On Sunday, August 14, Kim Atienza shared he lived an unhealthy life before realizing “enough is enough” and has now pursued healthy living.
“Oh yeah! I had a lot of bad habits,” he admitted in front of the press, including LionhearTV during his media launch as Watsons’ newest brand ambassador for Vitamin B Complex.
As a former politician, Atienza was introduced to a life that involved drinking and eating—a lot. Looking back to his former self, he described it as “terrible.”
“It’s the drinking, and the eating, non-stop. Kaya most pulitikos end up—when they first get there payat pa sila then after three years mataba na sila—because of the lifestyle.”
It is not only the drinking and eating habits that he saw as a mistake. Apart from it, Atienza during his stint in ABS-CBN confessed to being a workaholic.
The TV personality worked non-stop in those 17 years as a Kapamilya. Starting his day at 4 in the morning, he would do Umagang Kay Ganda, It’s Showtime, Matanglawin, and finally, TV Patrol.
His addiction to work has led him to suffer Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), a disorder that causes the nervous system to attack nerves. Also, Atienza had a stroke in 2010, putting a hole in his heart and making him realize something.
“Then when I was new on television, I would overwork myself. Because thinking I was young and invincible, up until I suffered from a stroke. I realized that I was not invincible,” he said.
Atienza added, “I was drunk to work that I forgot about my health. Then what happened? Stroke, and the realization.”
From those mistakes, the TV personality began advocating health and wellness.
Atienza is now part of Watsons and will be taking part in promoting cheaper medicines in the Philippines.
“It’s good to be part of a good company, good advocacy, of pushing cheaper medicines, for people who cannot afford expensive medicine.”