Since launching on our TV screens back in the ’90s in neon lycra, Mr Motivator aka Derrick Evans is best known for helping keep the nation fit, healthy and feeling good. But who is the woman behind Mr Motivator?
Often seen accompanying her husband in his live virtual workouts and Instagram videos, Mr Motivator‘s wife, Sandra Evans, is a supportive wife to say the least. You can find Sandra dancing along in the background in one of her husband’s motivational videos that he shares to his 19,000 Instagram followers, or even as the model in one of his demonstrative videos for ‘hip workouts’.
Sandra often appears alongside her husband, Derrick, in the many videos he shares with his followers on Instagram.
Who is Mr Motivator aka Derrick Evans’s wife?
Sandra Evans (born Sandra Palmer) is the wife of fitness instructor and exercise king, Derrick Evans. The loved up couple married in 1996, making it an incredible 25 years together. Sandra Evan is 64 years old and is Derrick’s third wife. The couple currently live in Manchester, UK.
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Why does Mr Motivator call his wife ‘Palmer’?
Derrick Evans aka Mr Motivator often refers to his wife Sandra, by her maiden name which is ‘Palmer’.
Derrick recently dedicated an Instagram post to his beloved wife Sandra. He captioned a video of the pair in the midst of one of their live workouts: “Palmer you are the reason I look down at my phone, smile, feel warm inside and then promptly walk into a lamppost: thank you for giving me so many reasons to laugh Inside and out.” – If that doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does!
What are his tips for a long and happy marriage?
Mr Motivator exclusively told Thrillz of the tips that have led him and Sandra to have 25 years of a happy marriage together, he said: “Respect each other, give each other space, share everything and let each other breathe.”
He continued: “It’s also very important to eat together, never take each other for granted, treat each other with respect and make sure to laugh a lot!”
Sandra aka ‘Palmer’ also told us: “We are hinge and bracket! Where he goes, I go. I am on a rollercoaster of fun and happiness with Derrick!”
Who exactly is Mr Motivator?
Derrick Evans found his fame on the widely popular British morning breakfast show GMTV in 1993, appearing as his stage name, Mr Motivator. He was known for promoting health and fitness to the nation as a way of life. He would often be found performing on-air fitness routines whilst wearing brightly coloured lycra outfits, this soon caught on and became his signature look. His many appearances on GMTV led to Derrick becoming very well known throughout the UK.
Where is Mr Motivator from?
Derrick Evans was born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, to a single mother who gave him away when he was just three months old. He moved to Leicester in the UK with his adoptive family.
How did Mr Motivator get famous?
He worked hard from a young age which led him to teaching fitness classes at a local church in North London. His classes became extremely popular with the locals and eventually got the attention of the British Heart Foundation who asked him to lead classes throughout the country.
Derrick saw a gap in the market for a daytime TV fitness instructor and so he would regularly head down to the ITV studios often and ask them to take him on. His efforts eventually paid off when in 1993, Greg Dyke hired him to appear on the breakfast show, GMTV and so Mr Motivator was born.
Where did the name ‘Mr Motivator’ come from?
The name ‘Mr Motivator’ came from street performances that he, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan gave to crowds in shopping centres and streets. Apparently Finnigan often shouted that Derrick Evans was a ‘motivator’ and the name stuck!
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What are Derrick and his wife Sandra up to now?
The couple currently live in Manchester, England with their youngest daughter. After his time away from daytime TV, and during the recent lockdown, Mr Motivator has returned to doing what he does best, keeping the nation fit and healthy. His wife Sandra also got involved with some of the workouts by demonstrating alternative movements for those who prefer to stay seated.
Mr Motivator exclusively told Thrillz: “These workouts are aimed at everyone, any age, any abilities. It is very important to show how each exercise should and can be done from a chair. Palmer has always had this very important role in my videos.”
Mr Motivator also partnered up with Thrillz for ‘Fitness for the Nation‘ during the January lockdown. Along with his trusted sidekick, Sandra, Mr Motivator held live Facebook workout classes on the Thrillz Facebook page as a way to encourage the nation to keep fit during the isolation months.
In April this year, Derrick told the Manchester Evening News that over this past year he has had time to reflect on what really matters in life. He told them of the four main things that matter to him now: “One is the roof over my head. Food in the fridge – these are all wonderful blessings. Number three is your health, and the fourth thing is love. And who you love and who loves you is your business, but if you love each other, do it unconditionally. And if you don’t have anyone who loves you, look in the mirror and love you!”