Burpengary personal trainer injured in horror accident inspires social media campaign

A social media movement to keep people moving inspired by a popular Burpengary personal trainer has taken off as the 23-year-old recovers from “breaking half his body”.

A social media campaign urging people to get active has taken off, in honour of a popular personal trainer injured in a horror motorbike accident.

Rhys Johnson was heading to footy training when he came off his motorbike on September 17, north of Brisbane.

The accident was so severe that Youngs Crossing Road at Petrie was closed for several hours.

The 23-year-old broke his femur, has a compound fracture of his tibula and fibula, an open fracture on his left arm and two fractures in his pelvis.

He underwent six hours of surgery the day after the accident with titanium rods, bolts and screws inserted to bring the PT back together.

Remarkably, he’s already up and moving, showing his drive and determination.

“They said I would be in a hospital bed for three to six months,” Mr Johnson said.

“But yesterday, I walked on my own, a long way and I'm super happy about that.

“In the end I said think of me as a weight in the gym so spot me, don‘t touch me just be there ready to catch me.

“They're calling me the miracle motorbike kid.”

It will be a while before he is back in the gym and doing what he loves best.

His mother, Linda Johnson, 51, is adamant her middle son should stick with his dreams despite the accident and repeated Covid restrictions.

“He‘s often thought maybe it’s time to look for something else because it’s been so hard (with Covid),” she said.

“I’ve said to him I don’t want you to, this is your passion, you are good at it.

“Unfortunately, his finances are a huge concern at this time and any donation or financial help offered will be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

“Asking for help is not willingly something Rhys will do, therefore as his family and close friends we owe him the kindness to do so for him.”

Close friend and colleague Danny Bibby met Mr Johnson five years ago.

The 30-year-old says since that day they’ve been firm friends, so he was only too happy to jump into action and do anything he could to help out.

“Literally within days it felt like he’d been there for years – he just has that warmth about him,” he said.

“For a bloke it’s very rare to come across someone that will actually ask you a question and then listen to your response.

“Most people will want to cut you off and … it turns into a conversation about them, he’s just not like that.

“In the gym he’s known for making time to listen to you, to have that conversation and he doesn’t bring any negativity to the conversation.”

World Gym Burpengary as well as his many clients and friends have also jumped on board to support Rhys.

His colleagues and friends have organised a fundraising morning this Saturday, October 2 hosting three classes as well as a sausage sizzle.

“Anyone can come down and take part, it’s $20 and everything is going to him,” Mr Bibby said.

“We’ve got his jerseys for everyone to sign, we’ve got a sausage sizzle and a slushie machine.”

Something the former Morayfield State High Student says he’s incredibly grateful for.

“I’ve had some messages from some incredible people who I never thought would message me,” Mr Johnson said.

“Once upon a time I moved to Sydney (from New Zealand) and I got bullied for being a kiwi and now I’m here with a football stadium of followers.

“I remember what it’s like to be a nobody and it’s my choices that lead me here.

“I won’t be one of these statistics so I’m going to get this sh*t done.”

83 donors have so far contributed more than $8000 to Mr Johnson’s fundraising campaign.

To help support Rhys on his journey, you can visit this link.