Fitness coach Joe Wicks, whose live-streamed workouts became a lockdown phenomenon, has spoken about the emotional toll of his sudden fame and his plans for the future. The 35-year-old from Surrey, known for his 'PE With Joe' sessions, attracted millions of viewers during the first UK lockdown, raising £580,000 for NHS charities.
Wicks revealed that the idea for the daily workouts came to him in the middle of the night after the government announced school closures in March. The first session on 23 March drew over 700,000 households, with the second day peaking at 954,000 viewers, making it the most popular streamed workout ever. Despite the success, Wicks admitted he felt emotionally drained by the end of the 18-week run, describing it as 'Groundhog Day'.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Wicks shared his background growing up on a council estate with a heroin-addicted father, emphasising that his story shows anyone can choose their own path. He has since completed a 24-hour workout for Children in Need, raising £2.5 million, and launched a new app and his 10th book, '30 Day Kick Start Plan'.
