Exclusive:
Bailey Greetham-Clark’s life turned around after he went for a run in jeans and plimsolls and he hasn’t looked back since – now he is a viral treasure and spends his time helping the elderly
Meet the 21-year-old man who has built an empire and keeps the elderly fit by teaching them boxing.
Bailey Greetham-Clark has raked in millions of watchers online for his commitment to getting people into exercise. The young man, from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, started his company ‘Be Great Fitness’ in 2020 at just 17-years-old, and now helps thousands of people.
The fitness expert told The Mirror he had a “rough upbringing” that resulted in him struggling and being kicked out of school. He was taken in by his grandparents and his “mental health went downhill”. House-bound and feeling unmotivated, he decided it was time to get on track, so he went for a run in all he had – a pair of jeans and plimsolls – believing that “something needed to change”.
After seeing his life, school grades, and mental health dramatically improve, Bailey wanted to make it his life’s purpose to improve other people’s lives. “I really wanted to help other people,” he said. Bailey began working with people with special needs and teaching sport, before setting up his wellbeing company that has made sport and fitness accessible to care homes, hospitals, schools, and community centres.
Bailey said: “A group of adults with special needs reached out to me after seeing my work. I fell in love with this group and realised how incredible they were.” After this experience, he realised that people from a number of vulnerable groups do not have the same access to sport as others.
“I definitely felt like I could make an impact,” he added. Now his calendar is jam-packed after becoming a viral sensation and launching his company ‘Be Great Fitness’.
He commented: “I was starting my business to help people in sport and fitness so it just felt right and it all came together. We started working in care homes and it just felt amazing. And then we started posting on TikTok and now I’m getting millions of views and doing some incredible stuff.”
Bailey is now best known for heading into care homes, and takes boxing gloves with him for the residents to wear. He then gets them to hit pads. The drills have been dubbed “so sweet”, “amazing”, and “heart-warming” by his legion of followers on his TikTok page @_baileygreetham.
One of Bailey’s recent viral videos shows him helping an elderly man named David who has suffered from a stroke. Bailey gave him boxing gloves and got him to carry out 10 hits with his right hand before introducing movement to his left side.
Bailey said: “He has lost a lot of mobility on the left side of his body. The last thing I want is for David to not feel involved or included in our session. So we did a bit of assisted work that got the blood flowing.”
Speaking about why he is so passionate, the coach explained: “It’s difficult because the fitness industry can be so scary. But you have got to find something you enjoy. There is no point going to the gym if you don’t enjoy it and the rest will take you away. Just try a lot of different things.”
Speaking about his popularity, Bailey added: “The social media has been crazy and I don’t know how these videos get so many views. It’s a dream come true for me.” Two women he has worked with even put him forward for an honour from the King last year.
He continued: “We are getting recognised for the great things we are doing. I can’t believe I am doing this at 21. We enjoy it and it’s nice to be able to do that”
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