Fitbit Ambassador Drew Harrisberg

Scrolling through Drew Harrisberg’s Instagram feed  you quickly learn that he is a very fit guy, who lives in Bondi and loves the beach, working out, and spending time with his pet Staffy, Dennis. And you don’t have to delve very deep to find out that not only is Drew living with type 1 diabetes, but he is passionate about empowering others to manage their health through their lifestyle choices and exercise. Here, our newest Fitbit Ambassador shares a bit more about himself, in his own words.

How did you get into health and wellness?

I’ve always considered myself to be a “healthy” person, but it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 23 that I began to understand the true meaning of the word. Ever since I was a kid I’ve been intrigued with the human body, and have had a keen interest in science and nutrition. My love for all of those topics is what sent me on the path to becoming a qualified health professional.

Since being diagnosed with diabetes, the last five years have been one big self-experiment, and the cool thing is—I’ve been the subject and the lead scientist. I’ve made countless mistakes and discovered just as many solutions. Perhaps the greatest discovery of all is that a healthy lifestyle is not only an effective way for me to manage my condition, but it also allows me to thrive with my condition.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My typical day involves getting a dose of each of the pillars that I attribute to my health and fitness: Exercise, Nutrition, Insulin & Blood Sugar Control, Daily Living, and Mindfulness.

I wake up with the sun and immediately go outside to spend time with nature. Most days this includes a swim in the ocean and a walk in the park with my dog. Walking and other forms of physical activity have proven to be an amazing way for me to manage my blood sugar levels, so I always make time for it.

In terms of nutrition, I eat real, whole foods, organic when possible. And when it comes to diabetes management, I check my blood sugar levels approximately 15 times each day and administer insulin accordingly. It’s important to note this really isn’t a burden—it only takes a couple of minutes.

I also make time for research, reading, and writing to ensure I stay progressive with my knowledge. As a health consultant, I also meet my clients face-to-face to discuss their health and progress.

Finally, I always remember to play; be it with my dog, surfing, or playing an instrument.

How do you find your fit?

I find my fit in a variety of different ways. I lift weights in the gym at least four or five days a week, or if the weather is nice I’ll train outdoors using my body weight. In the summertime, I’ll do triathlon-style training—run, ride, swim.

Other times I find my fit it in the form of play. I love sport and activities, such as touch football, tennis, golf, rugby, surfing, and kickboxing.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of the way that I have turned adversity into opportunity. Getting diagnosed with a chronic disease has the potential to either derail you or rebuild you into an even better version of yourself—and I chose the latter. The first year or so was tough, there’s no denying that, but I’m proud of the way I’ve adapted and grown. I didn’t choose to get diabetes, but I chose to take responsibility for how I reacted—I guess you can say it’s in my blood (pun intended!).

I also take pride in the fact that I’m not only managing my disease but also sharing my knowledge to educate thousands of people around the world and hopefully empower them to take control of their health so they can thrive, too!

Why do you love Fitbit?

Fitbit is more than just a brand that offers fitness trackers, it promotes positive habits to help people understand their own health trends, keeping them motivated to improve their overall well-being.

Fitbit allows me to collect and interpret health data, which I love! It’s amazing how much motivation I get by simply wearing a Fitbit tracker on my wrist—I’m held accountable and responsible for my activity levels. For me personally, active days are correlated with better diabetes management.

What’s your best piece of health and fitness advice?

There are no secret exercises, supplements, programs, workouts, tips or tricks. It’s a lifestyle. It’s about getting the optimal dose of each aspect of health and fitness every single day!

In order to do so, you really need to define your “why.” What is your motivation for making healthy lifestyle choices? For me, it’s about managing my disease and preventing long-term health complications. Your motivation may be to live a long healthy life so that you can be there for your child’s wedding or watch your grandchildren grow up. Whatever it is, discover your “why” and the entire process will become easier than ever before.

Drew Harrisberg

Drew Harrisberg is a passionate sports scientist and diabetes educator who grew up with a fascination for all health-related topics. Following his diagnosis with type 1 diabetes at 23 years of age, Drew became inspired to educate others living with the condition on how to manage it and keep motivated to improve their overall health.

An exercise physiologist, diabetes educator and sports scientist, Drew has come on board as Fitbit’s new ambassador in Australia and is committed to helping people improve their health holistically, by providing tips on sleep, nutrition, and exercise.