Sam Wood has been stood down indefinitely from the fitness and nutrition business he helped build after being charged with domestic violence offences in Queensland.
The 46-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting after police were called to an address in Noosa at about 9pm on Saturday. The alleged victim cannot be publicly identified.
Wood appeared before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, where his lawyer, Matthew Cuskelly, said the charges would be contested.
“My preliminary instructions are that the charges will be defended,” Mr Cuskelly said outside court.
A spokesperson for DBG Health, the parent company of myDNA, said the organisation had “zero tolerance for domestic violence” and confirmed Wood had been placed on indefinite leave while the matter was investigated and proceeded through the courts.
“Our thoughts are with the family and anyone in the community affected by domestic violence,” the spokesperson said.
In statements posted across the 28 Group’s social media platforms, acting chief executive Mark Watkins said staff had been “shocked and saddened” by the allegations.
Wood and his wife, Snezana, also issued a joint statement saying: “This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are co-operating with authorities.”
Fitness business faces uncertainty
Wood rose to prominence after appearing on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015. He later expanded his Brighton gym, The Woodshed, and launched the 28 by Sam Wood workout and diet programme in 2016.
Following a surge in sign-ups during the Covid-19 pandemic, Wood sold the company to myDNA in 2022 for $71 million. He remained the public face of the business and retained a minority stake.
His profiles and those linked to his wife and their four daughters had comments disabled on Monday. Commenting was also restricted on accounts associated with The Woodshed and 28 by Sam Wood.
Tania Monk, a coach associated with the 28 brand, said she would leave her role. She said her reputation was built on “trust, integrity and advocating for women” and that she could not continue professionally under a brand associated with Wood.
Personal trainer Tiffiny Hall said she was “shocked and disturbed” by the charges. She said her work with 28 by Sam Wood had ended before the allegations emerged and expressed support for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
Questions have also been raised over Ollo For Women, a medical weight-loss, nutrition and telehealth platform targeting women over 40 that Wood launched four months ago. Social media accounts linked to the business were deactivated on Monday.
Wood’s business affairs had previously come under scrutiny after it was reported in November 2025 that the Australian Taxation Office was pursuing more than $7 million in unpaid taxes. A civil case was later dismissed without adjudication after an agreement was reached between the parties.
