4 minute read
My life
OSHER GUNSBERG
Osher Gunsberg is passionate about his diet and wellbeing, but that doesn’t mean he wants to shove it down anyone else’s throat.
The Bachelor host converted to a plant-based diet in 2002 and credits it — along with daily exercise and meditation — with giving him the energy he needs to juggle his many work commitments, along with maintaining his mental health.
“The way I feel since I started on a plant-based diet far outweighs any taste sensation on my tongue,” Osher says with a laugh.
“I am also coeliac, so I am grateful for the food I get to eat. And my wife (Audrey) is an extraordinary cook, so I don’t feel like I miss out on anything.”
His openness about his diet has drawn criticism from some quarters. He was accused of not being staunch enough in his beliefs because he attended the Melbourne Cup Carnival and continued to wear leather shoes.
But Osher believes that it is up to each individual how they choose to live their lives, and while a vegan diet is right for him that doesn’t mean he is in a rush to tell others they must do the same.
“If people want to talk to me about it, then I am happy to share my story,” he says.
“I don’t believe in shoving my opinions down other people’s throats. Your garden, your path.”
When he is not fronting one of his four prime-time shows, the ex-Australian Idol host is far from idle.
He enjoys livestreaming on Twitch and has two weekly podcasts, the interview series Better Than Yesterday and DadPod, which he co-hosts with Charlie Clausen.
“Every TV show is going to get cancelled one day unless you work on the nightly news,” he says.
“Right now, The Bachelor is going OK, but I always make sure I have other things on the go, because you never know when your time may be up. I have been in that position before and I’ll never let that happen again.”
On top of his busy work schedule, Osher is father to Wolfgang, 1, and has a teenage stepdaughter. Looking after his family has made the already health-conscious presenter even more vigilant about maintaining his wellbeing.
For Osher, 46, that means making sure he finds time for daily exercise.
While having a toddler in the house makes the days of going for a 100km ride a thing of the past, he does manage to shoehorn in an hour on the exercise bike or a backyard workout with his kettlebells while his son takes a nap.
He says he is more interested in the mental benefits of exercise that come with the release of “happy hormones” such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin than the fact it helps him look good in a suit. Osher, who has spoken candidly about his mental health struggles, found himself starting to come apart at the seams as the due date for his son approached and, at the urging of his wife, sought help from a doctor.
“I drive a lovely electric car — a Nissan Leaf — and if it experiences problems, I wouldn’t try to fix it myself, I’d take it to an expert,” he explains.
“It’s the same with mental health. I am not a psychologist, so I cannot fix these issues myself.
“I challenge anyone who has cradled their newborn in their arms as they watched the 6pm news to not say they’ve had moments of fear.
“Because of my background I am more susceptible to that, and it was taking me on a dark path until Audrey pointed out that I should go and see my doctor and get back on the meds. “Seeking help for your mental health is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength,” he adds. “There’s more weakness in pretending the problem doesn’t exist, leaving your partner or loved ones to carry that extra burden.” Performing in front of a huge audience or on live television may seem like an unusual career choice for someone who battles anxiety. Not for Osher. “For me anxiety is about lack of control,” he explains. “Being in front of a camera, where
I am the one holding the mic, and everyone is quiet, is the time when
I am most in control.”
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