Jason Lawrence, 28

• The marathon coach and post-graduate student won the Men's Health Singapore Urbanathlon 2010 on Jan 31. This was the first men-only 12.5km run. It required participants to tackle eight obstacles, from jumping over road barricades to scaling walls.
• The New Zealander, who has a bachelor's degree in commerce and management, has just left Singapore for Christchurch, New Zealand, where he will pursue a Master's degree in Education. He will visit every two months as his wife is based here and he intends to return to work here later.
• He was inspired to run marathons after watching his hearing-impaired father win a silver marathon medal during the 1989 World Games for the Deaf. Both his parents are deaf.
• He is married to Miki, 30, a music teacher, who is Japanese. The couple, who do not have children, lived in Tokyo for six years before moving to Singapore last year. He speaks fluent Japanese, is 1.74m tall and weighs 62kg.
• EXERCISE REGIMEN: Running twice a day, stretching and doing core exercises with an exercise ball.

What do you do to keep fit?

I run more than 160km a week, usually divided into 10 to 12 sessions.

I run every day - the last time I took a break was in April 2008 for a day as I had a slight cold. When training for marathons, I increase the intensity.

Besides my running, my wife Miki and I try to play tennis every week.

I also have an exercise ball at home for stretching and core work. I use it almost every day for about five to 10 minutes.

What is your secret to looking so fabulous?

There is no secret. I train hard and eat the food my body requires. The body is an amazing thing when you realise how it works.

You have to respect it as it is yours for life.

Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?

Yes, when I was 12. I found my first after-school job in the barber shop that my mum worked in. There was a cafe across the road that closed at 4.30pm.

I would go over to take their leftovers for the barbers and myself. But I ended up eating most of the pastries and cakes.

What is your diet like?

Fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, meat and fish. I do have a sweet tooth though.

What are your indulgences?

I drink bubble tea almost every day. I also like red bean buns, cereal bars, chocolate and fruit gums.

Do you count your calories and why?

No. Like I said, the body is an amazing thing. Learn how to read its signs and feed it well.

Do you take supplements?

I take vitamin C often and a multi-vitamin every now and then, but I try to obtain my dietary needs with real food.

I used to take iron supplements, but stopped because my body does not cope well with them.

How many hours of sleep do you survive on?

Six to seven hours a night. I wish it was eight. I try to catch up with a nap when I can.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Time management is crucial. It is also important to make time for family and friends.

After work, I sometimes meet my wife for a coffee to relax and catch up. Then I run home while she takes the train back.

We usually get home at about the same time and then start to prepare dinner together.

What do you do to relax?

Tennis is relaxing for me. I enjoy watching movies and reading.

I pick up the guitar once in a blue moon, but I can play only about four chords.

What are the three most important things in your life?

Family, friends and physical health.

Would you go for plastic surgery and why?

At the moment, no. I think I will age gracefully and accept the ageing process, but I hope I will be able to keep a decent amount of my hair. It's thinning already.

Do you think you're sexy?

Yeah, sure. Why not? Everyone must think they are sexy.

Love yourself and others will love you.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.