As part of our new #WEAREAUSactive campaign, we will be showcasing the inspiring journeys and achievements of our AUSactive members across Australia.
This week we’re highlighting Josh Annesley, NSW-based Level 3 AUSactive exercise professional and seasoned coach with 28 years of experience. Josh is a gym owner and co business partner of Vale Tudo Training, specialising in rugby league development and hybrid group training.
Josh also coaches for the South Sydney Rabbitohs Junior Bunnies program and owns Footy Headz, a rugby league development business dedicated to helping young players reach their potential in both rugby and life.
Meet Josh Annesley
How long have you been a member with AUSactive?
I first registered with Fitness NSW back in 1996 after completing a course through FIA when I was still at school. I have been a coach for 28 years.
What motivated you to pursue a career in the exercise and active health industry?
As a kid I was getting into a bit of trouble at school and outside of school. This led me to being dragged down to the local Police Boys Club for some boxing training. My dad's best mate turned out to be the mentor that I needed in life. He introduced me to training people and all I ever wanted to do was become a boxer, play rugby league or be a coach. I am lucky that I have got to experience all three at different levels. I also designed a gym in year 10 design and tech class that I wanted to own, so I manifested this from an early age.
What qualifications do you hold?
- Diploma in fitness – loftus tafe
- Cert 3 & 4 in fitness
- Kettlebell level 1 & 2 cert
- Australian strength coach level 1 & 2
- Exos strength coach
- Precision nutrition level 1
- ASCA Level 1 S & C coach currently doing this
What has your journey as an exercise professional looked like so far?
I started training people in parks and mum and dad's backyard to owning gyms for the last 17 years. I had to close one gym during Covid which was very tough, but I found my PT business a new home and have kept on moving forward. I am also a business owner with a brand called Vale Tudo Training, we are a hybrid group training business with gyms in Botany, Galesville and Picton.
I am a coach with the South Sydney Rabbitohs junior bunnies program plus I own a Rugby League development business called Footy Headz. Footy Headz is all about helping young rugby league players achieve their potential in rugby league and life.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, personally or professionally?
I am most proud of my beautiful family, my wife Bianca and our daughters Olivia and Georgia.
Professionally I am proud of my journey from a teenage delinquent to pursuing my dreams as an athlete and then owning my own gyms and working nonstop as a coach for 28 years. I feel blessed and do not take my role for granted, I am very grateful that I get to do what I do for a living.
What has been your biggest challenge as an exercise professional?
Covid, we were treated like criminals. I had people calling the police on me for training people, abusing me for spreading Covid and sending me threatening messages on social media.
We were looked after financially during Covid regarding the Government giving us tax breaks, but it could have been handled differently if we had our time again.
How did AUSactive help you overcome this challenge, if applicable?
I think it is very important to have a governing body who oversees this space and the fitness industry. I believe AUSactive is doing a great job and has a great vision for the future of our industry.
What would you advise for someone thinking about a career in the exercise and active health industry?
Do it… it is an amazingly rewarding industry with plenty of opportunities for the right person to succeed but it is a tough industry.
You must wear plenty of hats and be open to learning and understanding that we are in the service industry, so it is our job to provide a high-level service and experience while also getting results.
What is the favorite part of your job?
The fact that I manifested this from my year 10 design and tech class. I designed a gym for an exam I had, and I just kept chasing that dream.
What has been your highlight of being an AUSactive member?
Being asked to do this interview, haha.
Check out Josh's full profile here.
