Chef turns personal trainer after nearly dying and shedding 41kg

Jeff Bird says he would cry and feel numb, but now he's happier and healthier. Photo / News.com.au

Jeff Bird was on the brink of death.

The 46-year-old had suffered a pulmonary embolism and was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.

He ended up with major depression that lasted for many years.

"I would genuinely feel nothing, which would impact me on so many levels," Mr Bird said.

"I would just randomly start crying at home and often felt numb and disengaged throughout the day."

Bird said it was a hard and never-ending period of his life where he believed he was "just existing for the sake of it".

"After getting my DVT and heart pulmonary diagnosis, I thought that would be the end of me," he said.

But then Bird managed to turn it all around, losing a staggering 41kg in six months.

Bird was able to shed weight by following a simple, clean-eating dieting plan, combined with hard work and persistence after a sudden life re-evaluation.

The hospitality trainer and chef turned personal trainer has now not only transformed his body, but also has a new lease on life.

Bird, a father of one from Rockhampton, said he used to get frustrated in the past with his body image.

Jeff said he would cry and feel numb, but now he's happier and healthier. Photo / News.com.au

Following the 123Diet he was able to bring his weight down from 128kg to 87kg and get rid of the excess kilos he gained from his medical treatment early last year.

The 123Diet combines diet drops with a low-calorie eating plan for fast weight reduction in a 42-day programme.

"One night, I came across the 123Diet programme and it's online community through my Facebook newsfeed," he said.

"I would frequently read other people's stories, learning what they did and how it had affected them and changed their perspective completely after finishing the programme.

"I had watched and followed the site rather sceptically for six weeks until I mustered up the confidence to give the product a go.

"You don't always have to be where you are or stuck in a never-ending rut.

"You can change and you can overcome anything you set yourself to … but only if you're determined to make that change."

Bird said staying focused and ultimately keeping his eyes on the prize helped him to achieve his weight-loss goals.

"Over my journey so far, there have be ups and downs," he said.

"There have been times where I wanted to stop due to whatever the reason was, but I knew I didn't want to be the person I had been for the past 46 years.

"I vowed to myself that I was not going to live the next 42 the same way.

"I realised at such a later time in my life, but it's advice that I pass on to everyone else now - it's your time, it's your life, please make it count. Don't be afraid to create the new, happier you."