A BUSINESSMAN from Wilderspool is hoping to turn peoples lives around with his emotional fitness self-help book and website.

Motivational coach Paul Bird, of Greenalls Avenue, has channelled more than 30 years of corporate and counselling experience and £20,000 of his own money into creating the new programme.

The guide aims to help readers understand their actions, tackle negative thoughts and make positive life changes with a free to join online resource – the emotional gym element – working alongside it to offer ongoing support and practical exercises.

Paul, aged 57, said: “What started as a desire to understand myself better became a desire to understand what drives human thoughts and emotions.

“The research I carried out and the lessons my clients taught me helped me to create a model for Emotional Fitness which I am sure will be of benefit to others.”

A former operations director for Burger King, Berni Inn and Wimpy, he was also managing director of the Boddington Group’s Hotel and Restaurant Division.

He left to set up his own venture, Trainstation Healthclubs, in 1997 before selling in 2001, for £8.5million.

Since then he has turned his attention to emotional rather than physical development and trained as a hypnotherapist and behavioural analyst He set up his business, Paul Bird Associates, and has worked with executives from the likes of Barclays, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

For more information emotionalfitnessgym.co.uk.