Shannan (Trainer)
Shannan Ponton
Trainer
With over 20 years’ experience in the fitness industry, Shannan Ponton returns to The Biggest Loser: Transformed as a fitness trainer and mentor.
Shannan is a veteran trainer and coach on a national and international level and has worked with some of Australia’s most elite athletes and professional sporting teams.
With extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of exercise, fitness, nutrition, health, people management and the media, Shannan has developed and delivered innovative personal training, fitness, motivational and life solutions to countless people.
Shannan returns to The Biggest Loser: Transformed with his trademark tough love but an added passion for the new format of the series.
Shannan says: “This is the version of The Biggest Loser that I have always wanted to do. It’s about the entire person and the whole package. We are not just teaching them how to exercise, we are teaching them to be the best versions of themselves they can be.
“From nutrition and cooking lessons to self-help and learning more about the reasons why they are overweight, our contestants are completely transformed and I am absolutely pumped to see the results.”
But while some things have changed, Shannan’s competitive spirit has not, especially when it comes to his new co-trainer, Libby Babet.
“Libby is one the best trainers in Australia and I’m stoked to work with her. We have very different approaches to how we get results and I think that’s what will be a good change for this year. But I’m not going to take it easy on her. My blue team are going to take this out and we will be pushing extra hard to be at that live finale.”
Away from The Biggest Loser: Transformed, Shannan is extremely proud to be an Ambassador for a number of charities and causes including The McGrath Foundation, CanTeen and Obesity Prevention Australia. He is also associated with The Millennium Foundation, the RSPCA and Cancer Council NSW.
Pre-2017 profile:
Fitness First’s Shannan Ponton is the iconic Aussie guy who loves the beach and bush, but don’t expect a leisurely vacation when Shannan takes you to the great outdoors; this fitness fanatic sees the Aussie terrain as one big gym!
With 15 years experience in the industry, Shannon has created innovative approaches to fitness including “The Crunch Challenge” which became a fitness show on Foxtel. He’s always looking for new approaches to gain maximum results and has been known to incorporate a diverse array of techniques such as boxing, kickboxing, spin, swimming, martial arts, circuit and weight training. By gaining trust, Shannan is often able to get more from people, driving them harder than they could ever have imagined.
After all, despite his bright personality, this dedicated trainer is known for sayings like “pain is just weakness leaving the body”. It sounds as though our teams will be in capable hands, as the renowned Shannan Ponton joins The Biggest Loser’s first team of Aussie trainers.
Added in Season 4:
Shannan trains the same way he lives his life – with respect, integrity, physical and mental discipline, as well as strength in mind and body.
Shannan and fellow trainer Michelle Bridges have been firm friends and work colleagues for over 10 years. Both invest an extraordinary amount of passion, commitment and time in the contestants once cameras have stopped rolling, determined to monitor their progress every step of the way.
With over fifteen years experience in the fitness industry, Shannan is the ideal candidate to guide the contestants through all of the challenges they face in The Biggest Loser house.