The person behind Coach Ilz
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
Fitness is now a major part of my life, but I know what life feels like before health becomes a priority. My story spans corporate IT, people leadership, late nights, social drinking, family health and a complete change in how I choose to live.
People Leader
I spent around a decade leading and coaching people in my corporate career before becoming a personal trainer.
.png)
IT & Deployments
I worked in software deployment, where late releases and disrupted sleep could stretch until four or five in the morning.
.png)
Smart Coaching
My coaching focuses on clear training, practical nutrition and habits that work around real responsibilities.
.png)
Family & Health
My father's prostate cancer diagnosis changed how I thought about longevity, responsibility and the example we set for those around us.
.png)
MY STORY
From late nights and poor habits to a healthier, more capable life.
.png)
Where It Started
Before fitness became part of my life, my days revolved around work, food, alcohol and socialising.
My IT and software deployment career involved late nights, inconsistent sleep and an after-work drinking culture that felt normal at the time.
Exercise was sporadic, my waist reached around 36 to 38 inches, and I was wearing XL or XXL clothing without thinking seriously about my long-term health.
.png)
Finding My Turning Point
That changed in 2020.
My father's prostate cancer diagnosis made me think seriously about family history, longevity and the difference between what I could and could not control.
Around the same time, a back injury caused by something as simple as sneezing showed me how physically vulnerable I had become.
Rebuilding Myself
I began with walking, then trained consistently and worked with a personal trainer four times per week.
I also changed my relationship with food and alcohol, replacing an all-or-nothing lifestyle with better daily decisions.
The progress was not only physical. It changed my energy, confidence, mindset and understanding of what fitness is really for.
.png)
What Coach Ilz Means
Coach Ilz was built around a simple belief. Fitness should improve the way you live, not take your life over.
You cannot control genetics, circumstance or every challenge that comes your way. You can control many of the choices you repeat each day.
My role is to help you turn those choices into a practical structure that builds strength, health and confidence for the long term.
.png)
Why I Do This Now
Before becoming a personal trainer, I spent around a decade leading and coaching people in my corporate career. That taught me how to listen, understand what is holding someone back and help them make practical changes.
I now combine that human approach with structured training, practical nutrition and honest accountability.
My goal is to help busy professionals, fathers and vegetarians become stronger, healthier and more capable without relying on extremes.
MY JOURNEY
The experiences that shaped Coach Ilz
Our Features
BEFORE 2020
Life on Autopilot
Work, late-night deployments, disrupted sleep, drinking and unrestricted eating had become normal. Exercise was inconsistent and long-term health was not a priority.
2020
The Wake-Up Call
My father's prostate cancer diagnosis and a sudden back injury forced me to think seriously about health, family history and the future I was creating through my habits.
THE DECISION
Focus on What I Could Control
I could not control genetics or every circumstance, but I could control how I ate, moved, trained, slept and looked after my body each day.
THE PROCESS
Building Consistency
I began walking, trained consistently, worked with a personal trainer four times per week and changed my relationship with food and alcohol.
THE RESULT
More Than a Physical Change
The transformation changed far more than my appearance. It improved my energy, confidence, mindset and understanding of what fitness allows us to do.
THE NEXT STEP
From People Leader to Personal Trainer
After around a decade of leading and coaching people in the corporate world, I turned that experience towards personal training and behaviour change.
TODAY
Helping Others Change
Today, Coach Ilz helps busy professionals, fathers and vegetarians build strength, improve their health and create habits that last.
Ready to Start Your Own Fitness Journey?
If my story feels familiar, this is your sign to stop putting it off. Whether you want to lose weight, feel stronger, build confidence or finally feel comfortable in the gym, I’m here to guide you through it properly.
No pressure.
No judgement.
Just support, structure and a plan that works around real life.
Contact Me
Whether you want personal training, online coaching, support as a busy father or vegetarian nutrition guidance, it starts with a simple conversation.