Chuck Gaidica: Movember, Beards and Bond
Chuck Gaidica
| 3 min read
I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing Dr. George Kipa from BCBSM on my morning TV show in Detroit. He was on the show to discuss “Movember” or “No Shave November.”
Maybe like you, I decided not to shave my facial hair this month to help raise awareness of men’s health issues. This is a cool idea that spurs needed conversations with men and women alike. I not only need to remind other men in my life to think about better health and routine exams, but I also need to reflect on my own personal health journey.
It is cliché to say that men don’t like going to the doctor. We often wait until the last minute or sometimes wait until it is too late. We often ignore our own impermanence. We dream that we will go on forever.
While I finished interviewing Dr. Kipa inside our studio, outside the studio was a 007 Aston Martin db9 car worth about $240,000 waiting for me to help promote the new James Bond movie “Spectre”. Outside I talked to people about the new Bond movie, Bond car, Bond fashions and Bond attitude.
As a lifelong James Bond movie fan, I entered one interview where men like Bond never die, always heal well and most certainly always get the girl. I just left an interview inside where I had to face facts about men’s health and deal with my own mortality and health concerns. The good doctor was great and informative. But like many guys I don’t want to focus on what could kill me unless it is a bad guy with a scar and bad European accent.
If men were honest, most of us would admit to dreaming about being a superhero or secret spy. Maybe we just want to get the girl too. But if we want to keep it real, we could actually work out more to get 007-like abs, rack up our 10,000 steps a day and start eating healthier foods.
These few things along with routine exams and screenings play a huge role in our good health. I have some new goals in my life that are not super secret. While I do hope my facial hair inspires conversations with buddies and my sons about better health, I hope to continue losing weight and eating better.
Ladies, take these better health conversations and thicker beards to heart. We need you to listen to us and care and yes, help guide us if needed.
By the way, I am trying to convince my wife that I need a beard. Most of all I need a 007 limited edition dream car to go to the market to buy healthy, fresh food. After all, what guy doesn’t want to go 0-60mph in 4.4-seconds while fetching some apples and spinach? Dream on.
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Photo credit: Chuck Gaidica (main)
Editor’s Note: Chuck Gaidica is a paid spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where he works to have real conversations with local people about matters that affect their health.
