If you’ve ever thought about changing your life but didn’t know where to start, Ross Parkin’s story might just hit home.
Ross has been on quite a journey—not just with his health and fitness, but also in building a supportive community for men’s mental health, all while navigating life with ADHD and caring for his daughter.
Ross laughs when he talks about how it all began: “My wife just put me in for a £45 gym membership. I was never going to pay for it myself.” That small nudge turned into something much bigger. With guidance from Lifestyle Consultant Sammy, Ross went through the Exercise on Prescription programme and started figuring out how to work out properly, plan his nutrition and make real changes he could sustain, all around caring for his daughter.
Before this, Ross describes his life as a cycle of convenience: takeaways, easy meals, and routines that were more about habit than health. Add ADHD into the mix, and routines became obsessive in their own way—but not always healthy ones. His wife’s support and Sammy’s guidance helped Ross break out of those patterns and channel his obsessive tendencies in a positive direction.
Building a Routine and Loving It
What’s striking about Ross is how quickly the gym became a cornerstone of his day. “I try to get there before the kids wake up. Six days a week, weights, 10,000 steps a day, sometimes more. It’s part of my routine now. I feel off if I don’t go,” he says.
It’s not just about the physical side. Ross noticed how exercise directly impacted his mood and mindset. Even small wins, like learning about nutrition and understanding protein intake, made a huge difference. “Before, I thought protein shakes were just some gimmick. Now I’m literally inhaling chicken and shakes and it works!”
And quitting vaping? Yup! That happened too. After the realisation of how vaping was affecting their breathing whilst exercising, Ross and his wife decided to give vaping up entirely. “We recorded ourselves smashing our vapes outside. It felt fantastic. I never thought I’d get rid of it, but we did.”
Personal Transformation to Community Impact
Ross didn’t just stop at changing his own life. He noticed a gap in local support for men’s mental health and decided to do something about it. He started a Men’s ‘Kick About’ group—a safe, inclusive space where men can meet, get fit and just talk, without the formal setting. What started with a handful of people has grown into a group of around 14 regulars, with all ages represented, from teens to someone nearly 70.
Inclusivity is key. Ross explains how he makes newcomers feel welcome: “If someone’s anxious or hasn’t played in a while, I’ll meet them, help them get comfortable and even mix teams so they can make new friends.” It’s not just about fitness—it’s about connection, breaking isolation and offering support.
Ross also volunteers with his daughter’s inclusive football group, Louth Infinity FC, supporting children with neurodivergence and disabilities. He’s passionate about creating environments where everyone can participate without feeling left out.
Ross’s own mental health journey plays a big role in everything he does. “I know what it’s like to feel anxious or overwhelmed. That’s why I want to make spaces where people feel safe to be themselves, to talk about what’s going on.”
Nutrition, Guidance and Trust
One of the things Ross emphasises is the importance of proper guidance. He’s seen how misinformation about diets and supplements can mislead people. With Sammy’s advice, he learned how to structure meals, understand his body’s needs and make sustainable changes.
“It’s crazy how little people are actually taught about nutrition and fitness. Schools give you a taste, but no one teaches you how to eat, what to eat, when to eat. That’s where someone like Sammy comes in—she’s brilliant and I trust her completely to guide me.”
From smashing vapes to tracking weights in the gym, he’s transformed his lifestyle.
From starting a football group to volunteering for inclusive kids’ sessions, he’s creating spaces where others can thrive, too. When we asked Ross what he’d say to anyone thinking about taking that first step, he was honest:
“Taking that first step literally changes your life.”
He explained that for years he thought chocolate, takeaways and all the habits he’d built around food made him happy — but “they don’t actually make you happy, not like the gym does.” Once you realise most of it is just habit — “you walk into a shop, see all the bright colours and just grab it” — everything starts to shift.
