Expanding men's health and wellbeing

A doctor, a personal trainer and a dietician walk into a bar. There's probably a joke in there somewhere, but these three blokes are more likely to be sipping a protein shake than chugging a beer, though there's space for that too.

Three local experts - GP Dr Lloyd Evans, personal trainer Chris Nayna and dietician David Bryant - have come together as The Healthspan Network Program. They've recently started working with their first group after creating a coordinated men's health and performance program designed to help them build capacity for a stronger and healthier life.

The collective goal is to help men become proactive rather than reactive by giving participants the knowledge, support and structure to make meaningful health and life changes before problems arise.

They all agree that most chronic diseases develop over decades. Equally so does good health.

As part of his larger mission, Lloyd wants to redefine men's health with his MAN Health Clinic and as part of the network.

"I'm passionate about men's health and preventative care," says Lloyd. "I think there's a stereotype and a stigma around men's health in that it's all about libido, hair loss and body image. Men's health is about so much more."

Lloyd argues you're never too young to consider how to help and support your future self and he's keen to let men know that prevention is key. Being proactive over being reactive is much more powerful.

"I don't think men are always great at that," Lloyd says. "They can tend to prioritise other things. For example, we know that one of the biggest risks to men's health is social isolation, which is on a par with low physical activity and smoking.

"Helping someone create a healthy network and community can be life changing."

So far, the network's demographic is roughly aged 35-50. Like Lloyd, Chris and David, a lot of their clients are new or young dads who want to make sure they are coping with and balancing family, health, work and their mental health.

Some of them have also been men who have had a health scare or someone close to them has experienced something like a heart attack or prostate cancer.

Two-time Paralympian David Bryant is a dietitian and sports dietitian, level 1 triathlon coach and personal trainer. As an athlete, he's had the privilege of always having an amazing support team around him to maximise his performance, physical and mental health.

"It takes a village to raise an athlete and this is the luxury that elite athletes have access to, which we want to provide in a men's health setting," says David.

"Life is all about controlling the controllables. Nutrition is one variable - if we are organised - that can truly impact our physical and mental health in a positive way, so we can tackle life's daily challenges head on."

GP Dr Lloyd Evans with his family.

By improving power, strength, mobility, endurance, body composition and lifestyle factors, Chris says men often experience more energy, confidence, resilience and capacity in the gym, at home and at work.

As a coach, the trainer says it's incredibly rewarding to see the positive flow-on effects that the wins achieved inside the gym have on other areas of participant lives.

"Health is multifaceted," says Chris. "You can't out-train a poor diet, out-supplement poor sleep or rely solely on medical interventions without addressing lifestyle factors.

"Covering all bases through evidence-based practices creates a more complete picture and gives men the best opportunity to improve both their health span and quality of life."