Tributes paid to gym owner described by mum as ‘incredible’
Daniel Willgoss, who died suddenly on Sunday night. Picture: Willgoss Family - Credit: Archant
Family and friends of a Lowestoft gym owner have paid tribute to an 'incredible young man' who had a passion for lifting.
Daniel Willgoss, who died suddenly on Sunday aged 25, ran Mammoth Power Gym on Whapload Road with his close friend Jordan Peek and was selected to be as part of the England powerlifting team in last year's Four Nations competition.
His mum, Sue Willgoss, described him as a 'very dedicated and a very special person' and said she couldn't believe the number of tributes to him.
She said: 'He was to the point, you knew where you stood with Daniel. He put on a brave front but he was also so knowledgeable about the things he was passionate about like how the body worked and nutrition.
'He loved the gym and in the gym he was a different person. He was just very dedicated and a very special person.'
You may also want to watch:
She added: 'Owning his own gym was what he wanted and what he dreamed of. He also started designing Mammoth Power clothing and that kept him occupied.
'But it was also about the passion of making something linked to his passion for lifting and we will be keeping it going in his memory.'
Most Read
- 1 Band and singer pull out of Latitude Festival due to positive Covid tests
- 2 Coronavirus cases in East Suffolk almost double in a week
- 3 Tributes paid to 'intelligent, humble, quiet and caring' family man
- 4 Seafood restaurant and bar set to transform historic Lowestoft pub
- 5 Lowestoft-area high school honours Year 11 students with glitzy prom
- 6 O2 phone store burglars facing jail terms for break-in
- 7 Sexual misconduct allegations against Suffolk police officers revealed under FoI laws
- 8 Businesses pitch in to give vital support to Lowestoft charities
- 9 Joy as CityFibre backs Lowestoft landmark with sponsorship deal
- 10 Man charged after late night crash in Lowestoft
Mrs Willgoss added her son was autistic and struggled with mental health difficulties throughout his life, and said she would continue to work within special educational needs and disability and push for better mental health support for people like Daniel.
She added: 'He was an incredible young man for doing what he did and getting through his difficult times. I don't think people realised how strong he had to be.
'My drive now will be to get some change in how autistic people with mental health issues are supported and to make sure there are people skilled enough to support our young people because there is a lack of support for them at the moment.'
Mr Peek, posting on Facebook as Mammoth Power Gym, said: 'It is with our deepest regrets and sadness to announce our friend and Mammoth Power director, Danny 'Mammoth' Willgoss lost his battle with mental health last night.
'He will be truly missed by all that his charisma, personality and uniqueness touched!
'A wealth of knowledge has been lost and it really can not be replaced, you were destined for great things Danny.'
