March 25th: Today’s Feature

March

Derrick Errol Evans MBE, also known as Mr Motivator, is a renowned fitness instructor who was born on 15 November 1952 in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. Despite a challenging start in life, being given away by his single mother at three months old, Evans found stability and support from his adoptive father, Stanford Rose, who was a farmer in Jamaica. In 1961, his adoptive family relocated to Leicester, UK, where his father worked as a labourer in a knitwear factory. While his mother returned to Jamaica after two years, his adoptive father remained in the UK until Evans reached the age of 17.

Pre-fitness Career

Before his rise to fame in the fitness industry, Evans embarked on a career path unrelated to his passion for fitness. At the age of 17, he secured his first job at the East Midlands Gas Board, where he worked in the customer complaints department. However, Evans' entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore other avenues, and he began selling costume jewellery in various high street shops. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved financial stability, setting the stage for his future success as a fitness guru.

Origins of Mr Motivator

The story of Mr. Motivator, whose real name is Derrick Evans, began in 1983 when he started teaching exercise classes at a church hall in Neasden, North West London. His classes gained popularity, catching the attention of the British Heart Foundation, who asked him to lead classes across the country. Despite multiple attempts, it wasn't until 1992 that he caught the eye of ITV, thanks to a recommendation from his friend Tessa Sanderson, leading to his appearance on the health education series, the Full Treatment, produced by Thames TV.

GMTV (1993–2000)

The moniker "Mr. Motivator" was coined during street performances with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, where Finnigan proclaimed Evans as a motivator, a title that stuck. His big break came in 1993 when Greg Dyke recruited him for the morning show GMTV, where he became a household name in the UK. Sporting vibrant outfits, Mr. Motivator showcased fitness routines live on-air, captivating audiences and solidifying his place in the fitness industry.

During his time on GMTV from 1993 to 2000, Mr. Motivator's popularity soared, leading to the release of several fitness videos that became bestsellers in the UK. However, in 2000, Evans made the decision to leave GMTV and return to Jamaica due to his daughter's health issues. Once back in Jamaica, he ventured into the tourism industry with his business, H'Evans Scent, offering thrilling activities like ziplining and paintballing. Despite his move, Evans continued to make appearances in the UK and even founded his production company, "Wicked Productions," with his son Benjamin, releasing more fitness videos over the years.

GMTV Return 2009

In 2009, Evans made a comeback to GMTV, this time as Mr Motivator, for a special three-week stint aimed at promoting the public health initiative Change4Life. During this period, Evans had the opportunity to meet with the then British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to further endorse the NHS Change4Life campaign. Additionally, in 2016, Evans published his autobiography, The Warm Up, which delved into his experiences growing up in Jamaica.

Return to television between 2014 and 2016

Evans was set to participate in a new gymnastics competition show called Tumble, as announced by the BBC in June 2014. Unfortunately, he had to pull out of the competition due to a knee dislocation that required surgical intervention. Despite this setback, Evans continued to stay active in the fitness realm by showcasing his routines on stage at the Y Not Festival in Pikehall, Derbyshire starting from 2015.

By 2016, Evans was back on television screens, this time appearing on Lorraine to promote his latest book, The Warm Up. This book release marked another milestone in Evans' career, allowing him to share more about his personal journey and experiences with a wider audience.

Coronavirus pandemic period (2020–20211)

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic period from 2020 to 2021, Evans actively engaged in various initiatives to promote health and fitness. In collaboration with BBC television's HealthCheck UK Live, he dedicated his efforts to keeping the British population fit during the lockdown. This aligned with the growing trend of home-based workout routines that gained popularity during the pandemic. Additionally, Evans partnered with Ideal World in May 2020 to conduct live workouts, with the aim of supporting AgeUK.

In February 2021, Evans announced a significant partnership with Umbrella Training. As part of this collaboration, he hosted a series of online exercise classes titled "No More Banana Bread." These classes were specifically designed to enhance the mental and physical well-being of Umbrella Training's apprentices, business partners, and the broader hospitality industry.

Evans also demonstrated his support for Swindon's renowned Oasis Leisure Centre, which unfortunately had to permanently close its doors due to the pandemic. He recorded a special video message to express his solidarity and encouragement during this challenging time.

In April 2021, Evans extended his efforts to collaborate with Colchester Borough Council and the Essex FaNs Network. Together, they organised a series of online exercise classes for the staff and residents of over 70 care homes across Essex. Additionally, Evans joined forces with British Olympians Greg Rutherford, Nicola Adams, and Kelly Smith to launch the 'Energy Fit for the Future' campaign by Smart Energy GB. This campaign aimed to promote the installation of smart meters in homes, with the participation of the aforementioned athletes serving as inspiration.

In May 2021, Evans continued his dedication to promoting health and fitness by partnering with Oasis, The Children's Society, and Applause for Thought. Their joint campaign, "Body and Soul," encouraged over 30,000 individuals to participate in online workout routines in schools, performing arts colleges, and community centres across the United Kingdom. Additionally, as part of "Get Travelling Week," Evans collaborated with TTG and ABTA to provide online exercise classes specifically tailored to the tourism industry. The goal was to emphasise the importance of employee well-being within this sector.

Later in the same month, Evans contributed to Centrepoint's STAY:UP campaign, which aimed to raise funds for young homeless people. He provided a morning workout routine to engage participants and encourage their support for this important cause.

Personal

Evans, a resident of St Ann, Jamaica, shares his home with his wife Sandra Palmer and their youngest daughter. He leads a busy life, dividing his time between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

Throughout his life, Evans has experienced various relationships, having been married three times and previously involved with Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson. Tragically, he faced immense sorrow when he lost his 12-year-old grandchild to meningitis in November 2021, describing those months as the darkest period he has ever endured.

Despite the hardships, Evans has made significant contributions to health and fitness, which were recognised when he was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours. This prestigious honour was bestowed upon him in recognition of his outstanding services in the field of health and fitness.