Making Noise in Thunder Bay
For some Team Diabetes team members, there is a moment in their lives when something happens, something that leads them to take a new direction. For Brent, that moment occurred in 2009 when he was injured in a motorcycle accident and was told by his doctor that he needed to improve the circulation in his foot. Brent figured this was as good of time as any to get healthy, change his party lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits.
Brent wasted no time and literally hit the ground running, registering with Team Diabetes for Honolulu 2009 and then again in 2010. Having never run a race of any length, Brent’s commitment and determination are commendable! Having completed two Team Diabetes events in Hawaii, Brent then ran in Rome in 2011 and, most recently, in Reykjavik in August 2012. Next up on Brent’s schedule is Edinburgh in May 2013 which will be Team Diabetes first visit to Scotland!
As part of Brent’s personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle, he plans to run one race per year for at least 10 years! There is no doubt Brent is committed to an active lifestyle. Since he first signed up with Team Diabetes in 2009, he has participated in 5 Ironmans, 5 triathlons, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, swam with sharks, ran with the bulls in Spain and completed 2 marathons in Toronto. He’s not just a runner, he’s an adventurer!
To us, Brent is a diabetes champion and teammate but to his friends he is a “marathon man”. Brent’s friends and family now turn to the self-proclaimed “health nut” for advice on training, running, biking and nutrition. His passion is contagious and has inspired others to start exercising. Brent has seen some amazing things over the past few years but there is one thing Brent is still waiting to see - a cure.
When asked what a cure would mean to him, he responded: “I’ve watched people in my life live with diabetes and it’s a lot harder than running any marathon I’ve ever done. I train and I run for hours at a time, but diabetes is something people endure for a lifetime. I live in a community where diabetes is a huge issue for a high percentage of the population and I see how it affects their lives. The places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met by participating in the marathons have been really amazing and if these events were to result in a cure, that would be better than any finish line I’ve ever reached!”
As a radio host, Brent has been able to use his public profile to get local businesses to support his fundraising efforts and to help increase awareness about the team, the Canadian Diabetes Association and diabetes in general. Since that pivotal moment in his life to make a change for the better, he has never looked back!
Find out how you can join Brent in Edinburgh by contacting a staff member directly for more information. Registration for this incredible event closed November 23rd but we can accept late registrations!
Connect with us on facebook, attend Team Diabetes celebration and information nights and call in for the free webinars to learn more and connect with team members.
Check out team photos from our past events!
For more information on how you too can make an impact with Team Diabetes in events across Canada and around the world, please visit our website at www.teamdiabetes.ca.
