Peter Gutwein shares his journey to better health

Ever since leaving politics nearly six months ago former premier Peter Gutwein has rebalanced his life and feels the best he’s been in 30 years. He talks about how he’s turned his life around.

Ever since leaving politics nearly six months ago former premier Peter Gutwein has rebalanced his life and feels the best he’s been in 30 years.

He’s on track to be one of the fittest 57-year-olds in the state, is below 80kg for the first time since he was 20 (he’s 180cm tall), keeps track of everything he eats and has lost 8cm from his waist.

Mr Gutwein, who collapsed at work from fatigue in 2021 and had an enforced break, is adjusting to a new life with his wife and teenaged son and daughter.

“When I stood down I was in good health and satisfied that I had done the very best job that I could for the people of Tasmania, but without consciously realising it my life had gotten out of balance,” he told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“It wasn’t until I was in lockdown for seven days with my family back in late March that the realisation of just how out of balance I was hit me.

“On day five when Amanda said it was time for a celebration because this was now the longest period I’d spent together with my family in my home in nearly two years, the light came on and I knew then that I needed to seriously reprioritise my life.”

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has moved into an extensive fitness regimen after leaving politics. Seen here at a Launceston exercise park. Picture: Melanie Kate/Men's Health magazine

After 20 years, Mr Gutwein made the shock decision to walk away from politics to focus on his family, fitness and wellbeing.

“We knew my transition back into family life and being home seven nights a week instead of one or two would have some challenges and that going from 200km an hour to zero would have its moments, but in the main it’s gone beautifully.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s taken some hard work and discipline as in some cases habits formed over two decades needed to change.

“My body clock kept waking me up at 5.45am and instinctively I would reach for the phone to check the morning news and any messages received overnight.

“If I woke in the night I would still reach for my phone to check it and so to break the habit I purposefully deleted all of my news apps off my phone for the first three months.

“Just learning to sit still, have a conversation and eat dinner at the kitchen table had its moments initially – however I am now pleased to say that for the first time in 20 years I feel fully present when I am with my family.”

Mr Gutwein is buoyed by the support of many Tasmanians who still approach him most days to reassure him he made the right decision.

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has moved into an extensive fitness regimen after leaving politics. Seen here at a Launceston exercise park. Picture: Melanie Kate/Men's Health magazine

“In terms of next steps right now I am very content catching up on lost time with my family, working on Mandy’s to do list around the home (which keeps getting longer) getting even fitter and doing some intraday share trading.

“I want to keep serving others and am going to reconnect with my Rotary club and have put myself forward to volunteer at the upcoming Special Olympics in Launceston in late October.”

A champion footballer and black-belt instructor in taekwondo, the disciplined former premier and treasurer has detailed his strict exercise and diet regimen in the Australian Men’s Health magazine and says due to his daily training program he’s as fit as he was in his late 20s. “I feel fitter, stronger and healthier than I have in the last 30 years.

“It’s taken some work but I have enjoyed the challenge as I like structure and purpose in my life.” Mr Gutwein has been approached to fill board roles and be involved in consultancies but is taking his time to decide what work he does next.

“The only thing I have agreed to do so far is some public speaking both here and interstate with a focus on leadership, strategy, budget management and the opportunities presented by net zero and the transition to renewables.

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has moved into an extensive fitness regimen after leaving politics. Seen here doing chin-ups at a Launceston exercise park. Picture: Melanie Kate/Men's Health magazine

“An area I will also be discussing is the lessons I have learnt, both the good and the bad, in respect of getting the balance right when in a senior leadership role.”

Next month he will make a presentation to a TCCI lunch in Hobart and give his insights into the economy.

He’s loathe to comment on local politics, though in the magazine article he touches on Covid and international politics.

“As a former premier I don’t intend to provide a running commentary other than to say I am very pleased to see my good friend and now Premier Jeremy Rockliff taking firm positions on those matters that he feels strongly about.

“It’s important if you are a leader to know what you want, make decisions quickly and to set a direction, not everyone will agree with you but you’ll win more friends by taking decisive action than you will standing still. My only advice to anyone in public life or thinking of entering it, would be to ensure that in serving others you maintain the right balance and that you don’t lose sight of what’s really important to either yourself or those that you love.”