However all that changed earlier this year thanks to a chance encounter at a restaurant in Sydney. During a solo dinner in June, Gibson was coincidentally sat next to Perth-based health coach Sam Jackson (no not that one unfortunately).
“We were just having dinner, he was seated at the table next to us and we just struck up a conversation because he was on his own,” said 45 year-old Jackson when talking to The West Australian.
“We all got talking and he started saying how he has this belly he can’t get rid of and I said ‘Give me eight weeks with you, I’ll get rid of it. I told him I’d teach him how to eat properly, and coach him through it.”
And while you’d expect the commitment from Gibson to be an off-handed, empty promise over a few evening vinos, he came good, reaching out to Jackson three days later to kickstart his weight loss journey.
“I wrote him a meal plan, and an exercise program,” said Jackson in her interview. “We talk easily 30-50 times a day on SMS regardless of what time zone he’s in and we FaceTime a couple of times a week.”
And Gibson seems pretty chuffed with the results, that have been primarily a result of healthier eating. “My clothes fit, my back doesn’t hurt anymore, I sleep better,” explained the actor in a YouTube video filmed with his weight-loss guru.
“Basically you’re eating more often, but better,” said Gibson of his new way of eating, which has seen him lose 14kg and 27cm from his waistline. “At least I fit in the mirror!”
Jackson spoke to New Idea to share Gibson’s new diet plan, with a typical day on a plate consisting of a protein and legume-rich mix.
The Mel Gibson Diet Plan
BREAKFAST
Within an hour of waking
Omelette with tomatoes and capsicum.
SNACK 1
Three hours later
Zen Fuze Protein Shake.
LUNCH
Three hours later
Chicken with asparagus, broccoli and green beans and sweet potato.
SNACK 2
Three hours later
Zen Fuze Protein Shake.
DINNER
Three hours later
Grilled salmon with small baked potato and garden salad.
