'Strength Sensei' under fire for 'fat shaming' post
A personal trainer has come into the spotlight for the wrong reasons, after being accused of publicly "fat shaming" an overweight woman on Facebook.
The trainer, Charles R Poliquin, who is also known as the "Strength Sensei", reportedly posted a picture on Sunday with the caption, "Must be really hot in this shopping centre. She started to melt!"
"Or many (sic) it is epigenetics, she is expressing the marshmallow gene because of her consumption of high fructose corn syrup."
The original post is no longer on Mr Poliquin's page, but a Melbourne trainer with the page 'JPS Health & Fitness' appears to have taken a screen shot and shared the image on May 23.
That trainer voicing their outrage: "For someone who claims to be a 'leader' in the fitness industry, it is disgusting to see him, let alone anyone, put down and make a mockery of someone who is out of shape."
The Melbourne trainer, JPS Health & Fitness, also wrote: "Bullying and making fun of those who are overweight and obese is not only morally incorrect, but is of no benefit to the problem and epidemic we face."
JPS Health & Fitness also posted again about the alleged body shaming incident this morning.
"Fat shaming is not cool."
"It doesn't help overcome the obesity epidemic, and it's morally incorrect."
The outrage of online users has continued this morning as well.
One wrote: "#strengthsensei should be Ashamed and disgusted in his post !"
Another said yesterday, "Rethink your career. This level of unprofessionalism isn't just distasteful it should clue you in to who you authentically are. It ain't good."
According to News.com.au Poliquin reportedly apologised on Facebook for his remarks, but the post was later removed.
The publication claims in the apology the trainer took "full responsibility for the comment", and reportedly said there were "no positive outcomes to obesity".
It reportedly said: "I am passionate about reversing obesity. And like all passionate people, I go to extremes.
"I hope that we all work together to conquer this problem and help people to live to their highest potential."
Yahoo7 News has attempted to contact Mr Poliquin's company for further comment.
