ALLEN Willis was in a very dark place just five years ago.
A workplace accident left him not only crippling hip and back pain, but severe depression.
“I needed a walking stick to walk as my hip kept collapsing, and with crippling back pain, it left me feeling very depressed, and I had thoughts of ending it all,” he said.
“When you see your wife having to look after the kids by herself and the stress that causes.
“Knowing I didn’t want to traumatise my kids but being emotionally unstable due to the pain.
“I didn’t want to cause them any distress, but my pain was causing them pain.”
But through a room of darkness came a ray of light that turned around his life.
“I decided I needed to help myself, and so I completed a Certificate 3 and 4 in fitness at TAFE in Coffs Harbour and started learning how to help rebuild my body and in the process became a personal trainer,” he said.
“That injury forced me to start from scratch and rebuild my mind and body.
“You are either a victim of circumstances or you can learn to thrive off them, and even if you have chronic pain like myself, you can achieve more than you currently believe possible.
“Studying fitness, completing the course, learning how to train, definitely saved my life.”
Allen’s new-found enthusiasm for life led him to enter Strongman competitions, eventuating in the best win of his career so far over the June long weekend.
The 40-year-old Macksville resident won the Open Men’s event at the Broke’s Strongest competition, held in Broke in the Hunter region.
He competed in five events; the lever log deadlift, log bench press, Hercules hold, Log Carry, and a truck pull.
Allen described how he prepared for such a gruelling event.
“Weight training can make you strong, so I had a good foundation of strength,” he said.
“I invested in Strongman coaching and trained for the events.
“You simulate the events you will be doing with what you have available.
“I trained a lot at my home gym and MMAFC where I work as a personal trainer.”
Allen explained what he loved most about competing in Strongman competitions.
“The community is cool and the way they get behind you and support you is awesome,” he said.
“It’s a great way to challenge yourself and get strong at the same time.”
Having triumphed in two novice events and in his very first Open’s event, the Strongman is looking forward to competing for years to come.
“I’m going to continue training and compete for at least the next 10 years,” he said.
“I’m taking a break from competing for six months due to my back pain, and I will work hard to come back leaner, faster and stronger early 2026.
“I believe winning this competition was a qualifier for World Strength Games 2026 which may be on the cards.”
The Strongman champion had a clear mantra that he lives by.
“Motion is lotion, keeping as strong and active as possible for as long as possible,” he said.
“If I can do it after my injury, anyone can.”
By Aiden BURGESS
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