A HEALTH and fitness expert who fought back from redundancy has voiced words of encouragement to others going through hard times.

Manjit Singh Dol set up a state-of-the-art performance studio, called Absolutely Fit, in February 2011 to work with the public and top athletes.

He was made redundant by Swindon pharmaceutical business Catalent in 2009, and his wife also lost her job at about the same time.

Already a martial arts expert, he decided to branch out into the health and fitness industry using a scientific approach to nutrition and exercise.

The Kembrey Park studio now has a roster of clients, including Swindon Town footballer Jerel Ifil and boxer Kelvin Young.

Mr Dol, of Oakhurst, was already a fully-qualified personal trainer and had worked in food chemistry before Catalent axed hundreds of staff.

“My wife and I were made redundant when the first recession hit and we had no money coming in,” he said. “We had a house we had worked hard for and when the tenants were also made redundant, it was a triple whammy.

“I decided to take a massive pay-cut, use sheer belief and will-power, and work hard at something I enjoy.

“They say the first year in business is the hardest, but my message is that if it’s something you believe in, give it 100 per cent no matter how it looks to anyone else, or even yourself. Dig in deep and you’ll find a solution.

“There are going to be times when you feel like throwing the towel in, but if you keep moving forward sometimes as if by magic things happen.”

Mr Dol mainly helps clients to lose body fat or gain muscle, which includes professional athletes.

He has also given qualified personal trainers the chance to work at his studio on a self-employed basis, providing them with motivation, nutrition and coaching advice.

“I kick-started the studio from scratch,” Mr Dol said.

“It is the most fully-equipped studio for personal training in Swindon. It is all science-based and it has got a 3G trainer that no one else in England has got.”

The 41-year-old was boosted by further good news in September when his wife gave birth to twin boys Rocky and Tiger.

The Bruce Lee fan admits he is not out the water yet, but has high hopes for the future.

“When I was made redundant I said ‘I’m never going to work for anyone else because I don’t want to be put in this situation again’,” he said.