Antony loses 90kg and now motivates others at Westway Sports and Fitness Centre
A moment in a local park was all it took to change Antony Ellison’s life.
The 31-year-old North Kensington resident was watching a father tell his children to go and play without him because he was too big to join in. It struck a chord. Antony didn’t have children himself, but in that moment, he knew he wanted to be fit enough to never face that situation in the future.
That experience in 2019 became the turning point in an extraordinary journey, one that would see Antony lose 90kg, rediscover his health and confidence and eventually start a new career at the very gym where it all began.
A sound engineer by trade, Antony joined Westway Sports and Fitness Centre with one clear goal - to improve his health and invest in his future.
“This wasn’t about looking good, it was about staying alive longer,” he said. “Health really is wealth.”
Starting small with twice-weekly gym sessions, he taught himself proper techniques through YouTube videos and going with a friend.
But as his confidence grew, so did his commitment. Soon he was visiting multiple times a day, determined to stick with his new lifestyle. The dramatic results speak for themselves - stunning before and after photos show Antony's incredible 90kg weight loss transformation that has amazed everyone at the centre.
As Antony became a familiar face around Westway, his friendly nature caught the attention of management.
Contract Manager Ian Ling offered him a casual position in 2023, which quickly became permanent. "Antony was a member of our gym for a few years and his transformation has been absolutely life-changing," said Ian. "He became an established and well-liked member of the team straight away."
Working on reception and front of house, Antony discovered his calling in the social side of fitness.
He loves welcoming customers, learning their stories, and giving them that extra bit of motivation. "I genuinely love connecting with people when they come in - asking what they worked on, cheering them on, finding out how their session went," said Antony. "Because I live so close, I really know the community. People become more than just gym members - they become friends."
Ian describes Antony as having "natural flair" and being "a community man who genuinely cares about people."
Antony's dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. At Westway's annual awards ceremony, he first scooped the "Social Butterfly of the Year" award before being crowned "Customer Service Colleague of the Year" for the entire contract.
Now he's taking the next step - training to become a qualified Personal Trainer through an apprenticeship with Westway and Lifetime Training. "I want to give back and help people achieve what I've achieved," said Antony. "The fact that I'll be a personal trainer at the same place where I started my own transformation - it's come full circle really."
His message to anyone thinking about starting their fitness journey is simple: "Don't wait - start today. We all have an expiry date, so make every day count. It's about adding years to your life, not just life to your years."
Westway Sports and Fitness Centre is managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Westway Trust.
For more information about membership and facilities, visit: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/westway-sports-fitness-centre/