Upon speaking, you find that you share similar beliefs, personal drive and commitment to your work. 

This perfectly describes my first meeting with Peter Strange from the Men’s Health Clinic at Bendigo Community Health Services. We got talking about our ideas on a healthy lifestyle and found that we believe in the same principles – no fad diets, just simple healthy eating and exercise. 

As such, we’ve decided to embark on a collaborative journey between the Men’s Health Clinic and Shape Health and Fitness, to bring a group of Bendigo men together for my next 12-week challenge.

Peter’s intention is to highlight men’s health in the community, and to promote Men’s Health week, which is in September each year. 

So he set about finding some willing participants for the challenge. 

And what better way to bring improved health and lifestyle to the public eye than to enlist the City of Greater Bendigo’s CEO, Craig Niemann, along with ABC’s Jonathan Ridnell, and the very man who will oversee this article, Bendigo Advertiser editor Rod Case. 

So it seems the challenge, which that made its debut in the Bendigo Advertiser about two years ago, will be gracing the pages again featuring its captain along with other leaders of business and community. 

I congratulate Craig, Jonathan and Rod for committing to the challenge on this personal level.

And as the leader of Shape Health and Fitness, I’m thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity to showcase the program that I believe in so passionately!

Craig, Rod and Jonathan are not alone in this journey; Bendigo Community Health Services has also sponsored three other men from the Bendigo community to take the challenge, beginning this month.

The 12-week challenge will take the participants through healthy eating and exercise, while the Men’s Health Clinic will complete health checks to monitor improvement in health, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure and so on.

It will make for an interesting journey that I will be sure to share with you. If you want to hear it straight from the one of challengers, Jonathan Ridnell will write a regular blog about his experience as the weeks roll by. 

If you or any of the important men in your life would like to check up on your health, contact Bendigo Community Health Services' Men’s Health Clinic on 5448 1600.

Amy Holmes is the owner of Shape Health and Fitness. Her blog is at www.shapehealthandfitness.com.au