Julian's Story | Choose Progress

From 13 years oldto a lifetime of fitness

For Julian Molteno, being a Personal Trainer is not a job, it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion that began when fitness itself was a niche activity.

Starting his training journey in South Africa in 1982, at a time when bodybuilding was misunderstood and discouraged, Julian knew instantly this was his life’s passion. For 45 years, that commitment hasn't dimmed. He has brought that dedication to Fitness First Marylebone, where he has been a pillar of the community for 20 years - an enduring testament to consistency.

Julian's definition of success has evolved from "smashing it to pieces" to recognising the immense power of movement. He recalls an early, defining moment, training a middle-aged woman who was physically distressed and stiff from built-up lactic acid. Through gentle, consistent training, Julian was able to transform her life, liberating her both physically and emotionally.

His greatest lesson for his clients is to shift focus from the big goals (losing 10 kilos, benching 100 kgs) to the small gains. Julian insists these small steps, the kilo lost, the extra 5K benched, must be celebrated, not ignored.

The right time is always now. Success, he believes, is achieved the moment you say, "I need to do something," and walk through the front door.

Julian knows that perfection can be the enemy. The fitness lifestyle is tricky, requiring balance and resilience. Attempting perfection only sets you up to fail. Instead, he guides members toward consistency over a long period of time, knowing that failure is not a problem, but simply a chance to come back and try again.

From being told he would be "muscle bound" to becoming a veteran PT who defines success as simply walking into the gym, Julian’s story proves that progress is built on legacy, resilience, and choosing to show up consistently, one small gain at a time.

At Fitness First, we believe progress isn't linear, results don't come from quick fixes, it's about showing up, again and again. It's not about perfection, it's about progress. Every rep, every class, every choice adds up to real change. Because when you choose progress, you don't just change your body - you change what you believe is possible.