A Brisbane father who was never a runner and once faced a life-changing illness is now preparing to run a marathon and build a thriving education business, in a powerful story of resilience, reinvention and the transformative power of practice.
Thomas Ang, who is turning 50 this year, is opening a new Success Tutoring centre in Mount Gravatt East on Saturday, May 16, after a profound health scare three years ago forced him to reassess everything.
“It completely changed how I see life,” Thomas said.
“You realise very quickly what matters, your health, your family and how you spend your time. I knew I wanted to build something meaningful and take control of my future,” Ang said.
Originally from Malaysia, Thomas moved to Australia as a young man to study engineering at University of Sydney, but it was Brisbane where he built his life, met his wife and raised his two children.
“I’ve always believed in hard work and consistency, but after I got sick, I understood it on a completely different level,” he said.
“That’s when I started running.”
From struggling to complete short distances, Thomas began running every day, slowly building endurance through discipline and repetition. In June, he will take on the Brisbane Marathon, something he once thought impossible.
“I wasn’t a runner. Not even close but I showed up every day. A little further, a little stronger. That’s what practice does. It changes you,” Ang explained.
That same philosophy now sits at the heart of his new tutoring centre.
His Mount Gravatt East location is already making waves, with more than 60 students enrolled ahead of its official opening and early results showing strong academic improvement.
Thomas said the decision to invest in a tutoring franchise was driven by both personal experience and a desire to create long-term security for his family.
“I wanted a business that aligned with my values,” he said.
“Practice is everything, whether it’s running, learning or life. I want to help students build confidence, discipline and real skills that will stay with them forever.”
He also wanted greater control over his time, income and future.
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“After what I went through, I didn’t want to leave those things to chance,” he said.
Founder and Global CEO of Michael Black said Thomas’s story reflects the mindset driving the brand’s rapid growth across Australia and internationally.
“Thomas represents exactly what Success Tutoring is about, resilience, discipline and a commitment to improving every single day,” Black said.
“We are seeing more people from all walks of life, including those who have faced significant challenges, step into business ownership because they want control, purpose and the ability to create real impact.”
Black said the strong early enrolment at the Mount Gravatt East centre highlights growing demand from families.
“Parents are looking for support that actually works and our model is built around consistency and practice, which delivers results,” he said.
“What Thomas has achieved already, both personally and professionally, is incredibly powerful and inspiring.”
People can also find a trusted tutoring provider in Baulkham Hills.
For Thomas, the journey is far from over.
“This is just the beginning. I want to build something that supports my family, helps students succeed and shows my kids what’s possible when you don’t give up,” he said.
As he prepares to cross the Brisbane Marathon finish line next month, Thomas said the lesson is simple.
“You don’t need to be the best. You just need to keep going and that is exactly what I’m doing,” he added.
About Success Tutoring
Founded by Michael Black in 2017, Success Tutoring is Australia’s fastest growing education centre with multiple locations and a further 150 cities planned worldwide by 2026. The company offers weekly tutoring sessions in English and maths for students aged five to 17, with a school readiness programme for kids even younger and selective school exam preparation tutoring also available. The Success Model not only empowers students to work at their own pace towards progress but also finds success in the social aspect of students coming together and working as a community of students to find motivation, inspiration and a lifelong love of learning.
Last Updated on July 7, 2026 by Nick Ross
