A luxury apartment in Noosa, a missing wedding ring, and a multi-million-dollar fitness brand scrambling to distance itself from its founder. Sam Wood’s fitness empire, formerly known as the 28 Program, has officially rebranded to evvr, as the former reality television star fights domestic violence charges behind bars, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The 46-year-old’s former enterprise shed its signature black and orange aesthetic in favor of a new purple color palette and a fresh website. The company also introduced a new slogan: “evvr.body, evvr.day, evvr.where,” according to Nine.com.au. Pilates instructor Alice Bennett announced the transition in a promotional video, assuring subscribers that the workout routines and trainers remain unchanged.
Shedding Ties and Dealing With Corporate Fallout
The rebranding comes weeks after parent company DBG Health severed all business arrangements with Wood following his arrest. DBG Health stated that it does not tolerate domestic violence in any form, confirming that chief operating officer Mark Watkin will lead the business in Wood’s absence, Nine.com.au reported. Wood famously found fame on The Bachelor in 2015 before launching 28 By Sam Wood, which he later sold in 2022 for a reported sum of more than $70 million while staying on as the public face of the platform.
Wood remains in custody at the Wolston Correctional Centre in Brisbane’s west after being denied bail earlier in October, News.com.au reported. Queensland police arrested and charged him with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting following an alleged incident on October 3 while holidaying with his wife, Snezana Wood, and their daughters, according to ABC News. Prosecutors alleged in court that Wood pushed and choked his wife to the point where her breathing stopped, an allegation Wood denies.
Legal Battles and Scrutiny Over Court Files
Wood’s legal team filed an application for a bail review in Queensland’s Supreme Court, alongside an unsuccessful attempt to block media access to court files. In a hearing before Justice Patrick McCafferty, the defense sought a non-publication order to restrict journalists from viewing supporting affidavits, ABC News reported. The judge rejected the broader suppression bid, opting instead to temporarily redact only the personal identifying details and addresses of individuals named in the documents.
During his initial bail application at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court, defense lawyer Matthew Cuskelly argued that his client denied the charges and presented a psychologist’s report indicating Wood was suffering from severe depression, according to News.com.au. Prosecutors successfully opposed bail, pointing to an alleged prior incident in Victoria three years ago as evidence of escalating behavior, ABC News noted.
Behind Closed Doors in Brighton and Noosa
As the legal proceedings press forward, new details have surfaced regarding the state of the couple’s marriage. Friends of Snezana Wood told the Herald Sun that she felt trapped in the eight-year marriage and had reached out to a confidante in what was described as a cry for help. Sources close to the family claimed that Snezana had frequently detailed erratic behavior to friends, and she has recently been spotted in Melbourne without her wedding ring, News.com.au reported.
The couple’s high-profile property portfolio has also shifted amid the ongoing scrutiny, with their Brighton family home currently listed on the market for $7.15 million, following previous sales in Elsternwick and Mount Martha, according to News.com.au.
Wood’s upcoming bail review hearing is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 30, where the Supreme Court will also hear arguments regarding remaining suppression orders.
