Steve ‘Commando’ Willis rose to fame in 2007 when he burst onto television screens as one of the most ruthless trainers on The Biggest Loser Australia.
The former soldier, 48, was known on the weight loss show for his gruff and forceful personality as he shouted in the faces of overworked contestants.
After leaning into his brutal Commando character during his TV career, Steve has mellowed in recent years, telling Daily Mail Australia it’s all thanks to his four children and girlfriend Harika Vancuylenberg.
“I definitely don’t live my life in character (Commando),” the co-founder of the Get Commando Fit (GCF) gym said Wednesday.
When it comes to raising his children (Briana, 25, Ella, 16, Jack, 13, and Axel, nine), Steve has a softer touch and prefers to lead by example.
“I’m much more considerate and fair, I don’t need to feel so compelled to intervene,” he said.
‘Axel is still young. The way I fathered him is different from the elders. You give the older ones a little more space.
But it wasn’t always that way, as Steve revealed that he had the most trouble with his eldest Briana, who he welcomed into the world when she was just 22 and still figuring out life.
Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, 48, (pictured) shot to fame in 2007 when he burst onto TV screens as one of The Biggest Loser Australia’s most ruthless trainers.
‘It’s very different from when I was younger. Maybe there was anxiety or a need to ensure they didn’t make decisions like me,” he said.
And it seems Steve’s growing children, who he shares with ex-partners Froso (Briana, Ella and Jack) and Michelle Bridges (Axel), have taught him as much about life as he has taught them.
“My children talk to me in circles, but it’s good because I have learned to express myself, my feelings and emotions,” he explained.
‘Being a man, you hear every day in the media that men need to have that support network and lean on someone else’s shoulder and ask for help.
‘I really struggled to express myself with words when I was younger and I think my expression was physical.
‘Today, let’s look at how we all communicate and interact. “We are much better and more considerate.”
The former soldier, 48, was known on the weight loss show for his gruff and forceful personality as he shouted in the faces of overworked contestants. Pictured with co-stars Shannan Ponton, Tiffiny Hall and Michelle Bridges.
Steve is now in a committed and loving relationship with his girlfriend Harika, with whom he started the Get Commando Fit group training in January 2022 in Rouse Hill, New South Wales.
The TV personality and her partner were first spotted walking hand in hand together in February 2020, just days after his ex Michelle, 53, was charged with drink-driving following their split.
Four years later, the couple has a blended family of six, with Harika’s two children from a previous relationship.
Steve says the couple is “too old” to have more children together and currently have no engagement or marriage plans that they are willing to make public.
However, Steve only glows with praise for his girlfriend of four years, who is an F45 trainer and also has a burning passion for fitness.
‘I am proud to say that (Harika) is an incredible woman. She really tries hard. Work hard,” he said.
“She’s a fantastic mother to her children and she’s definitely a fantastic human being to my children.” She is very thoughtful and considerate.
After leaning into his brutal Commando character during his TV career, Steve has mellowed in recent years, telling Daily Mail Australia it’s all thanks to his four children and girlfriend Harika Vancuylenberg. Pictured with Harika and two of her children.
‘She gives people space and time to be themselves. She’s fun. If I could, I would be on the dance floor every day.
‘That’s the kind of person she is… She’s definitely a more outgoing person than me. You know, some people just thrive being around other people.
Before getting into a relationship with Harika, Steve dated fitness guru Michelle, whom he met while working on The Biggest Loser.
Shortly after the couple announced their split from their respective partners at the time, they debuted their new romance on the red carpet in May 2013.
They welcomed their son Axel in December 2015 and then announced their separation in 2020, the same year Michelle was convicted of driving while intoxicated.
In 2021, the former Biggest Loser star told Good Weekend magazine that she suffered her fair share of ‘dark’ days following her split from Steve.
When it comes to raising his children (Briana, 25, Ella, 16, Jack, 13, and Axel, nine), Steve said he has a gentler manner and prefers to lead by example. All in the photo with Harika and her two children.
“I felt very alone,” she said.
‘To be honest, it was the hardest time of my life, before what happened. I felt like I was in a fog and didn’t know what was happening.’
Michelle spent 0.086 when she was stopped in her Range Rover with her then five-year-old son Axel in the car at around 11:25am on Australia Day 2020.
After being charged on January 26, Michelle released a statement stating that she was going through a “very difficult time” following her split from Steve.
The star later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was fined $750. They also took away his license for three months.
Outside court, a tearful Michelle said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and my extreme lack of judgment.”
“I would like to apologize to my family, friends and community for this serious error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever.”
Steve has nothing but high praise for his girlfriend of four years, Harika, who is an F45 trainer and also has a burning passion for fitness. They announced their relationship in 2020
When asked about his current relationship with Michelle, Steve confirmed that they stay in regular contact and are happily parents to their son Axel.
‘Yes, co-parenting and just the communications around that. Whether (Axel) is with her or is with me. You get a good mix,’ he said.
“We both want to spend time together and I make sure he spends time with his brother and sisters.”
Steve left The Biggest Loser after the tenth season aired in 2015 and attempted to launch an acting career in 2018 when he appeared as a guest on Home and Away.
Before getting into a relationship with Harika, Steve dated fitness guru Michelle, whom he met while working on The Biggest Loser for seven years. They share son Axel and separate in 2020
That same year, he joined the cast of Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders and became the 18th person eliminated.
Steve stepped out of the spotlight following his split from Michelle in 2020.
In August this year, he announced that he would be returning to television after his long absence from the screen.
He co-hosted the fourth season of 7Mate’s Search4Hurt show, in which fitness enthusiasts train with experts in a series of grueling challenges.