Health Hero – Garry McKenzie

Question & Answer Session

Q       What do you do to stay fit?

A       I’ve been doing martial arts now for over 30 years. I also go to the gym three times a week and I run, cycle and swim. But it’s all to enhance my Wing Chun.

Q       Why is exercise important to you?

A       You only have one life and you only have one body. If you don’t keep it moving it will seize up.

Q       How has exercise influenced your life?

A       It keeps me healthy and in good shape, it allows me to defend myself, it gives me an income and my wife is also a teacher of it. So it’s a tool I can use in any way I need to.

Q       What health benefits have you gained from exercising?

A       I never get colds or flu and that may be to do with the Wing Chun keeping my immune system going. I do get migraines. But my vision is perfect - I don’t wear glasses.

Q       What do you do to motivate yourself to exercise?

A       First of all I love what I’m doing so it’s not a chore for me to train and teach. Secondly I just have to read in the newspaper that someone’s been stabbed and I start training like a maniac because it’s dangerous out there so I’ve got to keep myself in shape.

Q       Do you have a favourite time of day to exercise?

A       I just work it into my life so it’s a natural thing. I never put aside two hours to train because it’s not easy to do that nowadays. But I train every single day whether it’s for three hours or ten minutes. Sometimes even when I’m watching TV I’m training.

Q       What would you say to someone who wanted to exercise?

A       It’s always best to do something as opposed to nothing. It doesn’t matter what. You’ve only got one life and you’ve only got one body so make the best of it.