Steve ‘Commando’ Willis: Celebrity PT’s ex-client wins appeal against AVO

Celebrity personal trainer Steve ‘Commando’ Willis has had a major blow in court after taking out an AVO against a client.

A former client of The Biggest Loser trainer Steve ‘Commando’ Willis has successfully appealed against an AVO taken out against her for allegedly stalking him.

Jun ‘Margaret’ Yue challenged the two-year order, made in October, in the District Court and on Tuesday it was set aside by Judge James Bennett.

She watched via video link as Judge Bennett ruled although it was clear Ms Yue had affection for Mr Willis, and felt closer to him than was reciprocated, her actions did not amount to stalking.

Steve ‘Commando’ Willis with former client Jun ‘Margaret’ Yue.

Mr Willis, 45, did not tune in to observe the proceedings.

Ms Yue called her trainer “Shifu” – meaning master – in texts, prepared Christmas presents for his family and once arrived spontaneously at Sydney Airport to offer Mr Willis a lift home.

But Judge Bennett said those actions need to be viewed in the context of a friendship that would naturally form over the course of 120 personal training sessions.

“There’s no evidence that she was anything other than respectful to him and his family other that what Mr Willis said in his statement,” he told the Downing Centre District Court.

The judge found the celebrity trainer made steps to distance himself from Ms Yue after events that concerned him, but said there was no evidence he told her she had crossed personal boundaries.

Judge Bennett highlighted how Mr Willis continued to train her for several months after the first alleged incident in November 2019.

He said there were no messages in evidence showing any issues between the parties until one demanding money in May 2020 when Ms Yue fell behind in her payments.

“There was no adequate communication to her that might have reset the boundaries that might have blurred,” he said.

“I’m not satisfied that the conduct attributed to (Ms Yue) is sufficient for the making of the order.”

Jun Yue (centre) has always denied wrongdoing. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said Mr Willis was “engaged in a commercial enterprise” built on fostering a connection with clients such as Ms Yue through personal encouragement and social media.

Judge Bennett said it was important that Ms Yue had not contacted her former trainer since he reported her to police in June 2020.

He was also troubled by Mr Willis’ decision not to attend court ordered mediation last year, which could have prevented the matter proceeding to hearing.

Ms Yue paid out about $19,000 in training fees over 14 months between March 2019 and May 2020 when Mr Willis said he would no longer train her until she settled her debt.

The court heard she paid $150 cash per session but owed Mr Willis $1350 which he asked her to transfer to him.

Steve ‘Commando’ Willis made his name as a trainer on The Biggest Loser. Picture: Richard Dobson

The incidents he reported to police, which he said made him feel fearful, occurred between November 2019 and May 2020.

During the appeal hearing on Friday, Ms Yue’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri argued she had a normal client-trainer relationship with the fitness guru who she respected greatly.

Mr Tabchouri went as far to accuse Mr Willis of lying about fearing the Rosebery woman, suggesting he may have allowed the ugly case to play out in court as a “media grab”.

“It’s never been suggested by him that she in any way made an intimate advance … and that’s really important,” he said.

Steve Willis with police outside his home in 2020. Picture: David Swift

Last year, father-of-four Mr Willis told Parramatta Local Court Ms Yue’s behaviour left him “rattled” and said she had “crossed the boundaries” of their professional relationship.

“You start to fear for your safety when you’ve expressed no many times and it’s just not accepted,” he said.

The AVO was granted on October 30, 2020 and prevented Ms Yue from contacting or going within 200m of Mr Willis for two years.

Judge Bennett has now set that order aside.