15/01/2025
My birthday today - so I wrote an article - what do you think? 🤔
Confronting Health Realities: My Journey as a Type 2 Diabetic and its Mental Effects
As the founder of the IFProject, my mission extends beyond offering digital resources; it's about fostering a culture where men feel empowered to discuss and address their health openly.
Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "If," we've developed comprehensive tools like the digital IFGuide and the IFMen App, which are grounded in practical support. These resources, developed with insights from esteemed therapist Mr. Barry Hogg, aim to guide men through their personal challenges.
My own health journey has been both profound and instructive. Diagnosed with Complex PTSD and later with diabetes, I've encountered significant challenges that tested my resilience and forced me to confront my health more directly. The phrase, "Blessed are those who survive the fire and bring back buckets of water to those still going through it," deeply resonates with me. It reflects my commitment to sharing my experiences, hoping to illuminate the path for others navigating similar struggles.
The wake-up call came just before Christmas 2024, when a routine check revealed alarmingly high glucose levels. Despite maintaining what I believed was a healthy lifestyle with daily walks and dietary changes, I had overlooked regular medical check-ups, a lapse that nearly cost me dearly.
Prompted by this scare, I acquired a 24-hour glucose monitor to gain a real-time understanding of my condition.
The initial results were daunting, with readings consistently in the red zone. It was a stark reminder of the reality I faced, and the anxiety and depression that ensued were overwhelming. At this critical juncture, the support of my wife, Martina, was invaluable, but it was the guidance and empathy from my friend Ross that also helped make a difference.
Ross, a Type 1 diabetic since childhood, not only helped me set up the glucose monitor but also shared his own lifelong experiences managing diabetes. His reassurance was a reminder of the power of sharing and support among men—especially for those of us who pride ourselves on toughness and resilience.
Ross's advice to allow time for change was crucial. He emphasised that substantial lifestyle changes require patience and persistence. By my 54th birthday, a month after the onset of this rigorous monitoring, I was delighted to find my glucose levels largely stabilised—a testament to the efficacy of informed, consistent efforts.
This journey has reinforced a crucial lesson: our bodies are our vehicles, and proactive health management is non-negotiable. My step counter and glucose monitor are now indispensable gauges on my dashboard that guide my daily health decisions and keep my vehicle on the road for me and my family.
More importantly, this experience has underscored the critical need for open dialogue about health among men, particularly in cultures that valorise stoicism, like ours in Australia: ‘She’ll be right mate’.
To all men out there: It’s essential we break down the barriers that keep us from discussing our physical and mental health. Open conversations can save lives, and they begin with acknowledging that vulnerability is not a weakness but a fundamental aspect of our strength.
Through the IFProject, I am committed to supporting these conversations, providing resources that empower men to manage their health proactively. Let’s change the narrative around men’s health together.
Vulnerability is courage in disguise, and together, we can support each other in more meaningful, life-affirming ways.
Below is Ross on my birthday walk - holding up his glucose data - to me this is what success looks like 🏆
