I have a background in both marine science and software engineering. After working as a scientist, I left to pursue coaching and sport full-time. What followed was a humbling journey of failure, persistence, and breakthrough.
This is what I learned — the hard way.
I opened The Bodyweight Gym in 2017 — a calisthenics studio in Perth, Australia. For four years, I coached everyone from complete beginners to competitive athletes.
In the fitness industry, two skills immediately set you apart as a trainer: a strict ring muscle-up and a freestanding handstand. So that's what I learned to teach.
Problem was, I had no gymnastics background. I was a 30-something adult learning from scratch.
The first 12 months nearly broke me. Months of wrist pain before I figured out that wrist conditioning had to come FIRST. I couldn't hold a handstand for more than a few seconds because my wrists weren't ready to bear weight.
I learned the hard way what most programmes ignore: your wrists, shoulders, and core need specific preparation before you ever go upside down.
The breakthrough came when I stopped rushing and started respecting the timeline. Eight weeks of wrist conditioning before attempting any handstand work. It changed everything.
Left science career to open The Bodyweight Gym in Perth. Zero coaching experience. Everything to learn.
Coached hundreds of people through their first muscle-up and handstand. Built the programmes through real experience, not theory.
Created structured training programmes so anyone, anywhere can access the same coaching. No fluff. No shortcuts.
Adults who never did gymnastics have zero wrist preparation. Eight weeks of conditioning prevents months of pain.
Each level has a concrete test. You don't move on until your body proves it's ready.
A freestanding handstand takes a year. Not 30 days. Respect the timeline or get injured.
Just progressive overload, periodisation, and patience. The basics work.
Six levels. 48+ week journey. Graduation tests at each stage. Everything I learned, packaged for you.