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."
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."
