Fitness influencer and reality television personality Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences in Queensland, following an alleged incident over the weekend that has sent shockwaves through his extensive business network.
The 46-year-old Victorian man, who gained national fame as the star of the third season of The Bachelor Australia in 2015, was arrested by police on Sunday. Officers had been called to a property in Noosa at approximately 9pm on Saturday night following reports of a domestic disturbance. Following the incident, police charged Wood with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting.
Wood appeared via video link in the Maroochydore magistrates court on Monday, where he was remanded in custody. His legal representative, Mathew Cuskelly, confirmed that a bail application will be heard this Thursday, adding that Wood is “simply worried about his family” and intends to defend the charges.
In the wake of the arrest, the business entities surrounding Wood have moved quickly to distance themselves from the high-profile fitness entrepreneur. Mark Watkin, acting chief executive of 28 Group—the parent company of the “28 by Sam Wood” fitness platform—announced on Monday that Wood has been placed on indefinite leave.
“We have all been shocked and saddened by the matters involving Sam Wood,” Watkin said in a statement. “We have zero tolerance for domestic violence. While the matter is under investigation and before the court, Sam is on indefinite leave from his duties.”
The fallout has already begun to impact his wider commercial partnerships. The ready-meal provider Foxes Den, which maintained an association with Wood’s “28” brand, declared on Monday that it was ending its partnership with the fitness star effective immediately.
A joint statement posted to the Instagram accounts of both Sam and his wife, Snezana Wood—whom he met during his time on The Bachelor—addressed the situation briefly on Monday morning. “This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with authorities,” the post read.
Wood, who owns “The Woodshed” personal training studio in Melbourne and previously sold his “28” fitness empire for $71.2m, has recently been focusing on a new telehealth-based weight-loss platform, Ollo for Women. The current legal crisis follows a period of intense scrutiny for the influencer, including a recent high-profile dispute with the Australian Taxation Office over alleged unpaid tax debts, which was reportedly settled in September.
As Wood remains in custody ahead of his Thursday court appearance, support services for those affected by domestic violence are being highlighted. Assistance is available through Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.
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