Sam Wood: Everything You Need to Know About the Fitness Guru and Former Bachelor Star
Sam Wood is one of Australia's most recognisable faces in health, fitness, and reality television. He first entered the public eye as the star of Season 3 of The Bachelor Australia in 2015, but more than a decade later, he's become far better known as one of the country's leading fitness entrepreneurs, a bestselling author, and a devoted family man. In 2026, Sam remains firmly in the headlines — this time for a new venture into weight-loss telehealth that's sparked plenty of public debate.
This guide covers Sam Wood's full story: his early career, his path onto The Bachelor, his marriage to Snezana Wood, the rise and sale of his fitness empire 28 by Sam Wood, and what he's doing in 2026.
Who Is Sam Wood?
Sam Wood is an Australian personal trainer, entrepreneur, author, and media personality with more than two decades of experience in the health and fitness industry. Before finding national fame, he founded Gecko Sports, described as Australia's first kids' gym, back in 2007, growing it into a franchise with around 30 locations. He also studied Exercise Science at university and started out working as a fitness instructor.
Sam Wood and The Bachelor Australia
Sam Wood became a household name in 2015 when he starred as the lead on Season 3 of The Bachelor Australia. At the time, he was a 34-year-old Melbourne-based personal trainer and business owner originally from Tasmania, and the season saw him court 21 women. The show is best remembered today not for the drama typical of the format, but for producing one of Australian reality television's most enduring real-life love stories: Sam's relationship with the season's winner, Snezana Markoski.
Sam and Snezana Wood's Relationship
Sam and Snezana's connection has become something of a rare reality TV success story. She was a single mother from Perth and, at 34, the oldest female contestant on that season, and has said she didn't feel the odds were in her favour going in. Despite that, she and Sam left the show together, got engaged, and married in 2018.
Today, the couple share four daughters: Snezana's eldest daughter Eve from a previous relationship, along with three more daughters they've had together, including Willow, whose birth Sam and Snezana announced through his official Facebook page. Snezana has since written her own memoir reflecting on her Macedonian upbringing, her journey as a single mother, and how appearing on the show reshaped her life.
28 by Sam Wood: Building a Fitness Empire
After his time on The Bachelor, Sam channelled his fitness background into 28 by Sam Wood, a home fitness and nutrition program founded in Melbourne in 2016. The program grew into one of Australia's most successful online training platforms, reportedly helping more than 200,000 people worldwide with structured workouts and nutrition guidance. Sam also became the owner of The Woodshed, described as Australia's largest personal training studio, and published two bestselling books, 28 by Sam Wood and 7 Minutes to Better Health.
In a major milestone for the business, Sam sold 28 by Sam Wood to health-technology company myDNA in 2022, in a deal reported to be worth around $71 million. Rather than stepping away from the health and wellness space, Sam and Snezana went on to launch 28GO, a healthy snack range including protein bars, collagen drinks, and protein banana bread, which is stocked exclusively at Woolworths.
Example: How Sam Wood Balances Business and Family Life
A good example of how Sam Wood approaches his public life is the way he and Snezana have spoken candidly about juggling a growing family with an ever-expanding business. In interviews, the couple has openly admitted that with daughters ranging from toddler age to their late teens, they're "in the trenches" of parenting while still running multiple ventures together. Rather than presenting a polished, effortless image, they've built their public brand around relatability — sharing that they deliberately set aside one day a week for time together without kids or work, and admitting they still hadn't managed to take their honeymoon years after their wedding. This honest, work-in-progress approach to blending family and business is a big part of why Sam and Snezana have maintained such a loyal following well beyond their reality TV origins.
Sam Wood's Latest Venture: Weight-Loss Telehealth
In 2026, Sam Wood has expanded into telehealth, offering access to prescription weight-loss treatments as part of the broader boom in GLP-1 weight-loss medications. The move hasn't been without controversy: Sam has publicly pushed back against criticism suggesting the venture is driven primarily by profit, insisting instead that his focus is on helping people manage their health responsibly rather than capitalising on a trend. He has also used his platform to caution that these medications are not a "magic bullet" for weight loss, encouraging a more balanced view of their role alongside diet and exercise.
Watch: Sam Wood on Fatherhood, Fitness, and Finding Purpose
FAQs
How did Sam Wood become famous?
Sam Wood rose to fame as the star of Season 3 of The Bachelor Australia in 2015, where he met his now-wife, Snezana Markoski.
Who is Sam Wood's wife?
Sam Wood is married to Snezana Wood (née Markoski), whom he met on The Bachelor Australia in 2015. The couple married in 2018 and share four daughters.
Did Sam Wood sell his fitness business?
Yes, Sam Wood sold his fitness program, 28 by Sam Wood, to health-technology company myDNA in 2022 in a deal reportedly worth around $71 million.
What is Sam Wood doing now in 2026?
In 2026, Sam Wood has moved into the weight-loss telehealth space, offering access to prescription GLP-1 medications, alongside continuing to run the 28GO snack range with his wife Snezana.
How many children do Sam and Snezana Wood have?
Sam and Snezana Wood are parents to four daughters in total, including Snezana's eldest daughter, Eve, from a previous relationship.
People Also Ask
What was Sam Wood's job before The Bachelor?
Before appearing on The Bachelor, Sam Wood was a personal trainer and the founder of Gecko Sports, a children's fitness franchise he started in 2007.
Is 28 by Sam Wood still active?
The 28 by Sam Wood program continues to operate under new ownership after being acquired by myDNA in 2022, while Sam and Snezana have shifted their personal focus to newer ventures like the 28GO snack range and weight-loss telehealth.
Why is Sam Wood in the news in 2026?
Sam Wood has been in the news for launching a weight-loss telehealth venture offering prescription GLP-1 medications, a move that has drawn both public interest and criticism.
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