Body Talk with Michael Christian Martinez

If there’s a will, there’s a way.

Did you know that being asthmatic didn’t stop Michael Christian Martinez from becoming an Olympic skater?

Asthma is what Michael has in common with other celebrities including Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda who are behind the GSK search for Winners Against Asthma 2015 launched early last month to choose and recognize 10 young asthmatic achievers from different walks of life.

The advocacy likewise introduces Michael as the new face of the campaign. He began experiencing asthmatic bronchitis when he was just two months old.

“I was frequently brought to the hospital,” confessed Michael who was one of PeopleAsia’s 10 Men Who Matter winners last year. “The cold rink actually helped improve my health. Year after year, my health kept improving, so my mother fully supported me to continue skating. She told me, ‘It’s better to spend the money on skating than in the hospital.’”

The program is a nationwide search for young asthmatic achievers aged 30 years and younger who are outstanding in their respective fields despite having asthma and inspire asthma sufferers that they, too, can win against asthma.

The rationale for the target age group is driven by the fact that asthma is one of the most important chronic diseases during childhood causing substantial morbidity. Uncontrolled asthma is associated with a reduced lung function, impaired performance in physical exercise, and impaired quality of life. More severe asthma leads to more frequent school absenteeism which may negatively affect an individual’s level of education and, possibly, choice of career. People within this age group are in the process of developing the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve their goals in life and asthma should not deter them from realizing their full potential. Thus it is necessary at this early stage to raise their awareness on asthma and how they can win against it.

The Search for Winners Against Asthma, effective until May, will be touring different schools and drugstore outlets to spread the advocacy and invite more people to join the campaign. Deadline for submission of entries is on March 31. All entries will be screened during the first week of April. On May 5, World Asthma Day, the Top 20 finalists will be announced, to be immediately followed by online voting. The Top 10 winners will be announced and awarded third week of May.

The advocacy campaign is supported by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (PSAAI), Huawei and Folded & Hung.

Meanwhile, let’s see how Michael takes care of his health.

How would you describe a typical workday in your life?

“I usually skate six hours a day, plus one hour of off-ice training. I wake up at 5:30 a.m. since my first skating session starts at 7. I skate in three different ice rinks, because my coaches are in different rinks. I rest between sessions and, considering the travel times , I finish my training at around 5 p.m. every day. I train six times a week.”

What is keeping you busy nowadays?

“I am competing in the World Championship in Shanghai on March 23 to 29. I am now training in Anaheim, California. I have competitions every month, so my training is continuous. I was supposed to compete in Korea two weeks ago for the Four Continent Championship but I injured my ankle and hip, so I was forced to withdraw from the competition. My last competition for this season will be in April in Slovenia for the Triglav Troply. I competed last year also in Slovenia where I won the Gold medal. I hope to repeat that this year.”

When are you coming home?

“I will be back in May for a short vacation, then will return to USA to continue training again.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? What is your favorite food?

“I regularly eat rice, meat and vegetables and fruits. For breakfast, rice, eggs, meat, fruits and milk. For lunch and dinner, fish or meat, fruits, vegetables and juice. I love Korean BBQ.”

What food do you always crave for, what food do you avoid?

“I also love sinigang, either pork or shrimp. Whenever I feel my asthma coming, I don’t eat chicken, fish and eggs as per doctor’s advice. They might worsen the attack. Also, I don’t eat banana when I’m sick with asthma since it makes my phlegm thicker.”

Any snacks between meals?

“I eat either peanuts and bread or burger sandwich and drink chocolate milk for recovery after practice so that I can regain the calories and energy that I lost in practice. I also eat fruits.”

How much water do you take per day (soda, coffee, tea or energy drinks)?

“At least eight glasses total of water, chocolate milk and juice.”

GSK general manager Francis del Val (second from left) with Kim Chiu (fourth from left, also asthmatic like Michael Christian) and, from left, GSK people Janis Pincaro, Dr. Nep Ordoñez, Dr. Carmela Kasala, Dr. Bella Siasoco, Dr. Badette Arcilla, Joanne Seno and Maya Leander

What vitamins do you take?

“As of now, I take only vitamins C. I get nutrients more from the food I eat than from supplements.”

What workout do you do?

“My gym coach works on my whole body, focusing more on core strength and upper body for my jumps.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“I need to improve my core strength, so that it’s easier to land the quadruple jumps.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My hips, ankle and knees. I have to jump high to be able to complete the 3 and 3 1/2 revolutions on each of my jumps. And since we have to land the jumps on one foot, on a very thin skating blade, I often fall, so I injure my hip and back. The constant pounding and jumping, and landing and falling hurt my knees and ankle.”

What attracts you first in a girl?

“Pretty face and long hair. I admire a kind-hearted lady.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Normally, eight hours. But on Sundays which is my rest day, I get 10 to 12 hours.”

Do you snore??

“Only when I’m really tired.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“No.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Listen to music and pray.”

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

“Take a shower.”

How do you unwind, cope with stress?

“By watching movies, shopping, malling, strolling at a theme park, dining out, taking photos, and playing computer games.”

What other sport do you play?

“I used to cross-train in gymnastics when I was younger. But now it’s just figure skating.”

Favorite city?

“Tokyo. There are many things I like about Tokyo --- the food, a lot of electronic stores, lots of shopping places, high-standard of service, easy to go around by train and a safe place to tour.”

Favorite hideaway?

“I go to the park, sit quietly and relax or listen to music or take some photos.”

How long does it take you to fix yourself???

“Thirty minutes from waking up until I leave the house.”

What do you pray for?

“First, I thank God for all the blessings and to always keep my family safe, and myself to be kept away from injuries. I also ask for forgiveness for all the wrong things that I’ve done.”

Who are your inspiration in life?

“My family. If not for my mother, I would have not made it to the Olympics. I’ve been to two Olympics, first the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics and then the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Our mom is a hero to us because even if she’s a single parent, she manages to bring up three kids. My siblings inspire me, too. My brother and sister are very supportive.”

What was the biggest challenge that you faced?

“Being sickly as a child was very difficult. It became more challenging when I started to become a competitive skater because I had difficulties during intense training because of my asthma.”

What is your message to young people who have asthma?

 “Work with an asthma specialist to create an effective treatment and management plan for your asthma. If you think the plan is not working, talk to the doctor about possibly changing the medications to keep your asthma under control.?Asthmatics can also live a normal life for as long as they keep their asthma under control. They can be physically active. As my doctor said, ‘Begin with understanding your individual asthma condition, know what triggers it, and check whether it is exercise-induced or not, or if it is caused by allergens.’”??

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