ITV’s Richard Callender has offered to support Loughborough College national competition winner Jack Burbank as he builds on his success.
After Jack scooped the AoC Sport Fitness Trainer Gym Instructor title, meeting the celebrity trainer was part of his prize – but now the star of ‘The Biggest Loser’ has offered to meet regularly with the 22 year old to help him achieve his ambitions.
Jack is already in line for a second national crown after again reaching the Fitness Trainer Competition finals, this time in the Personal Trainer category. He will be competing for the UK World Skills 2016 title in November for Loughborough College alongside Ai Linn Leow and Terri Musson, going head to head with the country’s top gym instructors and personal trainers.
“I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to meet Richard. He travelled from London to meet me in Leicestershire and so many people in the café where we were having breakfast recognized him from ITV and from the Body Blitz DVD he did with Charlotte from Geordie Shore. Everyone wanted a photo.
“It was brilliant to be sitting there with a celebrity who is such a big figure in the industry – and to have him ask about my background and plans for the future and to tell me how he has built his career.
“I explained my main ambition is to open my own fitness studios and performance centre for me and other trainers in ten or twelve years’ time. But when Richard said I could achieve it in six – and that he would like to meet up regularly to help me work towards my goals, I couldn’t believe it.
“He has set me tasks ahead of our next meeting which will help me look at premises, prices and promotion and begin to put together a plan. I am also creating a pitch on why I will succeed with my business, which he is going to give me feedback on.
“Richard also said he will look at photos and videos with me to help enhance my plans and that he will put me through some of his courses.
“It is amazing enough to have won the national prize and to have had the chance to benefit from Richard’s expertise – but to have his continuing endorsement is incredible.
“I feel privileged to be a finalist in the Fitness Trainer competition again this year. I have had incredible support from my family and from Mark Thorpe at Loughborough College.
“It’s a lot of early mornings and late nights to prepare but I enjoy it so much. And now I am being mentored by a fitness celebrity too – it’s crazy. A real blessing.”
The Fitness Trainer finals will take place at The Skills Show 2016 at the NEC in Birmingham from 16 to 20 November
Pictured: Loughborough College's Jack Burbank with celebrity fitness trainer Richard Callender