The Travelling Wellness Show

When you think of a personal trainer / gym trainer, what images does this conjure?   "I started out sweeping floors, selling memberships, repairing gym equipment and then I was offered the chance to teach classes. This is how it was when I started; you began at the bottom and worked your way up with on the job training" -Shannan Ponton Shannan's career began well over two decades ago; Before being a trainer was cool, and before entry to it's market place was simply a matter of dollars and a few quick weeks of entry-level education. Shannan Ponton epitomises what it means to be a true 'Fitness Professional', and is a subtle reminder of what the industry was, versus what it has become. And this is no stab at the thousands of great trainers who motivate and direct their clients daily, more an indicator of what the industry has evolved into, and the areas in which it has failed in an effort to saturate the floors of a gym near you. With 10 seasons of the highly successful Channel 10 hit TV series "The Biggest L

Have you ever dreamed of just packing up and leaving the life you currently lead? Well so did I, and so I did.... For 12 months now, I have travelled Australia to combine with my many and varied health colleagues, to create a series of stories that would both inspire and empower change within my audience. After a 16 year full-time clinical career, my wife Michelle & I decided that a new phase to our journey would begin, as we literally shut up shop & loaded our three young children into a caravan for the journey of a lifetime around Australia. And where would we go?? Wherever the best stories would be told. And so The Travelling Wellness Show began.     I've been in the Health, Fitness & Wellness game for a very long time now, and contributed to the industries in a variety of ways, everything from supplement manufacture & wholesale, right through to the clinical and retail arms. People are my life, and health is my vehicle to create change.   Somewhere along the line though, full-time clinic

  There is so much noise in the fitness industry nowadays, with so many available movement patterns that the lay person simply gets caught up amongst the noise when it comes to making a decision about what's best for them. Nothing can be hardcore enough for the consumer either, as movements like CrossFit literally 'forge elite fitness' for average mums and dads, making elite level training protocols readily available to anyone willing to participate. Then we have bodybuilding / physique training which has stood the test of time for sure, and continues to inspire its active participants, followed by the myriad of breakout franchises like F45 which simply provides a 'no thought needed' environment for people who enjoy going through the motions but don't aspire to the likes of CrossFit. In so many ways, we are spoilt with choice as consumers, but with choice comes disappointment and with disappointment comes complacency. Until now, if hardcore training programs were too all-encompassing for an individual, or t

I first met Dave Tabain in 2014 and must admit, I didn't know what to make of him. At first glance I saw a tall, suave, fast-talker who I learned had a knack of popping up everywhere! Feeling more like a groupie, I was honestly enthralled and instantly attracted to this character that I could't quite put into words. Growing up in a very small country town, Dave basically was void of filters, and simply wore his heart on his sleeve. I loved this; someone who just said shit as it was, with zero fuss or bullshit. He simply wanted to positively influence people's lives.   Just ask anyone around you, and the chances are that they know who Dave Tabain is, or have heard his name around the traps. And his currency I hear you ask?? Authenticity, life experience, passion & an early love of the Kettlebell. Simple. And in reality that is more than enough. More than was necessary, for each of those features he has in spades. Authentic to a fault, embarrassingly so. Life experience that he doesn't deny, starting wi

  As the age of connectivity continues to throw reality in our faces, the world seems to be going mad for everything cruelty free. We've all seen the images of animal slaughter & the often inhumane processing standards that serve food up onto our daily plate. And with awareness comes responsibility, and with responsibility we must question sustainability for the good of the planet. For Episode 9, we chew the fat with two guys who are industry leaders in the world of plant based living, and observe the cause and effect of their individual decisions. Sel from BSKT and COCOWHIP has created a business model around his lifestyle and it's paying handsomely, as consumers reap the rewards of wholesome, tasty and sustainable food products. Jason Clarke from Brisbane based performance centre Perform 360 however, is living proof that a move to plant based living is possible for an athlete. A fact that many condemn as unachievable. So it's time to open your mind to what most consider incomprehensible, while we le

We live in hard times, this is undeniable. Now, more than every before, people are struggling in ways that aren't always easy to explain, nor accept. As we continue to blur the lines of acceptable living, the daily pressures to be everything to everyone have effectively altered the ways in which our bodies respond to stress. New diseases & the dramatic rise of others are a case in point that shit needs to change. But where does change begin & what would that feel like? Mid 2015, professional athlete Matt Murphy found himself with big questions to ask as his ability to focus and perform took a massive dive. It's funny how life sometimes throws such large curve balls that it literally forces our hand. Forces the next move, and ultimately sets us up for the next phase. Adrenal dysfunction is a very real and diagnosable state of ill-health which feels much worse than it sounds. This all-encompassing state of anguish is literally a life changer that many people never fully recover from. This is the first

  11 years ago Anthony Mundine closed the door on a rivalry that had been brewing for a very long time. And for 11 years, Danny green has dreamed of redemption, a dream that came into form on Friday night when he beat Mundine in a unanimous points decision. As boxing often goes though, the win didn't come without its share of controversy, as Mundine was on the receiving end of a suspect score card where a single judge scored the contest a 98/90 in Green's favour.   On this episode, PSE supplements owner Shannon Brenton talks directly to the man himself to get his thoughts, feelings & considerations of the event that was. Choc happily answers fan questions and the almighty one on everyone's lips surrounding his probable retirement. He also gives his take on 'that punch'! Nutrition, supplementation, fight prep, religion, business and legacy are all covered here, so take a listen and make your own mind up about the man you've always loved to hate.

    If you, or someone you know have ever purchased a protein supplement or pre-workout, chances are that you have put a dollar or two in the till of a Mass Nutrition store.     In 2014, these were the kind of headlines that graced the business review pages. Within only 18 months however, journalists began reporting on what appeared to be an entirely different person completely     Luke "Mass" McNally appeared to have it all, before his personal life took major turns & his empire subsequently  began tumbling around him. Now, Luke is broke & has stood down as the CEO of his own company, due to the damage that his life choices placed upon his business and business partners. With time though comes clarity, and there isn't a whole bunch that will keep Luke down. From the comfort of his lounge in Melbourne, and with the support of his partner Evelyn, we get the chance to hear Luke's side of this whirlwind story. From champion bodybuilder to acclaimed business owner, this is the story of a bloke who

As anyone touched by cancer will tell you, the "C" word normally always conjures up adjectives which best describe the end... A Cancer diagnosis will pull on the mortal coil of not just the victim, but everyone around them, perhaps more significantly than any other disease will. The fight for life forces a process of critical evaluation unlike any other, as the multifactorial challenges of cancer treatment insist that no rock is left unturned. In Episode 4, PSE supplements owner Shannon Brenton has a very real talk with a colleague who not only treats cancer in others, but has also felt its full wrath.    "I still had heaps of energy, and really none of the symptoms which were linked to cancer. My bloods were clear and I had no cancer markers" - Katrina Ellis   Katrina Ellis's story is nothing short of inspirational. After being diagnosed with a rare & generally fatal form of cancer, Katrina started the very real process of fighting for her own life. This is a tale of shock and disbelief, and the tenaci

  For Episode 3, PSE supplements boss Shannon Brenton heads over to the Medical Sanctuary to speak with holistic GP & Obstetric Surgeon, Dr Elen ApThomas.  This podcast begins with an overview of the role of the General Practitioner in modern times, before launching into the prime discussion of the Gut/Brain axis; The very complexed neuro-hormonal communication system, which is ultimately responsible for keeping your body in a balanced state. Shannon & Elen drill down on how this bio-directional system affects you via its integrated web of neuroendocrine, immunological, microbial and primary digestive and excretory actions. How stress affects you, the importance of a healthy liver, the role of the gut microbiome, Leakey Gut Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and much much more are all discussed right here.     Dr Elen is a very authentic and dear friend, not afraid to call a spade a spade. Her dedication to the truth is what attracts me to her, and her willingness to think outside the squar

    "I wasn't fast, I couldn't juggle & I had no spatial awareness" -Keegan Smith   From the paddocks of Mullumbimby we bring you the world according to Keegan Smith; a well versed, cultured and enthusiastic free thinker. As any good leader should, Keegan is continually challenging the status quo in an effort to find truth & apply it to the lives of his audience; Movement, Nutrition, Fasting, Philosophy, Mindset, & the premises of living better are all variables that describe Keegan's style & approach to life.      “ People talk about steroids; Steroids are a non issue when compared with pharmaceutical drugs in sport. There are guys in every club who should be in drug rehab" -Keegan Smith   After a few years as the Head of Strength with the prized NRL team the Sydney Roosters, Keegan chose to leave the big smoke for the Byron Bay hinterlands where he birthed the Real Movement Project; a movement & lifestyle legacy which indirectly points a massive finger at the fitness industry which c

    “I never had to ask Danny for more; the best athletes are always the ones that I ask to do less” -Angelo Hyder   Behind every great champion stands the coaches who direct & empower them; ultimately making success a possibility. As the saga for Australian boxing supremacy continues, Shannon hangs out with renowned boxing coach & Danny Green’s corner man, Angelo Hyder. In a world where good & great are often differentiated by the 1%er’s, Shannon & Angelo explore the key contributing factors which separate the greatest athletes from the rest of the pack.     From the comfort of the caravan, we tune in on the observations of a man who has worked with the best of the best, not only in this country, but abroad as well. Better still, Angelo addresses the white elephant in the room; What does the green camp really think of Anthony ‘the man’ Mundine, and does he stand a chance against Danny Green in their much anticipated rematch set for February 2017, in Adelaide South Australia. All fight h