Don't let end of FY be end of everything...

Happy EOFY to all the financial people out there! I hope it wasn't as stressful as last year and the audit gods smile on you and pass you by.

Now that it's all over, the stress of getting accounts closed has passed, perhaps start thinking of what that stress does to your body and more specifically, your heart. With the impact of winter reducing our exercise and increasing our comfort eating, it's a recipe for something more serious that we often don't want to talk about. But we should - heart disease.

For those that know me well, you know I like my exercise and am pretty disciplined at regular runs and swims. But you would also know I like a drink or two and a good time with friends.

All was going well with my personal fitness until I turned 50 when my weight increased and training became a bit harder. At times, during exercise, my heart rate spiked to over 200 and I was a bit concerned. But like most guys, I just ignored it and got on with work. I'm busy and surely I'm fine...

Fortunately, that's when Dejan, an old colleague of mine, got a new gig as CEO of Australian Cardiovascular Specialists (ACS) and let me come in for a full heart evaluation and report to see if my ticker was 100% ok.

Picking up a new client is always interesting as I get to learn about new things and play with tech toys. This time it was an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart to show blood flow, taking pictures as it goes to find heart disease and other heart conditions, and a treadmill, which is not quite as exciting.

The process starts with your shirt off (not so good) and about 20 electrodes put all over your upper body (shaving optional). Then a nice lady uses an ultrasound-like device to look at your heart. For those unfamiliar with this equipment, imagine you are having a baby. It looks just the same and judging from how well my dad joke went down, lots of people think similarly.

It was pretty cool seeing my heart pump and being measured in every which way possible. You kind of forget it's in there working hard to keep you alive!

Then the real test starts as you get on the dreaded treadmill. They get you to walk first, teasing you that it's easy, then increase the incline and speed until you are jogging. With your electrodes still, on they run you until you are out of breath on purpose to push your heart to your max. But in a safe way of course.

The hardest part is that after you are out of breath, you get back on the table for more ultrasound work to see how your heart coped with the push and they ask you to hold your breath, not easy to do!

The final part is an interview with a cardiologist to go through your results and talk about your lifestyle, risk factors and provide advice on the next steps. Before your appointment, they ask you to do a blood test so they review that with you also, so there is no use trying to cover up those beer and burger nights.

So how was my heart? Lucky for me, it was quite healthy. The last three decades of regular exercise have served me well. But I did discover I have high cholesterol which I wasn't aware of and I am a bit overweight which I already knew. The mirror doesn't lie! Unfortunately, I didn't get away with my fun lifestyle after all and it motivated me to start a health kick.

If you have read this far, the bottom line is, if you are over 50, have a business and loved ones depending on you, perhaps it's time to get yourself checked. Just ask your GP for a referral or if you are in a big corporate company, make it part of your workplace benefits.

Heart disease is the biggest killer in Australia. It impacts more people than any of the cancers or neurological illnesses that attract a lot of media attention. For instance, when Shane Warne died of a suspected heart attack at 52, why didn't people band together and create an awareness day at the cricket dedicated to heart health? It seems to be the elephant in the medical room.

Most people, find out about their heart condition when they have a heart attack and for 93% of people, it's too late. But it doesn't have to be that way. Get a check and protect yourself and those you care about.

As the new financial year kicks off, make time to look after your health and get a heart check so at the end of this FY you can be confident that the stress doesn't really kill you.

Andrew

Andrew Ford

Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.

 
Cart (0)