“Investing in one’s health is the best investment they can make.” - Fit Fun Father
The Alberta Diabetes Foundation’s mission is to raise strategic funds and awareness for innovative research for the prevention, treatment and cure of diabetes across Alberta. For more than 30 years, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation wouldn’t have done it without the continuous support from our audience. This month we would like to highlight the tremendous support of a fit fun father, Michael Sobkiw.
Michael Sobkiw, 42 is a personal trainer, newly certified nutrition coach, and Fit Fun Father podcasthost. Fit Fun Father podcast is a platform where Sobkiw shares his journey from overcoming an unhealthy physical state to a fit fun father lifestyle that revolves around maintaining a healthy mindset and physical health. It is an outlet through which he can educate others about the importance of physical fitness, which includes topics such as exercise, nutrition, helping parents get in shape, healthy life choices, and more.
Couple of years ago, Sobkiw suffered from being overweight and found himself engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle post-separation from his ex-wife. He struggled with understanding the causes of being unhealthy and what impact it was having on his life. For example, not being able to move properly, having ailments, feeling lethargic throughout the day, experiencing joint problems, and acid reflux are some of the health issues he struggled to pull through.
Soon Sobkiw realized that he had to change his lifestyle to help himself feel better and be better as an individual. Setting out on this journey for himself inspired him to translate his experiences into learnings for others to highlight the importance of health, nutrition and exercise.
In hopes to translate the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Sobkiw is hosting a bike-a-thon on Aug. 29, 2020, in support of raising awareness and funds for the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
Many years ago, Sobkiw’s father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He grew up looking at the precautions and complications his father dealt with regularly. Building on the fundamental knowledge of diet, nutrition, and exercise that he learned from his father helped Sobkiw turn his life around. And, he aims to help others do the same.
In an interview with the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Sobkiw shared that he understands how prevalent Type 2 diabetes is nowadays, particularly. Though a point to consider is that it is a disease that can be prevented with proactiveness. Sobkiw mentioned that he may not have diabetes, but he was probably near the pre-diabetes stage as he recalled his unhealthy lifestyle. And, an activity such as cycling up the hill was nearly an impossible task for him. Though over time the love of cycling, helping others, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle has grown for him. Therefore, with this bike-a-thon, Sobkiw aims to bring the community together, remind them to enjoy themselves and get the benefits of cycling, all while raising awareness about the significance of physical fitness in a fun manner.
As a personal trainer and certified nutrition coach, Sobkiw shares that “people are caught up in the world where they think exercise is difficult.” Though it is not. One can engage in a physical activity they enjoy and have fun doing it. He adds, “the goal of the bike-a-thon is to inspire at least one person who can come out to cycle with a mindset that ‘Micheal I see what you are doing, and I want to join you.’”
Registration for the Bike-A-Thon is open now! We hope to receive your support. See you on Aug. 29, 2020!
