Rugby player Chris Everingham wants fitter, healthier Pinoys

We met Filipino-Australian rugby player Chris Everingham inside the kitchen of a high-end restaurant, but we know the six-burner stove wasn’t the thing that caused us to feel the heat that day. The guy is hot—as hot as a Volcano!

Chris, who is indeed a member of the Philippine national rugby union team the Volcanoes, is not only a professional athlete but also a health and wellness advocate.

He has a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle in Australia and also studied Personal and Group Fitness Coaching at Hunter TAFE.

Now, he conducts four types of seminars on health and wellness for different companies in the Philippines, including BPO firms:

• “Peak Performance” - in which he shares the four pillars that help athletes become top performers. He says these same pillars can be used in the workplace setting to achieve management and leadership excellence;
• “Stomp on Stress” - which teaches techniques to help workers cope with stress.
• “Maximize Your Metabolism” - where Everingham shares tips on breaking unhealthy habits and being more conscious of exercise and nutrition; and
• “Team Talk” - in which he teaches workplace strategies to help teams excel by cultivating unity and respect.

At a recent Australian Embassy event promoting Australian oranges, Everingham revealed his love for the fruit, saying he eats as many as six oranges a day.

He also believes in a well-balanced diet with the appropriate amount of carbs, proteins, and other nutrients.

“I advocate balance, moderation, and variety,” Everingham told GMA News Online.

At the event, Australian chef Wade Watson of Bondi and Bourke prepared Everingham's favorite salad: grilled chicken, arugula, tomatoes, onions, oranges, cucumber, and chives.

“If you can go for as much different foods as possible, if you can go for something different every meal, you will get all your nutrients and you will be healthier,” Everingham said.

“If you just stick to the same foods, that’s not going to be sustainable in the long term and you’re going to miss out on nutrients that are essential in your diet,” he added.

Everingham also said that he believes every person "deserves to be healthy." And on his website, he declares, “Let’s make the Philippines fitter!”

Looking at Chris, with his fit frame, solid moves, and healthy aura, he certainly not only talks the talk but walks the walk. We hope that he will indeed inspire Filipinos to become fitter and healthier. — BM, GMA News