Today’s Guest – Andrew Johnston
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
Andrew Johnston, Master in the Art of Living, 41. I am a Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiologist
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
George Johnston–my grandfather.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
I had a great role model for aging gracefully in my grandfather. He was a professional soccer player in Scotland when he was younger, and one of my very first memories of him is juggling a ball at the age of 50 something–behind him! He even took up handball in his 70’s and became the 2nd best handball player in the nation (he lost to a guy who was 20 years younger than him in the finals). But his athletic ability was overshadowed by his smile and the perpetual laughter which escaped his lips like a kid running out the door for recess.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
My grandfather was the old man my younger self emulated. Yet I didn’t even know it–until I was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was ironic, perhaps, that I had to face death before I could appreciate life. I know it’s said that youth is wasted on the young and that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Yet it really would be great to be wisely innocent. To be aware that you aren’t fully conscious or to happily acknowledge your own ignorance. But just as you must experience cold to understand hot, or hunger to recognize satiety, I guess one must become sick before developing a palpable concept of health. That experience is the weathered guide which, while introducing me to my own allotted mortality, has given me insight into how to truly live. And regardless of any diagnosis, I am healthy enough and infinitely willing to make that journey. It’s the same decision we’re all faced with at different moments in our existence. Including Now.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
I try to teach my son as well as the others in my life by being the message, leading by example rather than trying to proselytize. Otherwise, a person can often become defensive and or feel threatened as their “programming” is being challenged. Ultimately, the change must come from within and be self motivated for it to be healthy and permanent.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
Explore your thoughts. Get in touch with your breath. Taste pure water. Enjoy clean, quality food. Embrace movement. And cherish sleep. Do these things consistently as you grow, and health will never be something you have to lose to enjoy and appreciate.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?