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How This 25-Year-Old Went From Homeless to Millionaire In 4 Years

Fighting adversity made it all the sweeter - by MH Staff
  • 25 Jul 2017
How This 25-Year-Old Went From Homeless to Millionaire In 4 Years

We all dream of becoming millionaires. But imagine doing that in your 20s, having overcome stunning adversity...

In a two-part Instagram post, Tobi Pearce, boyfriend of fitness and social media star Kayla Itsines, revealed his dark past and how he battled against the odds to become a successful fitness entrepreneur. 

In the emotional post, also shared by his partner, Pearce says that his childhood was so troubled he spent a period living out of his car.

"I came from a small country town, a family of four and my family lived a humble "normal" life," wrote the 25-year-old businessman. "We had all the same problems any family does, but unfortunately also had many other uncommon struggles."

"I felt at one point in life so upset and overwhelmed by things happening at home that I decided to runaway. My sister has a severe case of bipolar, and from when I was 10 years old often meant she would have manic outbursts which resulted in personal family attacks, suicide attempts and more. By the time I was 16, I had my drivers licence and I wanted to leave so badly, so I did just that. One day I drove off to school, and never went home. I kept going to school but slept in my car, on the streets, in public toilets or at friends houses when possible. I was a 16 year old borrowing money and living off of the other $45 a week I earned."

 

tobi_pearce View Profile
5,500 likes - View Post on Instagram
🎥True fact; I was once homeless. I am not posting this for sympathy and this is not a sob story, I just thought it was time some of you got to know "me". I spend a lot of time doing public speaking and mentoring, but often shy away from publicising who I am and where I come from because I am nervous or embarrassed. I did not have a life filled with a big family or money. I came from a small country town, a family of four and my family lived a humble "normal" life. We had all the same problems any family does, but unfortunately also had many other uncommon struggles. I felt at one point in life so upset and overwhelmed by things happening at home that I decided to runaway. My sister has a severe case of bipolar, and from when I was 10 years old often meant she would have manic outbursts which resulted in personal family attacks, suicide attempts and more. By the time I was 16, I had my drivers licence and I wanted to leave so badly, so I did just that. One day I drove off to school, and never went home. I kept going to school but slept in my car, on the streets, in public toilets or at friends houses when possible. I was a 16 year old borrowing money and living off of the other $45 a week I earned. Not many people at school knew and I often (not understood by me at the time) acted out as a result of my internal pain. I was in and out of families including my own for a short period and this was a very difficult time. We all have or had demons, and I certainly have mine, but I am no longer hiding. If you want to hear more about how I was homeless, got caught up with the law, follow me and wait for my next post. I've decided it's time to speak up. P.S - Because of my life experiences I participated in the Vinnie's CEO sleep out this year and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I am proud to say I was the 2nd highest fundraiser in South Australia. Swipe right to see a few photos from the night.

Pearce credits his move into personal training for turning his life around.

"Once starting Personal Training I had a chance to seek both financial and LIFE independence. If successful, id be able to make others healthy & feel good about themselves, get out of my shed and be "free". During Uni I used PT as an outlet & tried hard to make ends meet. In under 4 months I was busy with 2 start ups & a female boot camp.

"Jumping forward a few years, I made enough money to rent. Finally after years of being isolated and homeless, without certainty, I had MY OWN HOME."

Joining Itsines in 2014, the couple formed The Bikini Body Training Company, a subscription service that manages your workout and nutritional plans. The company quickly became a global success, catapulting the pair into stardom. 

In 2016, Pearce and Itsines were named on the BRW Young Rich List, with a combined worth of $46 million.

Pearce's takehome message: "I'm not perfect, but I'm doing all I can to become the best I can, positively contribute to the world & others. I'm not done..more soon."

tobi_pearce View Profile
3,877 likes - View Post on Instagram
Part 2: Living in a tin shed at 19 I often looked at my life thinking "I'm not lucky enough to have certain things, I can barely afford food" looking at a toy dream car I got when I was 7. I often picked it up, got motivated and thought "one day I'm gonna get one". The goal wasn't much about the car, but more so what it represented; financial sustainability & overcoming a life long struggle for independence. "Freedom" Once starting Personal Training I had a chance to seek both financial and LIFE independence. If successful, id be able to make others healthy & feel good about themselves, get out of my shed and be "free". During Uni I used PT as an outlet & tried hard to make ends meet. In under 4 months I was busy with 2 start ups & a female boot camp. Jumping forward a few years, I made enough money to rent. Finally after years of being isolated and homeless, without certainty, I had MY OWN HOME. Early 2014 as the business and my teams success grew, I could now afford my dream car! Instead, I chose to invest & donate money to charity for those less fortunate, as I truly understand what this is like. This learned from my Father, a far wiser man than I. Early 2015, my birthday came around again. I decided to buy my dream car and like a typical boy, initially I drove it in an unsafe manner. Im in a good position to set an example for young people, I should've taken this responsibility serious. Reality check, I was pulled over one night a few years ago for speeding & the Police took this to the full extent. For my naive 23 yr old behaviour, I got fined & lost my licence for 1 year. I got what I deserved, I know I shouldn't have done this & deeply regret this. The past 2 yrs I've grown up & learnt some big lessons. These make me a better person for the future & let me commit larger, positive things to society. I'm Tobi, 25, a young & learning CEO of a global company & investments group. Now it's 2017 & I've employed almost 100 amazing people & am thankful to you for taking time out of your day to read a part of my story. I'm not perfect, but I'm doing all I can to become the best I can, positively contribute to the world & others. I'm not done..more soon

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