A future in fitness: Bunji spotlight, Taliver Fulcher
“I am thankful for everything and everyone that has allowed me to get here.”
If you ask Taliver Fulcher, fondly known as TJ, why he wants to work in the fitness industry, he’ll tell you it’s because he wants to make people feel good, both physically and mentally.
TJ’s passion for health and fitness ignited during high school. TJ recalls the pivotal experience he had with an extremely passionate and motivating trainer at his gym, “his number one goal was to get the best out of people and that really resonated with me”. Since joining Bunji's Launchpad School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) Program in October 2023, TJ has set his sights on becoming a qualified Personal Trainer.
In his Launchpad sessions, Bunji helped TJ refine his resume and helped him secure a work experience opportunity at The SAVVY Community, a leading recreational movement and clinical therapy provider in the Illawarra.
TJ marvelled at the swift assistance provided by Bunji, noting, "this is just a testament to how effective they have been in such a short amount of time". His journey is proof of the transformative power of Bunji’s tailored support.
TJ’s work experience with SAVVY took place during their major Survivor event, a 7-day fitness festival all about raising money for charity. This event provided TJ with hands-on experience. He contributed through various roles, such as checking participants' form during exercises, helping with keeping score of Team tallies, and monitoring participant safety at pedestrian crossings. He was most excited when he could apply his knowledge, learned at TAFE, in the sit-and-reach test. TJ has really enjoyed “the varying activities, the liveliness of it all, even in the morning, it’s impressive!”.
The supportive environment at SAVVY, which includes their passionate and enthusiastic staff, has been crucial for TJ. The lively atmosphere of 150+ participants was overwhelming at times, but TJ’s confidence grew in each session. Each day gave him the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute. TJ commends the work of the SAVVY staff, “They’re lovely, answer my open-ended questions, ensuring that I am both doing what they ask of me and just enjoying myself at the same time which makes me feel comfortable”. TJ says “this has been a wonderful experience and I am very excited moving forward. I am thankful for everything and everyone that has allowed me to get here.”
Currently pursuing a Certificate IV in Health and Fitness at UOW College Australia, TJ envisions a future as a Personal Trainer, specialising in one-on-one sessions with people part of the disability community. His mission is clear: “I would love to help out and make people feel more confident about themselves, more capable about themselves and feel really good all round, physically and emotionally”.
TJ has already achieved so much in the short time he has been with Bunji, and we can’t wait to see what goals he kicks in 2024.