Mackay’s best personal trainer’s transformative journey to the top

Emerging from a dark past of substance abuse, Mackay’s best personal trainer for 2023 turned to a career in fitness and health to help others facing similar hardships.

A reformed ex-con and recovered addict has turned his life around to become an advocate for health and fitness.

Recognised for his dedication to his clients and his transformative journey, Keith Blaney, a personal trainer at World Gym Mackay has been crowned the region’s best personal trainer for 2023.

In the past 10 years, Mr Blaney has battled with substance abuse, domestic struggles, and mental health issues following the strain of family separation.

His rehabilitation journey, marked by eight months of sobriety and his ongoing progress towards reuniting with his younger children, has been aided by the unwavering support of the organisations, St. Vincent’s, Lives of Well, Peer Motivation, and Narcotics Anonymous.

Mr Blaney is pictured with his eldest son Brooklyn, who he has maintained a strong relationship with.

Ever since he could remember, Mr Blaney has always wanted to work as a personal trainer, and to dedicate his life to health and fitness.

Working mostly in the mining industry as a boiler maker and supervisor, it wasn’t until he obtained his qualification in 2019 and opened his business, Elevation 24/7 Personal Training and Wellness, in August last year that he finally began working in his dream career.

Relocating his business to World Gym Mackay four months ago (from a mobile service), Mr Blaney is a level 1 health and wellness coach, with about 30 face-to-face sessions a week.

“My favourite part of my job is seeing my clients achieve the goals they set out, and overcome obstacles,” he said.

“I have people come in here with anxiety, and have never been in a gym before.

To see them two weeks later with a totally different mindset training hard and happy, that’s what makes me happy.”

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Mr Blaney is most passionate about supporting others who have faced similar challenges, and showcase how recovery and transformation are possible with the support of both organisations and family.

“A lot of my clientele have gone through similar things (to me), and I want to show them that you can get to the other side with the support of these organisations and family.

I believe that health and fitness plays a vital role in that, and I like to provide that to the community with the help of World Gym.”

In his spare time, Mr Blaney also works with Peer Motivation, supporting people with informed trauma and with mental and physical disabilities in his way to give back to the community.

He is currently completing his sports nutrition specialist certification, and is in the early stages of developing in a mentoring program, with the assistance from his own mentor and training facility.

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The program aims to assist individuals who, much like himself, are in the process of reintegrating into the community after battling similar hardships by using health and fitness as a pathway successfully.

“This award has given me a platform to (support me in this endeavour),” he said.

“I felt honoured just to be nominated for the award and I don’t really know how I stayed on top.

Winning this award is massive for me and I would like to thank my family (mum, dad and my brother) for their unwavering support and the support of my clients and the great community.”

Bradley Swifte from Snap Fitness Mackay came runner up with 15 per cent of the votes.