Fitness fanatic Joe Wicks says growing up around his father who battled a heroin addiction shaped his path in life.
The Body Coach, 34, is currently ensuring the nation stays fit through the coronavirus pandemic and will be donating his profits to the NHS.
However, life wasn’t always as positive for the star who used exercise to “manage” his feelings.
Joe and his brother, Nikki, 36, avoided drugs while they were growing up and have cited their Mum Raquela for guiding them to “right and wrong” while their father, Gary, was “in and out of rehab”.
Joe claims that his father was absent throughout his childhood (Image: Joe Wicks/Instagram)
His mother left home aged 15 and was living in a squat in Epsom, Surrey, when the fitness guru was born.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “Because of my dad’s addiction, and the damage I saw that cause, me and Nikki steered clear of it.
“We weren’t smoking weed, we were training, exercising and playing sport. Along the line, I decided that wasn’t going to be my destiny – that wasn’t going to be my path.”
The fitness fanatic added that he and brother Nikki chose a life of exercise rather than drugs (Image: Joe Wicks/Instagram)
The dad-of-two frequently shares workouts live from his South West London home and has recently delighted millions of fans teaching children PE every day.
Friday saw the star don a Spider-Man costume for his workout.
Despite his turbulent childhood, he is now able to cope with his dad’s addictions which sees him still battle with depression and smoking cannabis.
Joe has been treating the nation to PE lessons in their homes (Image: Getty Images for Disney)
He said: “When you’re dealing with a drug addict going through depression, you really want to push them away and say, ‘Get the f out of my life, you’re causing me too much pain.’
“But what you need to do is bring them closer. The antidote is connection. I’ve learned that.”
He added: “Now, when my dad’s going through a low period, I’m texting him and ringing him and asking how he is – I’m not judging him for being an addict. He’ll always be an addict – he relapses all the time.
Joe’s dad is now involved in his life and frequently hangs out with his family (Image: Internet Unknown)
“Now as I’ve matured, I’m there for him and loving him just how he is, whether he’s smoking weed and going through depression or whether he’s really happy and coming to see me and Indie (Joe’s daughter) and hanging out with us.”
He has previously said that you should try exercise before drugs or anti-depressants.
Speaking on Russell Brand’s Under the Skin podcast Joe said: “It’s hard, my dad says the last thing he wants to do when he’s going through his low points is exercise. But I say, ‘Dad, you know how it makes you feel – you always feel better.’
“When he goes for a run, he comes back a different man. The physiological state can change your mental state. It may be temporary, but you have that ability to do it every day.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
