Interview with head coach for PUML New Zealand Olly Wood

Olly Wood is the head coach for PUML in New Zealand, who will help shape our fitness programs, challenges and nutrition guides.

Hi Olly, can you introduce yourself and give us a bit of your professional background?

Olly Wood, Head Coach — Founder of Spotter Fitness, Coach and fitness professional, a nutritionist with over 6 years educating the industry.

I have been working as a muscle movement specialist and personal trainer with City Fitness for 5 years down in Wellington. With a background a large range of high demand sports such as rowing, triathlons and now bodybuilding I have had exposure to many sports at a high level. I have always been on a quest to work with the best possible experts in the respective fields and have become a sort out specialist for trainers and clients alike.

Do you have a fitness regime and if so can you run us through it?

I typically train 5–6 times a week, with a very muscle specific split as I focus on training a muscle through its entire contractile range to optimize both muscle growth and mobility. However the specific style of training varies as I have structured training phases as like any elite athlete. I will go through phases that have different goals (such as strength, hypertrophy, etc.), so that I fully implement the variables of hypertrophy to get the best possible progression.

Have you ever struggled with motivation to exercise and if so how did you overcome it?

I am a big believer in having BIG goals and going all in so this motivates as I know I have become a new person in the process and will benefit me on a mental level just as much as physical. But at the same time, I always take time to switch priorities and make sure that other areas of my life are also running at a high level. So the idea is I will push hard towards a specific event or shoot, then I will switch gears and allow my business or another area take priority while I allow my body and mind to restart for the next progression phase. If I struggle with motivation, it is usually a sign that I am plateauing or feel another area of my life needs to take the focus.

What are some of the best exercises or sports someone can do to maintain fitness?

This is an area I really make a shift with my clients as I want people to get away from an external outcome or exercise and start to bring the focus inward. Learn how your own body works and learn how to have complete control of your movement so that when you try a new exercise or sport, you know your body better than anyone else and are able to adjust accord to your range, limb lengths, ability. There is huge power in this and it will ensure long-term success.

Where does your passion lie and makes you get up in the morning?

I have always been motivated by surrounding myself with high performers regardless of the field. I work so hard to know that I can learn and apply the best possible approach for myself and my clients. So this passion lies in knowing I have access to a very valuable skill set of individuals that really want to make a difference.

What elements of the PUML project led you to become involved?

I was involved long before PUML morphed into what it is today so there have been different elements along the way that have really kept me involved, but I am very happy with its direction and really enjoy that this reward system promotes people to have their own internal goals and really set themselves up to live a more rewarding life, while also reaping the rewards of being part of the community.

What skills will you use to bring to the project?

I want to focus on optimizing how individuals approach fitness so that it is both enjoyable and effective. It's more enjoyable when you get results!!

I also want to be lead part in our marketing campaigns to optimize the message and strategy to reach the individuals that are going to make this ride even better.

Why do you think PUML will succeed?

It has a very clear direction, with an unbeatable team of some of the best experts in the world and a very strongly shared objective.

Where do you see PUML in 5 years?

I see them dominating the Australian and NZ markets initially and changing the way gyms approach their reward systems for exercise while creating a seamless platform to level up their fitness goals.

Finally when you use the PUML app on launch, what rewards you like to see?

I would love to see a tier system where committed users unlock new levels of rewards including educational sections on how to best approach/achieve their goals.