Becoming a Life! Program Advocate

"I got to the point where it reversed," Tom explains.

"I was actually finding that I was being dropped. I couldn’t keep up with the guys my own age, and I kept thinking, what the hell is going on?"

Time for a check up

Tom booked an appointment with his GP to investigate things a little further.

While Tom’s GP suggested that he go on a 24-hour heart rate monitor, at the same time, he had blood test results come back.

Despite his active lifestyle and healthy weight, Tom’s blood sugar levels were starting to creep up. That’s when a social media post for the Life! program caught his eye.

It was this post that gave Tom a lightbulb moment. He went through the 2-minute health check which is what pre-qualifies you for the Life! program and was contacted by the team.   

Tom knew this is exactly where he should be, but he was also well in tune with himself and knew of all the formats the program he needed the face-to-face.

"I enrolled and made a conscious decision to go face-to-face in a classroom because I thought if I’m at the other end of a Zoom meeting, I can disengage."

For Tom, the group mentality became the secret sauce. He found himself in a supportive environment. Everyone, from parents struggling to cook for families to fellow athletes put their challenges on the table.

Shopping has changed forever

The program didn’t just change Tom’s outlook, it changed his grocery list. Today, Tom describes himself as ‘born again’ when it comes to nutrition.

"There’s nothing that gets put in the basket now that I haven’t looked at the nutritional panels on," he says.

He’s now a pro at spotting hidden sugars and hunting for high-fibre options.

The DIY kitchen has been born

The days of commercial granolas are gone. Tom now buys the ingredients to make breakfast from scratch. He enjoys the process of knowing exactly what goes into his bowl and subsequently, his body.

Tom also gained a new understanding of how life stresses and cortisol levels were impacting his blood sugar. He now feels better equipped to manage.

Becoming an Advocate

Tom isn’t just a graduate of the Life! program; he’s its newest ambassador. He’s often seen encouraging people he meets in his daily life to look up the website and find their way into a session.

"It’s not just about me," Tom insists.

"Diabetes is so prevalent now that we need to get the word out. If someone comes back to me and says they’ve had a positive result, I’m so happy for them."

Tom’s message to anyone on the fence? Don’t lose heart. Use the resources available, engage with the people in the room, and share your story.

Like Tom, you might just find yourself back at the front of the pack.

Take the health check