ARE YOU A POSITIVE PERSON OR A WORRIER?
I’m a worrier. It comes from my mother: she was a worrier, too. With the death of my mother, Marie, from cancer and my Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately dying, then my marriage breakdown, I’ve had a lot to cope with. But I’m learning to be happy and focus on what’s important.
HOW DID YOUR MOTHER’S DEATH AFFECT YOU?
I got back to the hospital minutes after she’d died. I was devastated. Mum had found a lump four years previously, but she lived in fear of going to the doctor and didn’t want to take off her bra to be checked. If she’d taken action, she’d still probably be alive today. I set up the Marie Keating Foundation to educate people and provide free mobile health units.
DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH?
I take a multivitamin and fish oils — omega 3, 6 and 9 — though I don’t take them religiously every day. I’d rather get my vitamins from food. I’ll always have veg with my lunch, and eat well even when I’m on the road.
BIGGEST VICE?
A good steak with a glass of good refreshment. Perfect!
HOW ABOUT EXERCISE?
I’m pretty fit. I try to train every other day, whether it’s going for a run or the gym. Running is easy to do wherever you are and it’s great for clearing your head. I’m also a keen golfer with a 14 handicap. If I was playing more consistently I could get it down.
WORST ILLNESS?
I had severe bronchitis when I was 13. I had a hacking cough, sore throat, the chills and really sore sinuses. I was off school for weeks and spent that time lying on a sofa under a quilt as I was told to rest up, get plenty of fluids and take paracetemol. It was several months before I felt better again.
HOW’S YOUR PAIN THRESHOLD?
Pretty good. I’ve been through a lot of crazy situations raising money for charity. I’ve walked across Ireland twice. I got the worst shin splints — pain in the front lower legs. It was so sore it brought tears to my eyes. Last year, I was part of a Cancer Research UK charity swim across the Irish Sea and that pushed me.
BIGGEST PHOBIA?
Snakes — I have a real issue with them.
SLEEP WELL?
In THE past three years my sleep pattern has been messed up by stress. I look forward to a time when I have less stress in my life. I’m not good at going to bed at a sensible time. I usually fall asleep after watching TV and I’ll average six hours sleep a night.
LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER?
Yes, as long as the people I love could do it with me, otherwise I think it would be very lonely.
— Daily Mail
Ronan Keating’s new album, Fires, is out now. For more information about the Marie Keating Foundation, log on to mariekeating.ie
