How a trio of ‘fat’ farmers is inspiring rural folk everywhere to get fit — and the reason why

Three 40-something country larrikins have emerged as unlikely fitness poster boys, inspiring the nation’s rural folk to get in shape.

Maitland farmers Greg Hean, Ben Wundersitz and Scott Hoyle founded Fat Farmers to help farmers improve their mental and physical health. Picture: Tom Huntley

When a trio of farmers stopped running out with the lads in the local footy side, they started to get, well, “a bit fat”.

While the 40-something country larrikins initially joked about their expanding waistlines, they didn’t find becoming out of breath so funny.

Maitland grain grower Ben “Wundy” Wundersitz says for him there was a “defining moment”.

“I noticed I was puffing around the yard when I was working … but it was when I was climbing Ayers Rock (Uluru) with the kids and (wife) Belinda and started puffing that I really thought, ‘well this is no good, I am going to have to do something’,” Mr Wundersitz said.

Greg Hean, Scott Hoyle (kneeling) and Ben Wundersitz, are part of the Fat Farmers. Picture: Tom Huntley

So, when the affable fellow with a country drawl got home, he joined his good mate “Heanie” – farmer Greg Hean – at the local gym.

“We’d both stopped playing sport and had started to get a bit fat, Heanie’s wife had got him started at the gym in our little town … at the time, he was the only male among 60-odd females; blokes in rural South Australia just didn’t go to the gym.

“I couldn’t believe how much better I felt within weeks of going, my cardio improved, the puffing stopped and so did the snoring my wife had been complaining about … I was mentally clearer and getting more done in the workday, too.”

Farming mate Scott Hoyle also joined and the community-minded men – who have lost about 30kg between them – tried to get other local blokes motivated.

But it wasn’t easy – taking a sausage sizzle, or two, to spark a bit of interest.

“We started having a barbecue on the footpath outside the gym … we’ve probably 40 blokes signed up now,” Mr Wundersitz said.

That was 12 years ago and the impetus for Fat Farmers, a not-for-profit aimed to help farmers improve their mental and physical health, mainly through gathering to exercise at the gym or in walking groups.

Scott Hoyle, Ben Wundersitz and Greg Hean are committed to helping farmers everywhere live their best life. Picture: Tom Huntley

“We’re a bit quirky, we have fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously … it is all about having a crack; about community, connection and living a better lifestyle,” Mr Wundersitz said.

“Often in rural Australia the only real social time you get post playing sport is in the pub but at the gym, you end up with a whole network of mates and have different conversations to those in the pub.

“Those conversations are vitally important; farming is a pretty serious business in 2024 and there are challenges everywhere … droughts, fires, climate variability, external (global factors) … the weight of having four or five generations who have made this their way of life.”

The concept has now been embraced in almost 20 communities across the state as well as in New South Wales and Victoria.

The Adelaide-based Hospital Research Foundation Group has just announced a new two-year partnership to extend its reach even further, CEO Paul Flynn pointing to reduced access to GPs and health services in rural areas.

“If we can get in at the prevention stage, helping people to live a healthier lifestyle and be active, then we’re one step closer to improving the overall health of regional communities … men don’t always have to catch up at the pub,” Mr Flynn said.

The charity’s newly-appointed general manager Michael Williams agrees.

“Life on the land can be isolating … it is heartwarming to sit and watch as blokes just talk and reconnect at the gym … I can’t tell you how many phone calls I have received from appreciative wives,” he said.