For Dunedin’s Kieran Fowler, physical activity has helped improve his mental health and he encourages anyone else who might be struggling to try it.
Kieran, who has the distinction of holding a New Zealand record for gumboot throwing (55m) and is a former world champion in the sport, has overcome depression.
His wife Julia said she was very proud of his journey and the personal development he has achieved battling the disease.
Kieran, who grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Mid Canterbury, has represented New Zealand in athletics at two world championships (Morocco in 2006 and Beijing in 2008), and also played rugby for Otago B and Otago Colts.
His first job was with CRT (now Farmlands) in the grain and seed store, packing seed orders. Being a country boy, he worked his way through to being on the road as a technical field officer.
"It’s pretty easy talking farming, I’ve done it my whole life. You may as well get paid to do it," he laughed.
Enjoying the agronomy side of farming, he joined French firm De Sangosse in 2020 as lower South Island territory manager and last year became sales manager for Australia and New Zealand.
He still plays some "old man’s rugby" for Kaikorai and is still an open-grade discus thrower, ranked second in the country.
The new season will be his last as he concentrates on coaching athletes, several of whom have represented New Zealand.
Gumboot throwing — something he came across at a show and was egged on to give it a crack — was on the back-burner, although he had given a demonstration at his children’s school on Gumboot Friday.
He is involved in his three children’s activities — "I don’t coach their rugby because there would be too many arguments" — including coaching his elder two at athletics.
Kieran was grateful to have found what worked for him to help his mental health — "I’m not a talker, you’d never get me to go to therapy" — and he urged others, particularly young shepherds who often lived remotely, to find some sort of activity that suited them.
"It doesn’t have to be rugby. Go play bowls. You’ve got to do something," he said.
Julia described her husband as a hard worker.
"He always manages to make time for our children despite having to travel a lot for his job which can be very lonely at times. I am so proud of Kieran and how far he has come in his professional career."
