Huge congratulations to Nigel Perera on being crowned Physique Academy’s Client of the YEAR, a title that reflects not just an incredible 34+ kilo transformation, but a complete reinvention of his health, mindset and lifestyle.
At 50 years old, he’s in the best shape of his life, keeping up with his kids, wearing clothes he never imagined would fit, and showing up with more consistency, calm and confidence than ever before. What started as a half-joking goal to one day be featured on his coach’s Instagram has turned into a complete physical, mental and lifestyle transformation, and proof that you’re never too old, too busy, or too far gone to change.
We caught up with the 2025 winner to highlight his journey with the Physique Academy, coach Tyler and what's next for Nigel.
First off, congratulations! How does it feel to be named Physique Academy’s Client of the Year?
It makes me genuinely happy, proud in a quiet way. What it really does is tick off a huge stretch-goal for me, but a bigger tick than I ever imagined. In my very first call with my coach Tyler I actually said to him, half joking but half deadly serious, that one of my goals was to be one of the guys he puts on Instagram. Those before and after photos were the reason I joined in the first place. I found them incredibly inspiring and I remember saying, look, I’m really overweight right now but I’ve got a lot of potential. So to go from that first conversation to being Client of the Year feels incredibly satisfying.
Take us back to the start, what was your life like before joining Physique Academy, both physically and mentally when it came to fitness?
I’d tried loads of things. Diets, training plans, a few personal trainers. Nothing really stuck. I might do one piece well for a while, but I could never keep everything aligned at the same time. Physically I was heavy, uncomfortable, but kind of unaware of HOW big and slow I’d become. Mentally I was frustrated with myself because I knew better, but I wasn’t doing better.
What attracted me to Physique Academy was that everything came together in one place. Training, nutrition, accountability, mindset, all of it, and having Tyler there to guide it properly made a huge difference.
What made you decide that this was the moment you needed to change?
There was a slow build up for sure, but the real trigger was seeing a photo of myself on holiday. I looked absolutely huge and it hit me hard. I just thought, right, that’s it. If I’m going to change, it has to be now. On top of that, I was getting married the following year, so I had a very real goal. I wanted to look good, feel confident, and not be worrying about my body on my wedding day.
What were your biggest doubts or fears before starting online coaching?
My biggest fear was whether it could actually work. I’d never met Tyler in person and still haven’t, which sounds mad considering how much time we’ve spent working together. I genuinely wondered if online coaching could really be as effective as someone standing next to you in the gym. What I quickly realised is that it was actually better. There were no time constraints. I could send videos of my form, photos of my food, ask questions anytime, and get proper feedback. Tyler struck the perfect balance between encouragement and the kick up the arse I needed, and that constant access made all the difference.
What has been the biggest physical change you’ve noticed since working with Physique Academy?
I’ve lost over 34 kilos, but more importantly I’m far more active, especially with my kids. I can keep up with them properly now. I’m not exhausted all the time. That’s been huge for me. Beyond the physical transformation.
What mental or lifestyle changes have had the biggest impact on your life? I’ve stopped negotiating with myself. Training and eating well are just part of my life now, not something I debate every day. I trust the process. I don’t panic if things aren’t perfect. That calm mindset has carried over into everything else I do.
What do you think separates Physique Academy from anything else you’ve tried before?
The credibility. You can see the proof everywhere. Real people who were out of shape and are now in great shape. But it’s also the way everything is combined. What you eat, how much you eat, how you train, when you train, how hard you train, plus the motivation and accountability. George Armstrong and his team have genuinely built something unique. I recommend it to everyone without hesitation.
Was there a specific moment during your journey where things really ‘clicked’ for you?
There were a few. The first was when the results started showing and I stopped thinking just about losing weight and started thinking about becoming the best version of myself. I’m 50 and I’ve never been in this shape. I’ve always been a big guy. Another big moment was clothing sizes. I went from XL to L, then to M, and I remember thinking, could I ever actually be a Small? Not as a goal, just whether that was even me. About a year ago I accidentally bought an S online and forgot to return it. I kept it. Tried it on later and it fit properly. That was a massive moment.
What challenges did you face along the way, and how did coaching help you push through them?
Life getting busy, work pressure, travel, old habits trying to sneak back in. Coaching helped because I never felt like I was on my own. There was always a plan and always someone keeping me honest.
How has your education around training and nutrition enhanced?
I understand why I’m doing things now. Not just what to do. That’s been a game-changer. Food isn’t emotional anymore, and training isn’t random - everything is kind of “effortlessly” structured and intentional.
How has this transformation impacted other areas of your life, work, confidence, relationships, or performance?
I show up better everywhere. More energy, more confidence, more consistency. I feel more like myself again, even though I’ve never been as fit as this even in my twenties.
What habits or routines do you now consider non-negotiable for maintaining your results?
Training is scheduled, protein is planned, know sleep matters, walking is part of my day…. Lots of small but powerful changes. And I don’t let one bad day turn into a bad week.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone sitting on the fence about starting their fitness journey, what would it be?
Just start. You don’t need to feel ready. You get ready by doing it.
What would you say to someone who thinks they’re ‘too busy’, ‘too old’, or ‘too far gone’ to change?
I was 49, weighed 107kg which is about 236 pounds, and I followed the program properly. In under a year I was in the best shape of my life. Those excuses are just fear dressed up as logic. If you’re alive, you can change.
Why do you think you were chosen as Client of the Year? What do you feel you did differently?
I didn’t chase quick wins. I committed fully and stuck with it even when it became routine. I followed the process properly, stayed honest, asked questions, and kept going when things slowed down. I treated this like a long term investment in myself rather than a short term fix, and I think that showed.
If you could say one thing to your coach, what would it be?
Thank you for holding me to a standard I knew I was capable of, even when I doubted myself, and for doing it in a way that felt supportive rather than aggressive.
What’s next for you, both in fitness and in life, now that this transformation has become your new normal?
I’m thinking long term now. I’ve been reading a lot about longevity and what it really means to live well for as long as possible, not just survive but thrive. I want to reinvent what 60 looks like, what 70 looks like. I understand now that the work you put in today pays dividends later. And I truly believe you can be in the best shape of your life at any age. I know that because I’m living it.
“Working with Nigel has been an incredible journey, and I know this because whenever I learnt a lot from a client I know that it has helped me grow as a coach which I am forever grateful for. I genuinely feel this has been a pleasure to be part of one of the best life changing transformations I have ever seen let alone being a part of. Myself and Nigel get on very well, to the point we talk to each other as really good mates and that is essential for any client coach relationship which is also part of why there was so much respect and trust between Nigel and myself. I now have Nigel on Playtomic where you can log your paddle scores & he’s absolutely smashing me on it and to see what he looked like under two years ago it has been motivating for me to get my ass into gear and be competitive with him” – Tyler.
