From 34 stone to National Champion
The reason my coaching works is simple: I’ve lived it. This is the story behind Dazzag Fitness.
It started at 34 stone.
I’m Darren, a hybrid strength and conditioning coach based in Nottingham. I help real people get stronger, fitter and healthier through simple, structured and supportive coaching — especially those who want to lose weight, rebuild their confidence and take back control of their health.
I began my journey with the support of a personal trainer, learning the fundamentals and building the confidence to take control of my own health. My journey into fitness didn’t start from a place of strength. It started at 34 stone (217kg), dealing with swollen legs, recurring infections, gout attacks and stage-2 hypertension. Everyday life felt harder than it should. I knew something had to change — but I didn’t know where to begin.
Over time, through consistency, education and a complete shift in how I approached training, I reversed every one of those issues. The weight came down. The swelling stopped. The infections stopped. The gout disappeared. My blood pressure normalised. In 2025, I was recognised nationally for that transformation, winning the National Fitness Awards — Member Achievement.
How I got here
The starting point
34 stone (217kg), with swollen legs, recurring infections, gout attacks and stage-2 hypertension. Everyday life felt harder than it should.
The shift
Consistency, education and a complete change in how I approached training. No fads, no extremes — just turning up and learning, day after day.
The turnaround
The weight came down. The swelling stopped. The infections stopped. The gout disappeared. My blood pressure normalised.
National recognition
In 2025 I won the National Fitness Awards — Member Achievement category — for that transformation.
Still going
I’m still on my own journey too, improving my strength, fitness and health just like the people I coach. That lived experience shapes everything I do.
Empathy, structure, lived experience
Because of my own transformation, I specialise in helping adults lose weight safely and sustainably — without fad diets, extreme methods or unrealistic expectations. I understand the emotional and practical challenges behind weight loss because I’ve lived them.
I also coach clients aged 12 to 70 in strength, conditioning and confidence — from complete beginners to older adults staying strong and independent, to youth athletes developing movement skills, to people returning to exercise after being medically cleared.
My coaching style is straightforward: move well, get stronger, build confidence, stay consistent. No fads. No extremes. No judgement. Just honest coaching that fits real life.
- L3 Personal Trainer Practitioner
- L4 Nutrition for Weight Management & Sports Performance
- L3 Online Personal Trainer
- GLP-1 Exercise Specialist (CPD)
Ready to start your own story?
No memberships, no crowds, no judgement — just honest coaching that fits real life. Send an enquiry and I’ll be in touch.