‘It doesn’t discriminate’: How Former Biggest Loser trainer faced his biggest fear

Before personal trainer Shannan Ponton’s wife found a suspicious-looking mole on his leg in 2010, the self-described “idiot Aussie macho man” didn’t think much of it.

The mole turned out to be an early-stage melanoma and, thanks to his wife’s pragmatism, was quickly cut out. The event was a wake-up call for the former Biggest Loser trainer, who is now an ambassador for Cure Cancer.

“Cancer is the thing that scares me the most in the world. It’s my biggest fear. I can look after my weight, my diet, my cholesterol, my liver, but cancer does not care. It doesn’t discriminate,” Ponton said.

Shannan Ponton with his son, Bronx, in Sydney. Credit: Janie Barrett

Two years ago, Ponton had another cancer scare when his then two-year-old son Bronx was found to have a tumour in his leg. Thankfully, it was benign. While Bronx is now a happy, healthy four-year-old, the experience “put the fear of God” into the whole family and made Ponton even more passionate about finding a cure.

“Child and tumour are two words no parent wants to hear. We may have left with a happy ending, but there are thousands of parents all over the country hearing those words who aren’t as fortunate,” he said.

On August 14, Ponton will be joining tens of thousands of other Australians in running the City2Surf to support Cure Cancer after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus. The mostly uphill 14-kilometre race is the largest fun run in the world, boasting an average of 80,000 participants, and has raised more than $48 million for charities.

Shannan Ponton is training for the City2Surf. Credit: Janie Barrett

Ponton has been a long supporter of the event, first participating as a 17-year-old, 30 years ago.

“I’ve run it competitively, I’ve run it with my kids in a pram, I’ve done the majority of the years in some shape or form and have loved seeing it evolve into one of the biggest events in the world,” Ponton said.

He says the City2Surf brings the city together through nourishing one’s body, soul and heart.

“What better way to change lives than by participating in a physically demanding, mentally challenging event with the rest of Sydney. It’s an electric atmosphere full of spirit and I love that if there’s a physical barrier stopping you run you can still support through donations,” he said.

Ponton said Cure Cancer is special because it invests the bulk of funding into early cancer research full of cutting-edge scientists.

“Most cancer breakthroughs aren’t born through government funding but through the support of charities such as Cure Cancer who’ve backed a young scientist,” he said.

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