Inspirational '˜machine' man Neil defies odds

That was the devastating news Neil Foulds received after waking up from major surgery following a motorbike accident in April 2014.

But in the years since his ordeal, the 42-year-old father-of-two has defied the odds - not only to walk again but to pursue his dream career of becoming a personal trainer.

It’s a huge step forward from the dark days following the accident, when he nearly died after being thrown from his motorbike while travelling on Rochdale Road on the way to Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough.

Neil Foulds - had a serious motorbike accident and was paralysed, but has bounced back to start his own personal training business

Recalling the day, Neil, who lives in Wheatley, Halifax, with his wife Alex and son Finlay, said: “Everything happened in slow motion. As I looked down, I thought ‘this is going to hurt’.”

He was rushed to hospital by air ambulance and given a 20 per cent chance of survival. After undergoing surgery and being told he would face months in hospital and would never walk, move or breathe by himself again, Neil’s inspirational journey began.

He said: “I was just thinking, I can’t let my family down. I’m not having my son, my daughter and my wife be my carers. I’ve always been mentally strong - if you give me a challenge I will do it.”

Seven months after the accident, Neil, nicknamed ‘The Machine’ and a self-confessed fitness fanatic, had made so much progress that he was able to return to his job as a service engineer. His surgeon was even shocked by his astounding recovery telling him “you shouldn’t be here, you were lucky to even survive”.

Although he was back at work, Neil knew his heart wasn’t set on sitting in an office all day. Taking the plunge, he decided to take a personal training course. His business, Machines Training UK, began in October and Neil has dreams to help people achieve their goals - no matter what their ability.

“I’m personal training able-bodied people, less able-bodied people, but I want to have my own little studio where people can come in, whether they are depressed, disabled or they don’t feel like they can go in to a gym,” he said.

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