Health Hero

Brett Renall and his wife Angel.

We all know that men aren’t always the best when it comes to looking after their health, going to the doctor, or following a dietian’s (or anyone else’s!) advice. Thinking about MANLY health concerns, Diabetes NZ is always keen to spread the word about the importance of men looking after their health and knowing their numbers (blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure).

So, when we were asked to partner with the Men’s Health Week campaign for 2018 we said yes without hesitation. But we needed a health hero with widespread public appeal to help us get across some key diabetes related messages that would connect with our wonderful Kiwi men and their loved ones.

We wanted someone who “gets it”, who understands the importance of investing in their health and successfully managing diabetes for a long and healthy life. Someone with a trusted media profile in New Zealand who could connect with men of all ages and walks of life.

We chose to partner with small business owner and reality TV star Brett Renall, who was up for the challenge. During Men’s Health Week in June, I was lucky enough to spend the day with Brett filming TV3’s The Café show.

In some ways Brett, 35, is a typical Kiwi guy. He has his own business called Woodpecker Signs, which creates signs for farms and other businesses. He plays rugby, touch, likes crossfit, mountain biking, cricket and snowboarding, hangs out with his mates, has travelled around the world, lived in different countries. He’s a son, a brother, a husband and doggy dad to Cashew, the super-loved French bulldog.

Brett, with Geoff Barton, director Men's Health Week, preparing for The Café interview.

Brett has also lived with type 1 diabetes since 1990, when he was diagnosed as a 7-year-old. You may also know Brett as the man who shot to stardom as the groom from the successful couple from Married at First Sight NZ.

During the series, Brett talked with his new wife Angel about type 1 diabetes and what it was like living with the condition day-to-day. This televised exchange hit the headlines and got people talking. Since then Brett has done more than any other celebrity in recent times to highlight and champion the diabetes cause, becoming a positive T1D role model in the process.

Before Brett and Angel appeared on national television last November, they contacted Diabetes NZ and asked to wear our branded t-shirts. This was wonderful publicity for the organisation and it helped create a positive connection with parents of children with type 1 diabetes and other T1D adults.

Then in February, Brett and Angel pulled on their trainers, attached Fitbits to their wrists, and recorded their steps for the Diabetes Fitbit MoveMeant challenge. Determined to be an incredible role model, Brett progressed to the finals week.

Brett’s passion is to help support young people living with type 1 diabetes. He also understands the importance of helping people to make lifestyle choices that improve their overall health whether they have diabetes or are at risk of developing it.

Brett advocates that all men need to invest in their personal health. His motto for life was handed down from his grandad, who told him: ”Health is your wealth”.

“It’s really important to make an effort to go and see your GP regularly, especially if you have diabetes. I know that when I do my diabetes tests and go to the doctors, I feel really good. It’s about the fact I’ve been.”

When Brett and I chatted about the key messages for his interview, we talked about the health checks all the contestants had to do before being accepted onto the Married at First Sight show. Brett told me how nervous he was about the tests because he was worried that having type 1 diabetes might have ruled him out of taking part.

“Health is important. If you could choose, would you marry someone who might not be around for a long time? Fortunately, as I found out, love often overrules everything else,” he said.

During The Café show, host Mel Homer asked Brett about his tips for the contestants of series two of Married at First Sight. He answered that he would encourage all the men to take the What’s your Score? test, developed for Men’s Health Week 2018 (see below).

During the week Brett also helped raise awareness about prediabetes and how to change your lifestyle to prevent it developing into type 2 diabetes. He shared advice on how to live more healthily with all kinds of diabetes and the importance of being aware of other health issues that affect men, including male-specific cancers.

The Men’s Health campaign lasts all year. You can be a health hero like Brett by visiting your doctor and getting your annual diabetes health check-up. And women can help too by reminding the man in your life, whether it be a partner, father, brother or son, to take some time out to get regular health checks. It might just help save their life.

PREVENT

Every three hours a Kiwi man dies of a preventable illness like heart disease. Here are some tips on how to reduce the risk.

Get a diabetes checkup at least once a year and remember to ask for an eyes and feet check too. If you have diabetes you have double the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Diabetes-related complications are easier to treat if caught early.

Know your blood pressure Check it, understand it, tame it – it’s the ‘silent killer’.

Watch your mouth! Understand your intake of salt, fats, processed food, sugar and alcohol.

Don’t ignore the warning signs It’s not “probably nothing” – your body warns you for a reason.

Manage your stress Make and take time for regular breaks, enjoy hobbies, exercise and up your mood.

Sleep more and smoke less Both will instantly improve your health and reduce your risk factors.

How healthy are you? Find out by taking the online Accuro What’s your score? test at www.menshealthweek.co.nz