Photographer Bell Soto links up with stylist Glenn Johnson for a new exclusive featuring professional Rugby League player, model and personal trainer Stuart Reardon. Working hand-in-hand with his career as a professional Rugby League player, Stuart got his modeling start as a fitness model 4 to 5 years ago.
Supported by his manager Kirk Blake of What Model Management, Stuart is pursuing modeling in a more traditional manner, now represented by agencies worldwide. Stuart shares, “I’m looking forward to seeing where this new journey will take me. After all, it’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.” We catch up with Stuart to discuss his rugby, fitness and modeling careers.
How did you get into modeling?
I started modeling about 4-5 years ago purely for the fitness aspect of it as I am a personal trainer, and it made sense being a Professional Rugby League player, which promotes you to be in the best possible shape–being an incredible tough sport to compete in. It’s good promotion for my sport and professionally to build my profile.
As I am a product of my own environment, I can’t charge for healthy nutrition and fitness programs if I’m not in fantastic shape myself. Personally I wouldn’t pay someone to train me, unless present or past they had the motivation to achieve success in sport or been in fantastic shape for a healthy lifestyle with the qualifications to go with it.
Did you have any hesitations?
No hesitations. It made perfect sense for my career and my personal training business. Life is for living and if you don’t try, you’ll never know. I’m a positive person and always strive for progress. Nothing has ever been easy for me in life and my career, but the highs and lows have made me strong both mentally and physically.
What’s the story behind your tattoos?
I have always been interested in ancient tribal cultures. A lot of the ideas came from a wide range of different tribal cultures, but I can’t really take a lot of the credit as the tattoo was done by a very talented tattoo artist called Roy Priestley from Bradford…my home town in Yorkshire. He took the ideas and designs I showed him and created a one off tattoo all drawn on free hand. I am a big fan of the tattoo industry and how talented and creative the artists have become.
What’s the best thing about playing rugby?
I think being a part of a team, a community of players all working together for a common goal and all the things that accompany that i.e – being in any team sport molds you into a strong individual, a team player, teaches you self-sacrifice, builds confidence, commitment, discipline, self-worth, it gives you purpose. I am the person I am today because of the coaches, players, conditioners, physios and teachers I have been privileged to work and play alongside over the years.
How do you approach social media?
Social media in general is such a huge part of life. It gives people more access to you which is what they want. They want to know what you’re doing today, tonight and tomorrow and what you had for your dinner and how your vacation was. It makes you so much more accessible and let’s people see you and who you are, instead of years ago when you had to read about someone in a tabloid. I have used social media to my advantage just like anyone else. I have gained so many awesome fans (Reardonites) and I love the interaction I can have with them. It’s a great worldwide platform also to promote yourself and has helped me so much, both personally and in my business. Everyone is online nowadays on some kind of social media site whether it be Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. I am going to join Mentions so I can do a live Q&A session soon, which I am really looking forward to.
Has social media helped you professionally?
Yes, definitely. It helps me run a successful online training program called Fear Nothing Fitness (FNF). All my clients on the program are generated from my social media accounts. I love my job. I’m addicted to fitness, sports and training. I have always been from a very young age, so it’s the perfect job for me and with the lifestyle I have always loved. I have a fantastic set of people on the program all working hard towards their desired goals, supporting and motivating each other along the way. I love to motivate them and knowing I am helping them reach their own personal goals, it gives me a great sense of achievement. #TeamFNF
What initially perked you interest in fitness?
I was always into fitness from a very young age. I’m a very active and competitive person. I always have been. I started playing Rugby League at the age of 10 and turned professional at 18 years old. I am a fan of many sports and I couldn’t really see any other life for me at that age as I just loved to compete in as many active sports as possible.
How did Fear Nothing Fitness come about?
I believed in my idea on running my own online fitness training program. I had help from my good friends Lynda and Peter in setting up my business and website and making sure everything was run and organized properly. We make a great team. I had a great website built by a talented web designer. Launched my business and never looked back. If anything in life is to succeed, you must first believe in your idea.
I have gained and worked with some of the best strength and conditioners throughout my Professional Rugby League career. I have completed different types of training. I am always learning, as we all are in life. I received all the qualifications I needed to be a great fitness trainer throughout my career while working with some of the best. Being a fitness trainer and running my own business was the perfect role for an individual with my experience and qualifications when transitioning from full time professional Rugby League to part time professional Rugby League.
What does your program offer?
My Fear Nothing Fitness program offers my experience to you via a high intensity interval training video series. Each session is a 30 minute HIIT workout that can be done anywhere as long as you have wifi, with no equipment required. With each FNF program, you get 12 sessions, 3 a week for 4 weeks that provides everything you need to succeed, including a meal plan with recipes, a fitness guide for overall health, and a bonus weights plan for the gym or home. I do each workout with you, providing exercise alternatives for beginners and advanced students, as well as suggestions for the best way to execute each move.
Fear Nothing Fitness is your path to building lean muscle, burning fat while at work and rest, and looking and feeling your best! Join Team FNF and experience a supportive online group of fellow students, exchanging advice on workouts, cooking and recovery. I answer your program, fitness and diet questions via email, in the facebook group, and during an end of program face to face Skype call.
Session Examples (Changes Monthly)
Class 1. Fat Burning Blast!
35 minutes total (25 minutes 5 exercises 5 times round. 45 seconds work, 15 seconds rest recovery, or optional 15 second jog recovery for advanced FNF members)
Exercises may include: High Knees, Mountain Climbers, Squat Thrusts, Jump Squat, and Split Jump Lunges
Benefits include: Fat burning at work and rest in the legs and core
Class 2. Abs Core Blast!
35 minutes total (25 minutes 5 exercises 5 times round.45 seconds work, 15 seconds rest recovery, or optional 15 second jog recovery for advanced FNF members)
Exercises may include: Plank, Crucifix Crunch, Walk Outs, Plank Walks, and Pikes
Benefits include: Defining abs and strengthening the core
Class 3. Max Out!
35 minutes total (25 minutes 5 exercises 5 times round.45 seconds work, 15 seconds rest recovery, or optional 15 second jog recovery for advanced FNF members)
Exercises may include: Press Ups, Squat Jumps, Jumping Jacks, Burpees, and Sprawls
Benefits include: Improved cardio vascular training, muscle strength and toning
3-5 min warm up, 3-5 min stretch down.
What’s your advice for people who want to get more into health and fitness?
Join my fitness program Fear Nothing Fitness at www.stuartreardon.co.uk. For the person wanting to tone up, get fitter and healthier for the holiday season, my next program starts on November 23rd. For New Year’s resolutions–that program starts January 4th. Ha-ha.
Someone first starting out on a healthy new lifestyle should always change there diet first. An easy and simple way to start would be to swap all your over processed fast food habits for healthy natural food choices, we all know a little bit about eating healthy, its changing your bad habits and stepping into a healthy routine which is the first step. 2nd step–seek out your preferred training choices and fit them into your current lifestyle.
Stuart Reardon is represented worldwide by his mother agent What Model Management as well as Next in London, Sight Management in Spain, Fashion Milano in Italy, MGM in Paris, Kult in Germany and Unique in Denmark.
Follow Stuart Reardon on Instagram: @StuReardon
