John Bowman, broadcaster, historian and author of the recently published Window and Mirror: RTÉ Television: 1961-2011
Do you have a healthy lifestyle?
My wife Eimer tells me there is considerable room for improvement, but I think that’s a bit harsh. If I’m tested – a week’s intense skiing is a pretty tough test – I feel no aches or pains, so I believe I’m reasonably fit. And I can work very long hours without much fatigue: on my latest book I worked a 14-hour day.
How often do you exercise?
It’s a bit haphazard. I try to build walking into my work routine. I prefer to use that for exercise rather than just walk around the park.
Do you get your five a day?
Yes. Probably 10. I like fruit and also those high-quality smoothies based on exotic fruits which one would never get around to sourcing oneself.
Do you worry?
I think this is a very subjective question. I don’t think I do, but others close to me tell me that the answer is “too much”, given how lucky I am to be always tackling challenges which I find engaging, useful and rewarding.
What do you do to relax?
Listening to music, or browsing in any library, randomly taking down a book which is not in my subject area and seeing whether the author catches my attention. I also enjoy sport on television – especially rugby – and I am impressed by the quality of the presentation with analysis and action replays.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
Taking the third, sometimes fourth, glass of wine some nights. I do drink two glasses every night. We eat late – very late compared with most people – at about 10.30 every night. Eimer and I both write in the evening and we would then eat, possibly watch television. As I like to taste and compare different wines, I’m sure my enthusiasm sometimes takes me a bit further than I should go. But the only alcohol I drink is wine, 90 per cent of that after 10 at night and usually with food, so my conscience is clear.
