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 Franco joined the British Army in 1984 and completed a gruelling six month training course to become a member of Her Majesty’s elite Coldstream Guards Regiment. He served seven years in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards where he saw service in Hong Kong, Brunei, South Korea, America, Northern Ireland, and London on ceremonial duties and was proud to have served in such a prestigious regiment.  After
serving in many theatres of operation, the highlight of his career was completing
a combined US – Korean special forces course whilst serving with the United Nations
in the Republic of South Korea.Rewarded for his professional skills he received a letter of commendation from the supreme commander in chief UN forces, Four Star General WJ Livsey and Two Star General TP Graham of the US Army for outstanding service on attachment as a member of his personal bodyguard team. He also served as a Platoon instructor at the Guards Division recruit-training depot responsible for training recruits and was selected to be a member of a specialist recruiting team on a nationwide tour of the British Isles. Franco an avid sportsman represented the Regiment at Middleweight Boxing, Athletics, Cross Country Running and Swimming before a serious spinal injury during active service brought his career to a premature end in 1991. The injuries sustained meant having to undergo serious spinal surgery and two years of intensive therapy in the highly regarded military rehabilitation centre at RAF Headley Court.  It was here he underwent an intensive fitness and rehabilitation programme under the supervision of some of the country’s leading surgeons, consultants, exercise physiologists and rehabilitation therapists. Following his treatment and subsequent discharge from the forces with a 50% disability, Franco decided to use the skills acquired from his life in the forces in terms of his physical achievements and experience of life in a rehabilitation environment.  Even
though permanently disabled, he wanted another challenge. He decided to train
as a personal trainer and successfully completed the London Central Y.M.C.A. Personal
Trainer Course, making the transition from patient to trainer and therapist. As one of the country’s first disabled personal trainers, Franco formed his new company Complete Personal Training in 1996 and has established a strong client base training people with varied levels of fitness, disabilities and special needs.  Since becoming a trainer he has worked with people of all backgrounds including competitive athletes, professional footballers, female racing car drivers, bodybuilders as well as other sportsmen and women. On the rehabilitation side of his work, Franco has trained people recovering from illnesses such as heart disease, breast cancer, brain tumours, serious leg, knee and back injuries. As well as other medical problems such as diabetes and respiratory problems. His techniques and training styles are very different from most trainers and from the testimonials written, it is clear that many consider Franco’s techniques to be unique. |
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