Welcome to our first ever ‘Real Peeps’ post where the team at Bonds will be catching up with some inspiring Aussie people - just real guys and girls doing great things with themselves.

We’re starting off with a bang! Introducing…. Dane Ellevsen, also known as ‘The Healthy Tradie’ Why we love him? He owns his own electrical company and wants to show the world that not all tradies eat choccie milk and meat pies. This Bondi tradie loves to cook using fresh produce, (eggies and avo slides are his specialty) and he’s got thousands of followers salivating over his food posts. Check him out on Instagram: @thehealthytradie and Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehealthytradie

How did you get to be doing what you’re doing today?

A reckless night a few years ago caused me to disconnect a hamstring. A stay in hospital and loads of physio made great reasons for a lifestyle change! I started ‘The Healthy Tradie’ to show people that eating gluten and dairy free isn’t just eating lettuce. It’s really opened my eyes to how much crap is in processed foods. After seeing a naturopath, I soon realised a lot of my digestion issues stemmed from constant worrying about a strict diet and planning my next meal. I went the natural route with strong herbs to kill the parasites I had developed and tackled my anxiety with mindfulness and self-compassion. I studied photography before I became an electrician so I enjoy styling my fresh produce and capturing my passion on a plate. These days I still eat organic wherever possible, ethically raised pasture-fed, pasture-finished meats and practice healthy thinking when it comes to my body.

What are 3 things you couldn’t do without?

1. My loved ones outweigh everything 2. Eating good quality food to fuel my body 3. Surfing has been a love of mine ever since primary school

What is your best piece of advice for your readers?

Follow your passion. Mine is to inspire people by sharing aspects of my healthy lifestyle. This means that I need to accept the occasional jokes from my friends when I bare my soul on my blog. I believe in the ripple effect so if I can help one person it’s all worthwhile. Finally, being a foodie and having loads of intolerances in my past means that I can obsess about food. Mindfulness meditation helps me recognise my harsh critic and adopt a kinder, more gentle approach.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love working alongside my clients while they renovate their homes – when offering design tips, completing and watching their dreams come together.

What’s your first memory of Bonds?

This is an easy one! I wore the ol’ Chesty Bond singlets under my shirt every day at school. After I left school I wore a blue one while working as a landscape labourer. They’re affordable and always a good fit. They’re an essential in everyone’s wardrobe.