ITV Came to My Gym – Here’s Why It Meant More Than Just a News Story
- brendanpearl
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
There are moments you don’t expect to come full circle – and then there are moments like yesterday.
ITV News Anglia visited BoxCross UK to cover a story I never imagined I’d get to tell on camera: my return to bodybuilding after 14 years away, and everything that’s happened in between. From fatherhood and running businesses, to building a gym and committing to a transformation – it’s been a journey made up of thousands of small decisions.
Stuart Leithes, the ITV reporter who led the piece, spent the afternoon with us capturing the atmosphere, asking thoughtful questions, and giving a platform to a comeback that means far more to me than muscle.
This wasn’t just a segment about aesthetics – it was a chance to talk about discipline, resilience, and what it means to keep a promise to yourself even after more than a decade away from the stage. It aired last night across both ITV Anglia East and West, with each version tailored slightly differently – a rare opportunity to have my story told twice, in front of two different regional audiences.
For me, this isn’t about chasing attention. It’s about making sure my kids see their dad not just chasing a dream, but finishing what he started.
We shot the segment in the same place I train every day. The same place I’ve built alongside my business partners. The same place I’ve met so many people who are chasing their own goals – whether that’s their first chin-up or a trophy on stage.
This story isn’t over yet. In fact, it’s still being written. But for one afternoon, we pressed pause long enough to reflect on how far we’ve come. And I’m grateful to Stuart, his team, and ITV News Anglia for making that possible.
📍 Filmed at: BoxCross UK, Wisbech
🎤 Reported by: Stuart Leit
hes (@LeithesITV)
📺 Aired: ITV Anglia News East & West
📆 Date: 11 June 2025
Thanks to everyone supporting this journey. More to come.
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