A north east man is transforming lives – after saving his own.

Grieving for his mum, Paul Woodhouse’s battle with drink almost claimed his life.

“I was very unwell for a long time and realised that if I didn’t get sober, I was on the path towards dying,” he admits.

Now five years sober, super-fit Paul – a health and performance coach – is using his unique skillset, alongside his lived experience, to help others.

A trained therapist, the 40-year-old also has qualifications in personal training – a combination completely unique in the North East.

By blending both skillsets, Paul’s trademarked brand – PLW Fitness – works on changing client behaviours, which in turn, improves health and wellbeing.

From his studio in Darlington’s West Park, he privately and semi-privately coaches professionals – be it business owners or directors

“PLW Fitness has three pillars – build, burn and restore – and it recognises that exercise alone isn’t enough; You need to allow yourself enough time to recover, improve your resilience but more than anything, change your behaviour.,” said Paul.

“The system helps build strength, resilience and confidence while developing lasting behaviours, and I take pride in knowing almost everything about my clients’ lives and the barriers they face.

“The sessions are challenging because they are results-focused and nobody is allowed to blend into the background. I want people to get results.”

And those results are life-changing.

One client, Nikki Todd, is Managing Director of Fortis Vision. Feeling burnt out and unmotivated he wanted to lose weight – yet he was swamped at work, and struggled to prioritise his own health alongside the demands of running a successful company.

However, with Paul’s expert guidance, he’s shed almost five stone of body fat, with pictures showing the incredible transformation – while boosting his strength and confidence.

“Our Group turnover is in excess of £50 million in 2025 and 2026 – I don’t think I’d have carried on as MD without the transformation both physically and mentally,” admitted Nikki.

Having qualified as a therapist in 2015, Paul said his unique background gives him a firm understanding of the barriers that can prevent lasting change.

And for Paul, that change started with himself.

“At my lowest point when I was drinking, I was sleeping rough and I even suffered really serious frostbite” he recalled.

“I didn’t deal with grief well and I became a daily drinker. Eventually I ended up in rehab and that’s where I realised the devastation alcohol can cause to lives – both your own and those around you.

“When I left rehab, I just worked extremely hard – I paid off debt, exercised and lost over 20kg myself – the change was immense and I’ve rebuilt my life in the process.”

Years later, he’s now rebuilding others.

His approach often attracts clients who want more than a traditional gym environment, with Paul saying many people feel intimidated or unsure where to start.

In Nikki’s case, Paul has also done more than just help him lose weight – he’s also helped the business leader develop sustainable habits that fit around his professional life, rather than taking him away from it.

“I think I’m probably one of the only people combining therapy and personal training in this way,” he said.

“The two work so well together. A lot of people who want health and fitness coaching feel uncomfortable in a gym and don’t know what to do, while many obstacles’ people face in their physical health stem from the mind.

“The message outside my door is take the body and the mind will follow.”

And he said his own experiences allow him to connect with clients facing their own struggles, whether they involve major trauma or merely the everyday pressures of modern life.

“The message I want to get across is simple; change your behaviour, change your life,” he added.

“I understand behaviour change and how it can literally transform someone’s life, because I’m a living embodiment of what I do now.”