‘Never give up’ is more than just a motto to Busselton’s Luther Frost-Barnes, it is a way of life, something ingrained in his attitude and a practice he preaches.
Frost-Barnes, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, has achieved a personal triumph opening his own mobile fitness business.
The achievement has been a life-long dream for Frost-Barnes, who spent the last five years completing a certificate III and IV in personal training through the Australian Institute of Fitness.
The qualification makes him the first person in WA who uses a wheelchair to graduate from the institute.
He told the Mail he hoped to to inspire all members of the community and wanted to specialise in assisting people with disabilities to reach their fitness goals.
“This is something I’ve always wanted – I want to train people like me” he said.
“I just really like helping people and getting them in shape.”
Sport has always been a love for the 24-year-old.
He is an 11-time Paralympic record holder, six-time gold medalist, qualified diver and self-confessed gym junkie.
The business was developed with the support of My Place employment broker Briana Johnson and Frost-Barnes’ mentor Sam Overton.
Ms Johnson helped Luther with the business plan, going over everything from goals, to logistics to his ‘never give up’ branding.
“Luther is really independent and fully capable of doing this – he has a great amount of knowledge,” she said.
“He wants to motivate others, it could be someone’s first transition in to fitness and he can say I can do it and this is how I do it.
“He shows that anything is possible for anyone.”
Ms Overton, who began working with Frost-Barnes eight months ago, has been trialling the regime.
“We’ve gone through together what a session would look like and it is really impressive,” she said.
“It has a flexible system and is a really good workout, which can be tailored and tweaked for all abilities.”
Australian Institute of Fitness WA lead online coach Fiona McKay, who worked with Frost-Barnes throughout the course, said she was full of admiration for Frost-Barnes.
“He showed such determination and tenacity to make this happen,” she said.
“He is such a positive person, who doesn’t let his difficulties get him down.
“He is an excellent role model and shows anyone can achieve their dreams.”
Frost-Barnes currently has two clients and will be working one day a week.
He hopes to start group fitness in the future.
To follow Luther’s venture search lutherfrostbarnesPT on Facebook and Instagram.
For personal training email lutherfrostbarnespt@gmail.com.
