BBC One Leicestershire Gladiators star Zack George’s inspirational weight loss journey

The Leicestershire Gladiators star may now be the pinnacle of fitness, but he hasn’t always been in tip-top shape. Zack George managed to transform his body – and his life – on a journey that saw him crowned ‘Britain’s Best Man’. But insecurities about his weight pushed him into adolescence.

Zack, who lives in Sileby, became a household name earlier this year after landing a coveted role in the BBC’s reboot of the 90s classic Gladiators. Zack, who is a personal trainer and runs his own gym in Queniborough, has become ‘Steel’ for the new series – a Gladiator who can appear daunting but deep down is kind and encouraging to the contestants.

This may very well be a case of art imitating life. Zack, who was severely overweight as a child and struggled with confidence and mental health issues through binge eating, is now a children’s fitness advocate dedicated to helping young people “take control of their own health.”

READ MORE: ‘Rest in peace beautiful angel’ – readers send messages of love to Xielo Maruziva’s family

The impacts on a young Zack were severe. The 12-year-old was so self-conscious that he hated to be seen shirtless under any circumstances. Speaking previously to LeicestershireLive, he said: “The swimming sessions at school were the worst. I just hated having to take my top off. I would avoid the situation as much as I could.

“I knew my weight was a real problem, but I put my head in the sand about it. I tried to shrug it off.”

Zack continued to pile on the pounds until a breaking point came in his teenage years. His father’s offer of a Playstation in exchange for weight loss was the start of what would become a mega journey of weight loss and transformation. Teenager Zack changed everything about his lifestyle by giving up junk food and focusing instead on being fit and active – something he says he surprisingly enjoyed.

He said: “I didn’t use scales but you could see the weight fell off me and I picked up the PlayStation. Result. It was great and for the first time I felt good.”

Zack never looked back and continued training into his 20s. In 2020, he secured the title of ‘Britain’s Fittest Man’ after winning the UK CrossFit challenge and is now so strong he can deadlift 220kg – the equivalent of three and a half washing machines. This year he made his TV debut as Steel on Gladiators – a role he will return to for the second series – and hopes his newfound TV fame can inspire others struggling with their weight.

That’s why Zack launched Zactiv – a fitness initiative for school kids of all ages. It aims to engage children with the benefits of being as healthy as possible, with age-appropriate grouping helping children aged three to 16 to learn essential life lessons. The workshops are taking place in the East Midlands, but there is hope to expand them further and encourage more children to be healthy.

Zack said, “When I go to the schools, the kids just go crazy. Seeing someone in their school that they may have seen on TV just the weekend before… they just lose their minds. I want to use my story and profile to inspire children and young people to take charge of their own health. The impact of litter consumption can have such a negative impact on not only physical but also mental health. By promoting regular exercise and healthy eating, we can change this trend.”

Zack knows firsthand how improving fitness can open doors for many who struggle within themselves – regardless of their age. He said: “Growing up, I wasn’t happy in my own skin, but with the support of my family and my dedication to achieving my goals, I changed that through exercise and healthy eating. I want to be a role model for children. I hope my story will inspire any of those kids struggling with weight or fitness and show them exactly what can be achieved.

“This is an extremely personal mission. i want to give back I want to show every child that anything is possible. If I can make a difference and help even one child get fitter and healthier, it will be an absolute privilege.”

Now we bring you the latest updates on WhatsApp first