On the 1st December 2009, at 6am, I made my way to Tenneriffe feeling like crap after a lack of sleep but with a whole day ahead of me. That day would be the start of an epic journey in my life. It was the day I had my first training session, the first day I had ever set foot in a gym in an effort to work towards a goal (well 4 goals really).

That day forever changed my life. Because two years later I am still at the gym pretty much every morning. I have not intentionally skipped a session in 2 years (breaks and trips not included) and now after 2 years I actually enjoy it!

I had set myself some goals and I smashed through them, so set myself some other goals, and smashed through them as well now! I have managed to complete each and every goal that I have set my mind to. I now feel that I can do anything at all in my life.

In the last two years I have done so many things I never thought i would be able to. When I started this I couldn’t ride a bike, I couldn’t run, I couldn’t walk long distances. Look at me now, I can run 5km in the morning and come out of it feeling happy as larry. I can ride a bike for 10km and all I feel is a little bit tired, but have loved it. I have climbed mountains, trekked across the PNG wilderness, I have travelled the world while doing some amazing things.

I have run around Central Park, Run along the Thames, Taken a run along the river in Kyoto all while watching the Sun Rise. I have done things I never thought I would ever be able to and all thanks to a decision I made just two years ago.

I really want today to be the start of another new journey and new challenge but that will just have to wait till I release anything about that yet, but guaranteed when the time comes, I will be letting you all know. But I have made a big change. With what is now a New Mal, comes a new Bigmal.net As you can see the site has had a bit of a change with a whole new look and hopefully I can keep blogging a bit more constantly. I will be trying to post more with a whole range of topics covering all my usuals! and all the stuff that keeps me going every day.

Before I get into the thank yous I do wanna just let you all know that i still have my bigmal365 going at the moment and for this week (since I am 3 days behind in photos anyway) I will be posting photos of my transformation over the last 2 years including some epic moments.

Now a lot of people have asked me over the last 12 months or so to get rid of the “big mal” name. To be honest I have answered the same thing each and every time. No. But I am going to clarify. Big Mal is not a description of who I am or what I was. It was a name that just was me. It described my personality more than anything. I may have been large but i was also larger than life. That still describes the way I try to be now as well. So the name stays because it as much a part of me now, than it ever was.

Over the last 2 years I have had a wealth of support but I have a few big names to thank first. First and foremost I must thank Andrew Burnes. Without his little kick in the pants, this change never would of happened so to Andrew, I have a massive debt to pass back but I can tell you that it was much appreciated and the fact you cared enough to help shows just how generous a person you really are.

To Andy my trainer and all the staff at Adventure 1000 who helped me during that process. I have a big thank you to you guys. You stuck by me all through it, encouraging me and keeping me going at each and every hurdle along the way. Your determination to keep me motivated was astounding and I wouldn’t of made it this far without you. Also a big thanks to Julie Gilbert, my nutritionist. Without your guidance each and every fortnight I would not of been able to achieve the fact that I have changed the entire way I look at food and at life.

To my family, I love each and every one of you and I thank you for the support you have given me each and every day and that you not only got behind me to help me change, but have changed your ways a little bit as well (yes mum i have seen the tiny little changes you have made but its obviously not as big as it could be).

To my friends. The close friends who have stood by me each and every step of the way, through the ups and downs, dealing with my mood swings and my propensity to just go all wierd at random times during the process thank you. Some big shout outs go to Alisha, Trenton, Bianca, Adrian, Shannan, Cat & so many more. You have been there by my side the whole way through, some of you have been there to help out and keep me on track. Trenton was always there in the mornings to walk with me (and Bianca on occasions) or hit the gym, Adrian running the 10k at the Gold Coast for the hell of it to run it with me, Alisha & Shannan always there with a kind word and with a propensity to help me shop and get new clothes during all the changes.

Last but not least I wanna thank all of those who have offered me lots of well wishing and support after ACA went to air. My life changed so much over the last 2 years it was so good to be able to pass on and hopefully return the favour of people putting that message out there in life. I wish that those who are trying to do something similar to me the best of luck and that if you can get the support you need, you can do anything! Just look at what i did!