and healthy. If you find a way that suits you then use it. If not, create one! If you take care of your body, it will take care of you.

What's the most outrageous thing you've done in the name of fitness? It depends what you class as outrageous?! I make it my business to think of crazy ideas to keep the nation fit! But I guess people would say wearing fancy dress whilst teaching classes!