How an Aussie mum helped Mel Gibson lose 14kg in eight weeks

Perth-based health coach Sam Jackson was sitting in a restaurant in Sydney when she noticed that Hollywood star Mel Gibson was at the table next to her.

While most people might try to take a surreptitious photo of the actor, Jackson went one further and struck up a conversation with him, as he was dining alone.

The two got along famously and ended up swapping phone numbers. Gibson complained that he was having trouble getting rid of his "middle-aged spread". It was a challenge that Jackson couldn't refuse, and so she offered to help coach him through an intensive weight-loss challenge.

According to The West, Jackson said "give me eight weeks with you, I'll get rid of it'."

And she was true to her word. Over the next eight weeks, Gibson lost a whopping 14kg.

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I can’t even begin to describe the fun we have had over the last couple of months - it’s taken dedication, commitment and a whole lot of hard work on Mel’s part ... but that’s how you get the amazing results of dropping 14kg in eight weeks, right? ▪️SJ . . . #aussieaussieaussie #oioioi #favouriteson

A post shared by Samantha Jackson (@samanthajackson.coach) on Sep 21, 2018 at 7:55pm PDT

Jackson tells New Idea that since that chance meeting in June she wakes every morning to a string of text messages from Gibson, who is now back in the US.

"We swap about 30 texts a day and FaceTime a couple of times a week," explains the mum-of-two.

The 62-year-old actor calls Jackson by her nickname Mighty Mouse.

"Mighty Mouse, I don't have time to work out today. That OK?" is an example of a message from Gibson.

To which Jackson's reply is: "Not OK. Get on the treadmill!"

Her strict fitness regimen and diet has seen the Braveheart actor lose 27cm around his stomach.

Gibson is thrilled with the results, saying in a YouTube video "my clothes fit, my back doesn't hurt anymore, I sleep better.

"Basically you're eating more often, but better … at least I fit in the mirror!"

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It’s been about six weeks since my shoulder injury and I’m still in rehab with my brilliant physio Cody at @swanphysiotherapy - I’m technically not allowed to return to my regular training yet ... but that didn’t stop me having some one-armed fun at a photoshoot recently! I was behaving myself Cody, honest!! 😇😇 The second pic shows the difference between my shoulders- I’ve come so far, but still have a way to go. Lucky I’m in good hands ... even though I get frustrated that he won’t let me train!! 😩 ▪️SJ . . . #rehab #notdrugstho #physiotherapy

A post shared by Samantha Jackson (@samanthajackson.coach) on Sep 26, 2018 at 2:02pm PDT

The diet she prescribed for Mel Gibson was shared with New Idea:

Breakfast: (Within an hour of waking) omelette with tomatoes and capsicum.

Snack: (Three hours later) Zen Fuze Protein Shake.

Lunch: (Three hours later) chicken with asparagus, broccoli and green beans and sweet potato.

Snack: (Three hours later) Zen Fuze Protein Shake.

Dinner: (Three hours later) grilled salmon with small baked potato and garden salad.