Ex-Scots Guards and PARA soldier offering the free fitness courses to veterans

SAIQA CHAUDHARI reports

WHEN ex-Scots Guards and Para soldier Michael Weetman left the armed forces he was left completely overwhelmed and without support.

He was turned down for jobs and struggled to establish a new sense of identity outside of the services.

Now a qualified personal trainer, the 33-year-old is using his experience to help others.

“The resettlement for ‘my generation’ of leavers has a few hours writing mock CVs and then when you’re out, you’re out, the army doesn’t care,” said Michael, “You find it absolutely impossible to make new connections and maintain existing ones.

“A lot of blokes isolate themselves and you can become very bitter and angry. That’s when the dramas start.

He explained: “ I found most of my issues after leaving came from the complete lack of identity outside the military. An immediate removal of purpose, which had been the foundation of my resilience and discipline, were no longer there and I was completely overwhelmed.

“I had no focus, no support, and felt that there was literally no point in doing anything, which had a detrimental effect on myself and those around me. Because of my experience, I want to help others facing the same challenges.”

“That’s why there has been so much success with groups of blokes teaming up to reconnect with each other and supporting one another after leaving.”

Michael grew up in the army, joining at the age of 17-years-old, and completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and was totally prepared for life outside the forces.

“I had grown up in the army and after I completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan I felt I had experienced all the infantry could offer me,” he said, “I think you realise really quickly upon leaving that you possess absolutely no transferable skills,” said Michael, “ I was out on ‘Civvy Street’ for just four months after Afghanistan and found myself completely overwhelmed with how things worked outside.

“I was turned down for a job serving pasties and was informed I was under qualified to sell shoes. It leaves you feeling very bitter, you begin to feel obsolete.”

After receiving a series of knock-backs, Michael retrained in the fitness industry and is a personal trainer is based at The Fitness Room at Burnden Business Park.

He said: “For the past 12 years I have been a strength and conditioning coach. I work with a wide range of clients, from your everyday Joe to professional athletes. I also work with a unique team of mentors and educators who help me connect with people I coach on a much more meaningful level.

“After dealing with my own issues I now use my experiences to improve the lives of others. I use the gym as an artificial means to create stress, which is something veterans miss.

“We had a high stress job, where other people had to rely on you to do your job, there were expectations expectations and there were responsibilities. My training systems help re-establish the connection to that stress and provide a positive focus in order to reconnect clients with their purpose.

“When working with clients I like to challenge their way of thinking by empowering them to explore their deeper individual purpose.

“This enables them to reflect on who they are, and helps them to change what is needed in their lives, be a better human, and live a more fulfilling life!”

The free sessions for tri-service veterans will run throughout November and December and January

Midweek, Michael runs two classes at 6am, five classes as 10am and a class at 7am on a Saturday.

For more information, contact Michael at @mweetman on Instagram