Ninja warrior Paul Lyons shares his fitness journey in last interview
Paul Lyons was at the top of his game — a dual Olympian running a popular Essendon North ninja gym, transforming lives and inspiring kids. Just a day before he died suddenly in his sleep, the taekwondo champ gave his last interview.
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Paul Lyons was “very humbled” to be nominated among Melbourne’s best personal trainers — especially at 50.
In an interview with the Leader a day before he died suddenly in his sleep, Lyons — who was this week named Melbourne’s second most popular trainer — said he felt lucky to be in a job where he helped people “better themselves”.
The shock passing of Lyons, who ran hugely popular Essendon North ninja gym Fighting Lyons, has left a hole in Melbourne’s fitness world.
He was widely loved and respected and gave his time generously, particularly to the young kids who looked up to him following his appearance on series 2 of Australian Ninja Warrior.
Lyons told the Leader he had a “strong connection” with children and particularly enjoyed working with those on the autism spectrum — even running a dedicated program.
He said his proudest moment, along with his Ninja Warrior experience, was walking into the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony. Lyons competed in taekwondo and also represented Australia in Barcelona in 1992.
Lyons will be farewelled at a memorial service at the Moonee Valley Race Club’s Celebrity Room on Friday, September 20 at 10.30am.
Wife Dani said it would be a big funeral, with the International Olympic Committee donating an official Olympic flag and honouring her husband.
The service will be livestreamed for family and friends overseas and interstate.
>>READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PAUL LYONS BELOW
How long have you been a personal trainer?
I started personal training 19 years ago after the 2000 Sydney Olympics. I retired from professional taekwondo after 16 years on the world circuit including two Olympics, undefeated National Champion and competing in every world championship from the age of 15. After retiring, I opened my own gym Fighting Lyons in Essendon.
How did you get into personal training?
Prior to becoming a personal trainer and coach, I worked as a truck driver for Linfox involving a lot of repetitive lifting which I enjoyed as it kept me fit whilst training for the Olympics. During this time I was appointed as National Development Coach for the AIS in the sport of Taekwondo.
After opening my own gym I offered personal training services as well as coaching kids and adults in Boxing, Taekwondo, Acrobatics and more recently Ninja Warrior and Parkour.
What is your point of difference? Do you have a target market?
My point of difference is being able to use elements of my elite training and tailor it for each client and incorporate that into their PT sessions. My training background and ethos transfers across multiple disciplines, from martial arts to boxing to ninja warrior.
I enjoy getting to know people personally and helping them with their goals. I often find myself being the sounding board for their problems and appreciate their confidence in allowing me into their personal life.
I don’t have a specific market but I do truly enjoy working on helping kids with autism gain some fitness. I have a strong connection with children in general and I strongly encourage parents to train with their children and have started family training days to allow for this.
What services do you offer and where do you operate from?
I offer personal training and coaching for general fitness, boxing, Taekwondo, Acrobatics, Ninja Warrior and Parkour. I operate from my gym Fighting Lyons in Essendon.
Do you have a great transformation/member story you’d like to share?
I run a program for kids on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) and have been working with two teen brothers doing fitness training. Both boys are mostly non verbal and had very little coordination or muscle tone and were unable to follow even the simplest direction. I spent many months just gaining their trust and setting mini goals and they have since achieved so much! I’m incredibly proud of both boys and their parents are overjoyed at their progress!
I also have many mums in my morning fitness class who have totally transformed their bodies post baby and we offer free child minding to help reach those goals. I’m often holding a stop watch in one hand and a baby in the other!
What is your proudest moment?
Walking into the opening ceremony at the Sydney Olympics and having the opportunity to test my fitness skills on Australian Ninja Warrior season 2. I was also selected for season 1 of Australian Ninja Warrior but snapped my Achilles training for the show!
What is your catchphrase/favourite saying and why?
“Don’t be a sheep and follow the crowd … be a lion and brave enough to stand alone.”
This saying resonates deeply with me as I was badly bullied and beaten up at school for being small and had few friends. My father would say this to me and it helped me cope better at school and shaped my future path as an elite athlete. Teaching kids, I hear a lot of bullying stories and I tell these kids to be a lion and that they are brave for not copying everyone else (like sheep).
Any tips for someone wanting to improve their fitness?
Just start! We are all average to begin with, nobody is born fit. We all need to work at it and be consistent. Be kind to yourself and set mini goals. Don’t look at everyone else, keep your head down and focus on your own journey.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am very humbled to be nominated (especially as a 50 year old!) and feel lucky to be in a job where I get to help people better themselves.
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