Trained in RPM®, BODYPUMP® and LES MILLS SPRINT®, Bill Scully’s kindness, warmth, and genuine passion for helping others be their best, inspired countless members of the Les Mills community over many years.
In the beginning…
Natalie Johnson is one of Bill’s three beloved daughters. She says, “Mum [Anne-Maree – also a Les Mills Instructor – and who was seriously injured in the accident] and dad met at a youth group called Antioch when they were 17. It was love at first sight and they were married for 38 years, and together for 40.”
“Dad lived and breathed Les Mills. I don't recall a time when he wasn't listening to the music, learning choreography, or scripting his classes. As a Trainer, he never missed a Quarterly Workshop,” Natalie adds.
First came BODYPUMP…
When Bill first discovered BODYPUMP, Anne-Maree had been participating in Les Mills programs for a number of years. Bill was a ‘weights room boy’ through and through, but Anne-Maree and her best friend, Tracey, challenged him and Tracey's husband Todd, to do a class and match the Instructors’ weights – which, of course, they couldn't do! “Dad always said that ‘what doesn't challenge you, won't change you’ and that’s where his love for BODYPUMP and the challenge it posed, first begun,” says Natalie.
“It wasn’t long after dad became trained in BODYPUMP, when mum got certified too. Dad was mum’s biggest supporter and really encouraged her to do the training so it would be something they could do together.”
Wendy Elphinstone trained both Bill and Anne-Maree in BODYPUMP and a beautiful friendship was maintained, ever since. She says, “Bill was not just a colleague; he was a damn good mate who filled me with happiness and inspiration. He always made people feel seen, and he always trained hard to succeed. Even when he made it to the big stage and was able to train up Instructors himself, he never stopped working hard.”
“Wendy played a very big role in helping dad become the Instructor he was, and her friendship and mentoring meant so much to him,” Natalie adds.
In BODYPUMP, Bill’s favourite tracks to teach were the squat, chest and back tracks. Natalie says, “Mum and dad team-taught a lot of classes including BODYPUMP 100, which mum says was a very special moment for them. I've only ever known my parents to do everything together – they were never far from one another – so it made sense that they shared this too.”
Growing up, Natalie and her sisters – Sarah and Emily – regularly participated in classes where their parents were on the stage. “Watching mum and dad teach together was so inspiring. They would both just smile the whole time. There was always a feeling in the room when they taught together – it’s hard to describe, other than it being like some kind of magic. They made the best team – we didn't like anyone else's classes!”
When Natalie was in her early teens, Bill told her that being a Master Trainer and making it to the big stage was his dream. “We think the seed for this goal was planted at a Quarterly Workshop, when Mike McSweeney told dad that the BODYPUMP top he was wearing looked good on him; it was a moment dad always held close to his heart!”
Then came RPM…
Bill’s RPM journey was a unique one. Natalie recalls, “Dad and Tracey (mentioned previously) made a pact to train together in RPM. Neither were sure that they would be able to teach it, but both encouraged one another to apply! The training was scheduled for the February 2004. Sadly, Tracey unexpectedly passed away in the January and so didn't get to do her training. To honour their agreement, dad did the training for Tracey. He trained on RPM 21. Mum was, again, motivated by dad to get certified in RPM too, and she trained on Release 31. They continued to be a combined force to be reckoned with!”
“Dad absolutely loved RPM,” Natalie adds. “He spoke a lot about Lee Smith and Glen Ostergaard during his RPM journey, because he learned so much from them.”
Lee Smith was equally fond of Bill. He says, “Bill was a humble man, bubbling with passion, and he thrived on learning. He had a calm intensity for new knowledge and he wanted everyone he engaged with, to be their best.”
Natalie says RPM was where Bill really found his voice. “Dad had a beautiful way with words. He knew exactly what you needed to hear, to get you to the end of the track and class – every time. 'Believe in yourself' was his motto (even though he struggled to apply that to himself sometimes).” This was a mantra he picked up from his Initial BODYPUMP Module Trainer, Joe Waide, and one he went on to share with all the Trainees, fellow Instructors and class participants who subsequently crossed his path.
Joining the Trainer, Assessor and Presenter Team…
Around 2007, Bill became an Assessor for Les Mills Asia Pacific, in RPM and BODYPUMP. It was a role that he loved and thrived in.
George Tonga became an Assessor at the same time as Bill, and the friendship that followed spanned the decades. Of his long-time friend, George says, “Bill was one of the first people I met on the TAP Team. He and I often spoke about how we’d be great mates, long after our time on the team expired. He would text: ‘That's for sure! INXS: Never tear us apart [star emoji]’. Coincidentally, on the day of Bill’s passing, this song was voted the ‘Number 1 Australian song of all time’ on the Triple J radio. Another coincidence is that RPM 107 - which Bill was scheduled to present - contains a song that was featured in the first Release that Bill trained on (RPM 21)."
Around 2015, Bill joined the Les Mills Asia Pacific Trainer, Assessor and Presenter (TAP) team, as an RPM Presenter. This opportunity was a direct reflection of his exceptional ability as a Les Mills leader. Around a year later, Bill also joined the TAP team for the BODYPUMP program.
Fellow RPM TAP Team member, Sam Winter says Bill had a unique ability to connect with new Instructors by welcoming them to their first Workshop. “He’d say: ‘Enjoy the moment; we’re so glad to have you here.’ That’s what you always got with Bill – kindness, support, authenticity, and always looking out for those around him.”
Jako Misic originally met Bill at a FILEX fitness convention many years ago, but he got to know Bill through his role as the TAP Team’s Coach for BODYPUMP. “Bill had a unique ability to simplify complicated things and he quietly, yet powerfully, left a mark on everyone he met. He was a humble, honest and hardworking man who didn’t seek the spotlight, although his light shone brightly in everything he did.”
Remembering Bill…
Amanda Breen is the Director – People and Culture at Les Mills Asia Pacific, and also a fellow member of the TAP team. She says, “I first met Bill at the Quarterly Workshops in Tasmania around 2006, when he and Anne-Maree used to manage the registration desk for us. And over the years, I saw first-hand how Bill would get the best out of people because he saw and believed in everyone’s greatness.”
Rob Stubbs is the Health Club Manager at Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Tasmania. He says, “My wife and I first met Bill because our daughters went to school together. And then, years later he popped up in my RPM class as a new RPM Trainee. The thing about Bill was that he always took on every single bit of feedback and advice; and not just back then – he was still doing it even all these years later!”
As a tribute to his friend, Rob says: “RPM 106 was to be my 100th Release of teaching RPM. Bill was just as excited as me, to launch it together. Unfortunately, due to some serious health issues, Bill and my wife, Shanndel, had to launch it without me. I’m nearly ready to get back to RPM, and I'm thinking I’ll teach RPM 106 with Shanndel on one side, and on the other, I’ll have a spare bike with a pair of shoes on the bars – so I can still instruct my 100th Release with Bill!"
Claire Stark is the Operations Manager at Les Mills Asia Pacific. She says, “Bill’s contribution in the training space was a steadying force – always nurturing and supportive. His impact on the industry was huge, but in the most humble and authentic way. He will always be remembered for the heart and dedication he put into his work, as well as his ‘team first!’ attitude.”
Tasmanian-based Bill recorded an episode for the GroupEx Podcast, where he explained how without RPM and BODYPUMP, he would probably have been down a dark hole. “The program, the people, the participants – everything he did, he did for them. It was his purpose and one of many things he was really, really good at,” Natalie says.
“Bill was the best example of what our values look like in action,” explains Amanda. “He truly changed lives and it was an honour to have known him, and be his teammate. Bill's impact has left an indelible mark on me and so many in the Les Mills community. We will always love you and miss you, Bill.”
