When Runar Soerensen turned from his sixth decade into his seventies life seems to have started passing him by. Retired from a very busy senior position in one of the UN agencies he lost interest in the world around him, became overweight, lost interest in sex and just felt that’s it!
On a visit from Nairobi to friends in Pretoria he decided a massage is just what he needed and came across the website of Bodyworks for Men. He called to make an appointment with Johan Muller, and that is how it started him working on making his life great again.
Runar was apprehensive and explained to Johan that he was obese and asked him if that was a problem. “I was delighting when Johan assured me that as a masseur, he is dedicated to help people.”
“It was a wonderful and uplifting massage. Talking about my negative feelings about life I realised that Johan was a life coach. Over a glass of cold water (that what you drink after a massage, I would have preferred a glass of wine!), I discussed my negative feelings about manhood and losing all interest and letting myself go.
I was severely depressed. Johan suggested that before going back to Nairobi I should consider a medical check-up and recommended a specialist he works with. He helped me getting an appointment. Prior to seeing the doctor, I had a few blood tests. The diagnosis was that my testosterone level was at a dangerously low level and what I already knew, that I was overweight. He explained to me that this was a common problem in men at my age and that it can and must be rectified. He prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. Almost immediately after the first injection I could not believe the effect the therapy had on me. I started feeling a new person.”
Back in Nairobi, in addition to gym, running, Runar also started dieting, namely LCHF which he had heard about while in South Africa. The LCHF diet is an umbrella term for eating plans that reduce carbs and increase fats. LCHF diets are low in carbohydrates, high in fats and moderate in protein. This method of eating is sometimes referred to as the “Banting Diet”
It worked surprisingly well, and it only took Runar only three to four months turning him back into the man he knew he was. Some of his other health problems improved to such an extent that he could reduce taking some of the prescription medication he was on.
While talking with Johan, Runar learned about the weekend retreats Johan is holding from time to time. Events aimed at men to discover more about the inner selves.
“Johan explained to me that the tension between the inner self and outer self is common in the modern world. Each of us is tugged in multiple directions every day and our actions and behaviours do not always align with our core values as a result. However, becoming aware of your inner self and how it balances with your outer self is the foundation for good mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is why attending one of the Bodywork for men guys’ residential retreat weekend is an important aspect to consider when working on achieving a good balance in your life.
I have already attended three retreat weekends and I recommend it to all men, whether young or old, whether married or single, whether heterosexual, bi-sexual, curious or gay, actually everybody who is willing to explore the greater side of life should join a retreat.
It is an uplifting experience with several activities aimed at bonding between the men at the retreat, sharing their concerns, their insecurities and inner most feelings in an environment where inhibitions are lifted and the men share their feelings openly. Exercises are often symbolic by writing down and burning the negatives and focussing on the positives. I found being amongst men with similar fears of life, helped me to focus on overcoming the fears of getting old, and taught me how much enjoyment there is when focussing on the positive.
The value of touch was rekindled and how it makes me feel secure. Throughout the weekend for each activity, we were paired by random selection with different guys. It added to what I was getting out of the experience. While we all look different bodily, we all go through the motions that often make us insecure. Just going through the undressing ceremony at the start and the nude massage exercise towards the end of the programme make one realise we are all the same, men who become better men by getting in touch with their inner self.
Johan Muller, besides giving a mean massage, is great life coach to take you on that journey to find that inner self and to become a better man for yourself and all the people you love and friends around you. Johan showed me how to keep living my life great!”
Runar