Health Defence CIC combatting ill health in the community
Overview
Max Wallace has, like many, had a life of many ups and downs, of loss and new beginnings, but the losses and the struggles have made him all the more aware of the importance of helping others and that in helping others he also helps himself.
In the last two years he has started a new wellbeing and fitness business and he hopes that this can help to rebuild people’s spirits and health after the pandemic.
Max understands from first hand experience the importance of physical health for mental wellbeing and confidence because it has helped him throughout his life. At 21 his daughter Sherise died of meningitis. Max, who had done amateur boxing as a teenager, took it up again and found it helped him with all the emotions he was experiencing as a result of his grief. He became a professional boxer and then coach and says helping others through boxing has also helped him both mentally and physically. In 2013 he had a stomach bug, but kept going to work despite the pain. He ended up in hospital with an exploded appendix and gangrene. The doctors said he owed his life to his fitness: his stomach muscles had contained the explosion.
His main focus, however, is on building his business, which will focus on wellbeing as well as physical fitness, including healthy eating, massage and counselling. He has plans to run youth projects, a project for men over 50 and one for people with Parkinson’s. Research, he says, shows boxing is really good for balance and memory. He is using his contacts from his previous work, including the Kiyan Prince Foundation and QPR, and says now – as we emerge from the isolation of Covid – there is more need than ever for what he is offering. “The demand is definitely there,” he says. “And there are so many mental health and long-term health issues associated with Covid, including long Covid. I jus want to help.”
Health Defence CIC wellbeing centre is now open and has these facilities;
- Boxing/kickboxing club training room, with separate treatment room and changing/showering facilities.
- A large kitchen for refreshments, healthy eating and preparation courses.
- Small centre office.
Further funds would allow the further expansion of the facility as a training centre, potentially a more sophisticated kitchen for catering training, and use of the changing facilities for training/education around football, netball or other sporting activities.
