‘Exercise has been my therapy since I was six’: Joe Wicks on how he became the nation’s PE teacher

Health and fitness expert Joe Wicks has said it was growing up in a “challenging home” which first sparked his passion for exercise.

Best known as the “nation’s PE teacher” after hosting daily YouTube workouts during the pandemic, raising more than £1million for charity and earning an MBE, Wicks has been building an online fitness following since 2014 and now has more than 4.7 million followers on Instagram alone.

However, speaking to the Irish News, the Epsom-born fitness coach said physical activity has served as a form of therapy since he was six years old.

“As a young child I lived in quite a challenging home,” he said.

“My parents both had mental health issues. My dad was a heroin addict and my mum suffered from anxiety, eating disorders and extreme OCD so I had these two very difficult people to live with.

“It was quite chaotic but I realised when I exercised, played sport, ran or did any kind of movement I could soothe and calm myself and take away some of that stress.

“And that’s really where my love for physical exercise and movement comes from. It’s been my therapy really since I was about six or seven years old.”

In addition to his fitness programmes, Wicks has also authored numerous best-selling cookbooks, although he said his relationship with food was also affected by his upbringing.

“In terms of the food side of it, I was exposed to a very unhealthy diet. We were on benefits and any money that came through the house was really funding my dad’s addiction.

“So there wasn’t lots of fruit, veg or homemade meals – it was things like crispy pancakes, potato waffles, chicken nuggets, frozen chicken pies, and lots of sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

“I had a very unhealthy diet and even now I sometimes struggle to eat junk food in moderation.”

A turning point came at the age of 13 when he was invited to visit St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

“It was an outreach between the school and the university.

“Lots of the children who went along were on the border of going down the wrong path or came from a difficult home life.

“I knew they were trying to inspire me and get me thinking more positively – that I could actually go to university one day.

“So I did a tour and spent a day there.

Read more: ‘It was an insane hormone disaster’: Newry fitness influencer on how health struggles inspired a thriving wellness platform

“When I got home, I said to my mum that I was going to do a degree in sports science and become a PE teacher.

“And I did actually end up going to that university.”

Although Wicks always had ambitions of becoming a PE teacher, he said he never expected the scale his career would reach.

“I’ve had an amazing career, but it’s been very unintentional.

“I’m not someone who had a big plan or strategy – everything has happened quite organically.

“It’s always been a natural progression and I couldn’t have imagined it going the way it has.

“I’m very grateful for all of it and I don’t ever take it for granted.”

One of his most recent and unexpected highlights has been training children’s TV character Daddy Pig ahead of this year’s London Marathon.

“The PR for Hasbro, who own Peppa Pig, reached out and I actually really love Peppa Pig – we’ve always watched it with the kids.

“They said, ‘we’ve got this campaign with Daddy Pig’s son George, who’s now moderately deaf, so Daddy Pig is running the marathon for his son and for the National Deaf Children’s Society’.

“So I said I’d do it but I really wanted to run on the day with him. So they got me a spot and I’m running with him.

“And it’s obviously Daddy Pig in full character and I’m there coaching and motivating him. It’s been really fun and the kids have obviously seen the videos and think it’s hilarious.”

Read more: Joe Wicks: ‘Don’t convince yourself you haven’t got time to cook and that you can’t, because you can’

Wicks added that he is looking forward to bringing that same energy to Belfast where he will headline the inaugural Wellfest on September 12 and 13.

“There are talks, a nutrition and wellness area and discussions around mental health, as well as workouts from trainers across the board.

“It’s going to be really good fun.”

He will be joined by his wife, Rosie, for the session.

“Because I’ve done the workout so many times, they wanted something a little bit different.

“And it wasn’t like Rosie jumped at it – she’s quite shy. But I said it would be fun and we could make a weekend of it.

“We’re going to go on stage, do a 30-minute workout and it’s going to be great.

“It’s basically a high-energy session where we’ll be chatting and laughing and hopefully people will get involved and feel energised at the end.”

It will be the first time the couple have worked out together on stage.

“I don’t know what to expect,” he laughed.

“We’ve never worked out on a stage together before. I’ve done my workouts and videos and the kids have joined in but they don’t really talk.

“So having Rosie there, mic’d up, we can have a bit of banter and I think it will be more engaging than just me on my own.

“I want it to feel relaxed. People aren’t there to be judged – they’re there to enjoy it. So I think it’s going to be good.”

He said a key part of Wellfest’s appeal is its accessibility, with an emphasis on inclusivity rather than elite fitness.

“The good thing about Wellfest is that you’ll have people of all ages and all different body types.

“You can have kids in the crowd and grandparents as well.

Read more: Joe Wicks to run London marathon alongside Daddy Pig for deaf charity

“It’s essentially a PE with Joe-style workout with music and if you miss something or need to stop, that’s fine.

“You’re not there to compete, just to take part and enjoy it.”

First established in 2015 in Herbert Park in Dublin, the event is designed to appeal to all levels, particularly those at the beginning of their fitness journey.

“Wellfest is an experience – you’re going there to learn something new and you’ll come away feeling energised and positive,” Wicks added.

“It might be a talk on nutrition, stress or mental health or a workout where you realise you can do something you didn’t think you could.

“It’s about taking part, enjoying it and then maybe continuing some of those habits at home.”

Tickets for WellFest NI, which will take place at Belfast’s Ormeau Park on September 12-13, are on sale now via WellFestNI.com.