DBG Health terminates Sam Wood's contract following domestic violence charges

Immediate commercial rupture

DBG Health, the Australian parent company of 28 by Sam Wood, announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the termination of all commercial agreements with Sam Wood, "effective immediately." This decision escalated the company's initial stance, which the day before had placed the brand's founder on "indefinite leave" following his arrest.

The rupture comes after Queensland police charged Wood, 46, with assault and strangulation in a domestic context. The incidents occurred on Saturday, October 3, at a property in Noosa, where Wood was arrested and remains in custody. The offense of strangulation carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Brand continuity under new leadership

Despite the departure of its founder, DBG Health stated that the fitness business 28 will continue operating under the leadership of Mark Watkin, the group's operations director. The company noted that Watkin will be supported by a team of health and wellness experts.

"DBG Health does not tolerate domestic violence in any form, and our thoughts are with those affected by it," the company stated in a release.

Wood co-founded Australian Life Tech (ALT) in 2016, following his participation in the reality show The Bachelor Australia in 2015. The company developed the exercise and nutrition app 28 by Sam Wood, which, according to previous estimates by Wood himself, had 400,000 customers in its first six years. In 2022, ALT was acquired by the Melbourne-based company myDNA for $71 million, and now operates under the DBG umbrella.

Repercussions in the network of partners and influencers

The news of the charges generated a rapid reaction among collaborators, partners, and influencers associated with the brand. Several of them have publicly announced the end of their ties with Wood and his companies, citing their personal values and the lack of tolerance for domestic violence.

• Jules Robinson, entrepreneur and former contestant on Married at First Sight, announced on Instagram the end of her association with 28 by Sam Wood.
• Tania Monk, founder of Fitness After 40, stated that she will not continue under the brand nor associate her name with programs linked to Wood, emphasizing that her decision is not a judgment on guilt, but a professional line based on her values.
• Foxes Den, a ready-to-eat food company, ended its association "effective immediately."
• Tammin Sursok, Australian actress, paused her association and removed promotional content related to the brand while the case is before the courts.
• Tiffiny Hall, trainer known for The Biggest Loser, clarified that her relationship with the company had ended prior to the accusations.

Additionally, the 28 by Sam Wood members' community on Facebook, with nearly 96,000 users, was put on pause, becoming a read-only group while the situation is resolved.

Legal situation and next steps

Wood appeared before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, October 5, where his lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, requested the adjournment of the case until Thursday, October 8, the date on which a bail application is expected. Cuskelly told the media that Wood will contest the charges.

Wood's family, including his wife Snezana Wood, issued a joint statement on Monday indicating that they were "working through this as a family" and cooperating fully with the authorities.

This case highlights the speed with which companies and public figures react to domestic violence accusations, prioritizing alignment with their corporate and personal values while the judicial system determines guilt.