Epitomy of health- Berwick resident Dominique Requin, who competed in the Men’s Health Man challenge in Sydney recently, prepares for a photo shoot for the Australia Men’s Health Magazine. Pictures co

By Lia Bichel
DOMINIQUE Requin has simple secrets to keeping his mind and body in peak condition.
The Berwick resident trains every morning at 5am, has a healthy, well-balanced diet and spends quality time with his children by coaching their sporting teams or playing outside any chance he gets.
Australia Men’s Health Magazine this week named Mr Requin, 35, as one of six finalists in the 2011 Men’s Health Man of the Year competition, which aims to identify men who best exemplify the magazine’s ethos of striving to be the best they can be in all aspects of life: work, relationships, fitness, health and presentation.
As part of the competition, he recently travelled to Sydney to participate in a number of challenges including driving, cooking, grooming, fitness- designed to test their versatility and composure under pressure.
“I read Men’s Health Magazine to keep in touch with the industry and get advice on fitness,” he said.
“I have always been interested in keeping healthy and fit and was involved in a lot of sports growing up. But after having three children, I couldn’t commit as much time to sports or working out in a commercial gym, so I had to start training at home before work.”
Mr Requin, who works as a manager of Service Delivery within an IT services company, said he lifts weights, runs in the park, and stays active while coaching a basketball team at the Dandenong Stadium.
He also takes his three children, aged 11, 9 and 3, to play outdoors on the weekend, whether it be running around or shooting a basketball.
“I grew up in a healthy environment and I want to try and lead by example for my children,” he said.
“It’s a lifestyle choice which is a habit for me now, and I want my children to be healthy, too.”
Men’s Health editor Ian Cockerill said the six finalists have each displayed an impressive dedication to their health, fitness, families, mates and careers.
“At the same time, they’ve proved themselves to be good blokes,” Mr Cockerill said.
Residents are encouraged to pick up the magazine and vote for Dominique or find out more by visiting the magazines Facebook page.The public can voting online at www.menshealthman.com.au. Voting closes on May 26. The 2011 Men’s Health Man winner will be announced at a gala event in Sydney on June 8. The winner’s prize package includes a money-can’t-buy opportunity to feature on the cover of the Men’s Health’s July magazine.