‘I’m a millionaire but I haven’t got time to date’: Joe Wicks talks break-ups, body image and cracking America
The Body Coach also sets the record straight about those Ellie Goulding rumours...
WITH the looks of Poldark, the charm of Jamie Oliver and the social-media savvy of a Kardashian, Joe Wicks has redefined the term “internet sensation”.
In just two years, he’s gone from a Surrey fitness trainer struggling to pay his rent to a best-selling author.
Not only that, he’s built up a business that turns over a staggering £1million a month.
And, yes, he admits very sheepishly that those seven-figure sums have meant he’s become very wealthy.
Not bad, considering it all began after he started posting 15-second videos on Instagram of himself making healthy meals back in 2014.
That led to him setting up eating plans and his company The Body Coach, which now has over 100,000 subscribers and celebrity fans including Charlotte Crosby and Ella Eyre.
So it’s no wonder that Joe, 30, has a big smile on his face when he arrives for his first Fabulous shoot.
He’s infectiously upbeat, passionate about his work and talks at a Usain-Bolt-style pace.
With all that food fuel, Joe really is the walking, talking version of “you are what you eat”.
This healthy ethos has also provided him with a seriously toned torso and pecs so hard they could double as a nutcracker.
He’s only too happy to whip off his top and doesn’t bat an eyelid when the team rub oil on his arms, adjust his trousers and ruffle his hair.
But even that body has cheat days – he dives in for full-fat Coke and a jam-filled cupcake.
There’s one thing missing off the menu, though. Joe is single after splitting from Caroline, his Swedish girlfriend of 11 years, two months ago.
He says his new-found fame and hectic schedule created cracks in the relationship.
“We just grew apart,” he admits.
“But we’re still really good friends. There was no nastiness.”
So what’s next for the hottest man in the health industry?
Here, he talks break-ups, body image and cracking America.
So, Joe, were you nervous about our shoot?
Yep! I cut out booze and sugar, and trained every day in the run-up to today. I can’t turn up fat, can I?
You look good to us! Is your diet always pretty strict?
My typical breakfast is scrambled eggs, then a chicken burger for lunch and Thai green curry for dinner. Even if I want something bad, I make it myself so it’s healthier. Every meal I make, I post it on my Instagram account, so I have a responsibility to make healthy meals.
When was the last time you ate a McDonald’s?
About three years ago, when I was on holiday in Ibiza. I can’t eat fast food any more, as my body isn’t used to it. Today is my unhealthiest day in six months. I’ve had two cakes, two cans of Coke and now I feel lethargic.
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Your standard diet sounds very sensible. Do you ever drink alcohol?
I go out probably twice a month to a club and get really drunk. I love cocktails or a gin and tonic, but I only need three to get drunk – I’m a cheap date! I had a phase a few years ago where I went out clubbing in east London most weekends, but I burnt out after three months. I felt really unhealthy, so that lifestyle isn’t for me.
What’s your stance when it comes to celeb diets?
There are so many people struggling and spending too much money on fad diets. A lot of people endorse that stuff and it’s nonsense. Low-calorie dieting only works short-term, because you’ll binge and regain the weight eventually, instead of eating well overall.
Why do you think nutrition and fitness has become such a phenomenon?
There’s been a culture shift – it’s cool to go to the gym now. The Hemsley sisters and Deliciously Ella have helped to get people thinking about nutrition. My book sales have eclipsed all of theirs, though!
Are celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West, who post naked selfies, promoting a positive body image?
The Kardashian girls are not going to look as immaculate in real life as they do on Instagram, so it’s unrealistic for girls to think that. Social media should be used for promoting positive body images.
Let’s talk women… Be honest, do you get chatted up more now you’re famous?
Nah. They say stuff on social media all the time, but never to my face. I get a lot of marriage proposals.
Are you happy being single?
I am. I’ve got six books to write over the next couple of years and I’m filming a Channel 4 show. It’s a new chapter.
Did travelling the world and being so busy put a strain on your relationship with Caroline?
Yeah, of course it did. We broke up two months ago, just before I went to America for work.
Would you use a dating app?
I don’t think so. I like to get to know people through friends, rather than meet a complete random. I’m a relationship guy and the world of dating scares me a bit.
What about the rumours of a romance between you and Ellie Goulding?
Her manager signed up to my plan and we became friends through him. I’ve only met her about five times. She’s already super-fit, so she doesn’t need my help.
Would a prospective girlfriend have to be into fitness?
It would be nice if she enjoyed that stuff, as it’s such a big part of my life, but it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
What’s been your biggest splurge?
I bought my mum [Raquela, a social worker] a house. I also took eight of my best mates to Las Vegas last September and we’re going to Dubai this summer.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Going on Good Morning America was a big deal because it’s a huge TV show in the States. It overwhelms me to think that I posted a video two years ago and how much has changed since. Also, the fact I employ 50 people is pretty mad. I just want to keep going.
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