Matt Cooper, journalist, broadcaster and Blue September patron

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes, I exercise regularly. I drink very little now and I eat reasonably well. Overall, I look after myself.

How often do you exercise?

I exercise a lot. It’s really been in the past year that I’ve gotten into it. I go to the gym twice a week and I would run three to four times a week on top of that. I just realised I was heading towards my mid-40s, carrying too much weight and was tired far too often. I saw some friends who were starting to look after themselves and that motivated me. Any days that I don’t do something I miss it. As you get older, you become aware of your responsibility to yourself and to your family to be around to look after your kids. That’s why I’m involved in Blue September. Men often aren’t great at looking after ourselves. We’re more interested in looking after others, but to look after others, you must look after yourself.

Do you get your five a day?

Yes, close to it. I try to get a fruit smoothie every day and I’ll have vegetables with a meal. It’s porridge every single morning for breakfast.

Do you worry?

I don’t worry excessively or about things that I can’t control. I’d worry about the family, that they are okay. I’d worry about doing my own thing correctly. I suppose if you don’t have some degree of worry about things, that can be every bit as dangerous.

What do you do to relax?

Exercise is my main form of relaxation; you’re much better off exercising than sitting on the sofa. I love going to matches and watching events on television and I like watching my kids involved in sport at the weekend. I like reading and the movies too.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

If I could only knock chocolate out of my diet I’d probably drop a stone. I’m addicted to chocolate.

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In conversation with JOANNE HUNT