Exercise Training in Evington with John Mullon
John Mullon came to Evington as the tutor for a 24-session free course called ‘Steady Steps’ organised and paid for by Active Leicester. This course took place at Evington Village Hall.
John is totally dedicated to helping people move for life and realise that they can overcome any health challenges with movement to strengthen muscles, balance exercises and above all awareness of their own bodies, so they can find out where they are and develop on that. “You’ve got to have the will and determination”, he said.
John’s life story is all about having this will and determination. When John was six years old he suffered from polio, which left him bedridden for a year. With physiotherapy he was able to walk again at the age of eight, but was left with his confidence smashed. He had hospital tutors, but on returning to main school he was a very quiet and nervous boy and never took part in Sports Days. Then at 12 years of age he decided to do something about himself and joined fitness classes and learned Karate and Judo. He had found school intimidating and needed a survival outlet, which was fitness. He had many dark days and couldn’t wait to leave school, which happened when he was 16. He started to train as a car mechanic, but this didn’t work out. Training in carpentry didn’t work out either. At the age of 19, he joined the army and months later he went into the Reserve Royal Marines (1990-1992). The army training for fitness was tough, but when he joined the Royal Marine Reserves Training, it was even tougher. John was one of just six who made it out of the 30 who started. He had pushed himself so hard to overcome the disabilities polio had left.
In 1991, as a reservist for the Royal Marines he could have been called up to fight in the 1st Gulf War. His family were thankful this didn’t happen. He got a driving licence and was delivering beer and continued as a part time marinist, but the job, with Saturday deliveries clashed, so he left the marines in 1992. He next took a regular career in the forces and joined the parachute regiment. Unfortunately serious injuries to his left knee and the ball of his foot meant he had to give up. He was unable to fight in Serbia/Bosnia, Sierra Leone or Afghanistan. The injuries could have saved his life.
1994 was the year of reassessment. He felt ‘too messed up” psychologically and knew he needed to change. He went to College and studied for an H.N.C (Higher National Certificate) qualification in Business and Finance. Then following this he did agency work. In 2002 he entered the fitness industry and worked at a gym in Warwick as a paid trainer. Then also at Coventry Sports Centre and other centres. He worked as a Life Guard at Livingstone Baths, a fitness instructor and an Assistant Centre supervisor in a number of sites in Coventry City. He became an exercise referral coordinator and consultant, an advanced disability instructor, an Indoor cycling instructor, a circuit instructor, an advanced fitness instructor, a combat instructor and a personal trainer. He did it all! All this time he was training. In 2003 he obtained his first black belt in Aikido and studied mixed martial arts, kick boxing and Wing Kung Fu. He received his 2nd Dan belt in Aikido in 2017 and also another black belt in a different style of Aikido that same year. But by November 2017 he had to retire because of injuries.
Following this he trained in cardio rehabilitation as a fitness instructor, Level 4. He has done later life training and postural stability instruction.
His satisfaction comes in being able to help people to get better and achieve their goals. To some people he may seem tough and too firm, but this is because he wants people to achieve results.
For the future he wants to move away from main stream gyms to work in the community. His mission is to help people physically and to help people build character. “Nobody should laugh at the disabled” he commented.
His life experiences with overcoming disability and fighting against disability on a day to day basis has led to a caring but determined to succeed trainer, who is supported by his partner and children.
After 24 Wednesday sessions in Evington, John said, “I really enjoyed taking this class.” The class were so grateful they organised a gift voucher thank you for John and invited him to join them at a social gathering at the Cedars. They all hope John will come back to Evington.
