But most know me as Big Granty, I was born in South Africa and moved to the UK in 2006 to join the British marines.

Part of my role was to command checkpoints ensuring supply routes were maintained and supported along with the involvement of daily operational planing for patrols and local community safety, here i supplied close protection for a team of reporters through a variety of different situations and environment and much more.

In 2010, I was admitted into hospital after having a stroke, I feel lucky to have survived quite a few traumatic events in my life so far eg, carjacking, being shot, stabbed and I was caught in a forest fire back in South Africa where I narrowly escaped, leaving me with completely burnt feet and wheelchair bound having to learn how to walk again.

I completed 2 tours of Afghanistan, worked as a skydiving instructor and again had a lucky escape due to a parachute malfunction where I had to cut away to land safely under my emergency chute.

After 2 tours of Afghanistan , I left the royal marines and in 2016 I was working as an operations manager for a security firm in an office based role and this is when I felt my fitness and health decline due to being sat down all day. I then got straight back into the gym , did all the research I could to help with my diet, shaped up nicely and entered my first bodybuilding competition. Since then, have won many titles including a world muscle model title, pro cards in several federations and now a pro in the renowned American federation WBFF where I compete with the best of the best, I have now transitioned over to NPC/ IFBB Mens Classic physique.

My hobby, which was also my therapy getting me through all challenges in life, has now become my career. Inspiring people and helping them change their life for a fresh fitness filled one is what I aim to do daily. Reminding them that your health is an investment and not an expense.