When I was 19 years young I took a leap of faith and went to Australia because I wanted adventure and to find out what I really wanted to do with my life. I am sure you have been there. It was phenomenal in every aspect.

My love of sport was always a big part of my life, from playing 1st Team rugby, basketball and athletics at county and national level, to competing all over Europe and becoming a county and national canoeing champion. This passion for sport led me to walk into Sydney's toughest and most prestigious professional boxing club, The Rocks Gymnasium, where I trained six days a week under the legendary trainer Bernie Hall. Bernie was a professional fighter in the 40s and 50s and later became a ringside commentator and trainer of professional fighters. With his wealth of experience and knowledge he taught me everything he knew, as well as sharing stories about old fighters and life. I picked up boxing quickly and became a sparring partner for many professional fighters training for upcoming bouts. I also helped train amateur fighters in the gym.

After spending ten months with Bernie I went to the Gold Coast and trained with his friend and top trainer Max Pescud, who trained the heavyweight David Tua. Max took me under his wing, allowed me to train with his professional fighters and taught me how to train fighters properly. I also got great sparring and helped a world martial arts champion prepare for his next fight.

After my year out I returned to London and studied for and passed my YMCA fitness training award to become a personal trainer, as well as becoming a member of Fitness Professionals. After advice from Dennie Mancini I started training at London's top amateur boxing club, Fitzroy Lodge, under the watchful and experienced eye of the late Mick Carney CBE. There I trained and sparred with David Haye, former heavyweight champion of the world, Ted Bami, former European light welterweight champion, and many other top amateurs.

My first personal training position was with the famous Matt Roberts company at the One Aldwych Hotel in London, where I spent two years learning from the head trainer and ex British Army PTI Alistair Lane, as well as Matt and John Roberts.

Working as part of an elite team of trainers was a great experience and a crucial part of my education. It built my knowledge and confidence and allowed me to break away and start my own business, which I had always dreamed of doing.

The first step started at the iconic Pineapple Dance Studios. My client base grew rapidly and I soon moved to a larger gym at the world famous Claridges Hotel. The move to Claridges catapulted my business forward and I was privileged to work with an international client list including A list actors, film producers, blue-chip company directors and royalty.

After five years at Claridges I wanted to develop my business further and moved to the Soho Hotel and Haymarket Hotel. This became my base for the next five years. I set up my own franchise of elite personal trainers, beauty therapists, masseurs and a hair and make-up team. Our team provided an unbeatable service to all Firmdale Hotel guests from around the world. My clients included Ridley Scott, Il Divo, Gerard Butler, Dr Pamela Stephenson Connolly, Simon Callow CBE, Jessica Alba, Meg Ryan, Michael Buble, Jason Statham, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and many more.

Running a team in such a high calibre hotel chain was an incredible experience, but I found myself spending too much time managing and doing admin, which meant I was neglecting my holistic approach to training. I got into this business to work closely with my clients and focus fully on their goals.

After much thought I decided to strip the business back to its core and return to being a freelance personal trainer.

It has been the best decision I have ever made. I am re-energised in the way I train my clients and I have built a strong reputation within the industry. My clients find training with me inspiring and challenging, and I know how to get the best out of them.

My unique style of training and 30 years of experience in health and fitness sets me apart from other trainers. I understand what makes my clients tick and how to improve the whole person, not just their physical fitness. For me it is about building relationships and not just turning up for an hour on the treadmill.

I keep in touch with my clients when they are away on film sets or business trips, checking what training they are doing, what they are eating and how they are feeling. This personal and outside-the-box approach is what makes me different from run of the mill personal trainers and Health coaches.

How Rod keeps himself mentally and physically in shape

• Daily meditation and gratitude list
• Fully licensed member of the Genbukan Japanese martial arts organisation - www.genbukan.org
• Boxing - trained at Fitzroy Lodge for over 20 years - www.fitzroylodge.co.uk and with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in LA - www.wildcardboxingstore.com
• Primal workouts in nature
• Dynamic strength training
• Yoga
• Wild swimming
• Long walks in the countryside
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Trained in the S.P.E.A.R self defence system - www.blauerspear.com