HE went from being unable to move from his couch to gearing up for a trek across Australia.

    Gary Wilmot, who moved to Australia from Somerset in South West England more than a decade ago, has been on a mission to walk 5,400 kilometers from Perth to Brisbane to raise awareness for the Heart Foundation.

    And on Friday afternoon, the 46-year-old celebrated his half way mark in Adelaide after tackling an incredible 2,700 kilometers on foot since May 16 with only a few days rest in between.

    “Five years ago, if you had told me I was going to walk across Australia — I’d say you’re nuts,” Wilmot laughed.

    “I was morbidly obese and a non-exerciser who was a ticking time bomb and my life was on the line.”

    Nearly five years ago, the father of two lived off an unhealthy diet where he was excessively smoking and drinking — a lifestyle that saw him tip the scales at 145 kilograms.

    “When I was 42, I decided to turn my life around by embracing a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

    The software developer started his own blog called “No More Mr. Fat Guy,” during which he documented and shared his incredible journey with his followers who watched as he banished all his bad habits and transformed into an active runner.

    After competing in several marathons, he decided to give himself a bigger challenge — to travel from Perth to Brisbane via walking as part of a campaign he set up called Hearts of Australia.

    Wilmot aims to raise US$1 million for the Heart Foundation. “I want to use this initial event as a starting point for an annual virtual run designed to spread the active lifestyle message across and inspire Australians to get fit and healthy,” he said.(SD-Agencies)