Greg McDermott with partner April Gillies.
Camera IconGreg McDermott with partner April Gillies. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Kingsley: cyclist on trip of self improvement stops by

Staff WriterJoondalup Times

A MAN’S latest quest as part of a major life transformation took him to Kingsley recently.

Three years ago, New South Welshman Greg McDermott was an overweight and depressed binge drinker weighing 110kg.

But a life-changing moment when he was unable to fit into a vest for a friend’s wedding set him on a path to wellness.

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“After numerous opportunities given to me by family and friends to change my lifestyle it took until that precise moment to finally say the words ‘enough is enough’,” he wrote on his webpage.

Mr McDermott’s former self.
Camera IconMr McDermott’s former self. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“I was the fat funny guy at every function but deep down was so insecure and scared about myself, that I struggled to stand in front of a group and talk from the fear of rejection and what they may think of me.”

Mr McDermott lost 30kg in five months, forgoing meat and dairy and switching to a plant-based diet which he continues today under the moniker “The Fruit Guy”.

A newfound passion for physical challenges led the 34-year-old to Kingsley as part of an attempt to cycle almost 15,000km around the country in 79 days with an aim of raising $50,000 for Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets for homeless young people.

Mr McDermott visited local business Passione Gourmet Deli Cafe, having reached the 8700km-mark in his anti-clockwise journey back to New South Wales.

Late last week, he had raised $32,680 for the cause as he headed for South Australia after visiting Busselton.

To donate visit ridearoundoz.everydayhero.com/au/ride-around-oz-2016.