Reality TV romance turned dark

Queensland police charged a 46-year-old Victorian man with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting on Sunday. The man was refused bail. Media later identified him as fitness influencer Sam Wood.

From The Bachelor to fitness empire

Wood came to public attention in 2015 as a contestant on the dating show The Bachelor, where he met and married Snezana Markoski. Together they built a family and a series of fitness and wellness enterprises.

Wood's lawyer signals defence

On Monday, Wood's lawyer told media that the star intended to defend the charges. A statement posted to social media accounts of the husband and wife said they were working through the situation as a family.

“This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with authorities.”

Court hears choking allegation

On Thursday, Wood was denied bail. The Maroochydore magistrates court heard Snezana, who was allegedly choked and assaulted by Wood, told police she thought she was going to die.

“thought she was going to die”

The Bachelor's unlikely hero

Wood, 34, was a Tasmanian-born Melbourne-based personal trainer who reportedly applied for season three having never watched an episode. Over 16 episodes he whittled down his matches until he handed his last rose to 34-year-old Perth-based Snezana Markoski.

From gym owner to fitness mogul

At the time of his Bachelor appearance, Wood owned GeckoSports, a kids' fitness franchise network. He sold it in 2016 to launch 28 by Sam Wood, an online fitness and health program that grew rapidly and claimed more than 400,000 subscribers over its first six years.

Major commercial partnerships

Wood leveraged his profile into lucrative ventures. Companies with commercial partnerships included Weet-Bix, Mercedes-Benz, Under Armour, 2XU, Australian Eggs, MYOB, Vibe Soda, Remedy Drinks, and health insurer Bupa. Many are now making clear those partnerships are long over.

Sold fitness empire for 71.2 million

In 2022, Wood sold 28 to myDNA, a Melbourne genomics company backed by pharmaceuticals mogul Dennis Bastas, for seventy-one point two million dollars, a five percent stake in the parent company, and an agreement he would remain the face of the program.

Image built on family values

Wood built his post-Bachelor empire off his family-friendly, women-friendly image. He sustained it by appearing to be the robust exception about nice guys on reality TV, described in a 2023 Men's Health profile as the de facto embodiment of Australian masculinity.

Businesses sever ties immediately

On Monday, as news about the domestic violence allegations gathered steam, businesses and fitness influencers began distancing themselves from Wood. Ollo's social media accounts were deactivated. DBG Health put Wood on indefinite leave.

28 ends all commercial relationships

On Tuesday, the company Wood had built ended its commercial relationships with him effective immediately. DBG Health stated it does not tolerate domestic violence in any form. Twenty-eight would continue under the leadership of Mark Watkin, previously its chief operating officer.

“DBG Health does not tolerate domestic violence in any form, and our thoughts are with anyone affected by it.”

Next court appearance set

Wood returns to court on November 23. His rapid fall from a carefully constructed image of Australian masculinity and family values to facing serious domestic violence charges marks a dramatic collapse of his commercial empire and public standing.