A FITNESS and wellbeing expert has been put through his paces after a visit to the Royal Dragoon Guards regiment in Catterick Garrison.

Jessie Pavelka, a US health and fitness coach who has presented Sky Living’s Fat: The Fight of my Life and appeared on ITV’s Daybreak, spent a day at Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) barracks to take part in a physical training session and then impart some of his knowledge to them on nutrition and mindfulness.

He was invited by RDG commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Bateman, whose wife Polly has worked with Mr Pavelka as part of her health and wellbeing company i360 Health, to challenge his regiment to improve their fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and family life.

Mr Pavelka said: “When they are soldiers and working out regularly they will be able to eat whatever they like, but I’m going to try and get them to think about healthy eating and getting the right amount of calories they need.

“Similarly with mindfulness, it can help them to overcome mental blocks when it comes to being tested on fitness, and it is something they can take away to family and civilian life.”

Mrs Bateman said: “I have been taking Jessie around the country on an i360 health and wellbeing road show and I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with both military wives and the regiment.”

Lt Col Bateman added: “Although the regiment is focused on fitness some do not eat particularly well and need help with nutrition, which will make them even more equipped to be at their best.

“We will show Jessie how we do business but also have a bit of fun.”