Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 112, November 2018 | Page 16

ADVERTORIAL
Diamond
Vitality status?
“Anybody can do
it!” says Debby.
Here’s her story
Lacing up: Debby
readies herself for
a regular bi-weekly
training run
Back in the late 1970s, when there were nowhere near as many
gyms in SA, Debby Walker joined one of the first health clubs in
the country. Since then she’s exercised regularly, which
helped her attain Diamond Vitality status a number of years ago.
D
ebby, who turns 60 in December, is so
committed to wellness that she once gave
her husband an unusual ultimatum. “Eight
years ago when we married, we were on separate
medical aids. We wanted to consolidate our
finances, and as I’ve exercised all my life and he is
quite sedentary, I said to him ‘I have a Discovery
Health policy and am on Diamond Vitality status, so
you’re welcome to join my policy, but you will have
to maintain Diamond status – otherwise, we keep
our medical aids separate!’”
Happily, her good example got her new hubby
a little more active each day, starting with their
local parkrun in Lonehill, Johannesburg. “It was
something that he, as a non-sporty person, could
do. He initially got involved in the volunteering, but
now he’s done over 120 parkruns himself, and we
run once or twice during the week as well. That
would never have happened without parkrun.”
Going Beyond Limits
Even Debby, who’s no stranger to sports, has found
new ways to stretch her limits. “About 10 years ago
I started Pilates, and I am now far more supple than
when I was younger, despite having been active all
my life. It’s incredible what your body is capable
of!” Noting her passion, her instructor suggested
she do a course in teaching Pilates. “So I got a few
girlfriends together and qualified. Then I thought to
myself, I love Pilates, but the ladies I teach want to
lose weight, build strength and get fitter, so I started
introducing other exercises.”
Debby now runs a mixed exercise class twice a
week at the Lonehill Village Church, and visits
her local Planet Fitness on other days, runs some
mornings and has engaged a personal trainer as
an early birthday present to herself. She’s also
excited about the recent updates to Vitality Active
Rewards. “Being naturally competitive, I don’t
want to lose to myself. That’s what motivates me
to hit my goal each week. The reward is separate
– getting the points is what does it for me!” says
Debby.
“So before, I’d been dishing out coffees to
family members and donating to charity
through MoveToGive, but recently I collected
two breakfasts! The new Vitality Active Rewards
platform is so much more rewarding for me
because there’s now a lot more choice in rewards.
I can save up my points and get hundreds off
online shopping. I also like picking a tile – and if
you get your goals consistently, the chances of
you winning much bigger prizes over a year are
reasonably high.”
Discovering the Benefits
Debby also has household and vehicle cover with
Discovery Insure. “I’m a bookkeeper, so I’m quite
analytical with finances. When I wanted to take out
car insurance, for example, although I was getting
cheaper quotes, they didn’t include Discovery’s
tracking device. At that time, with a 19-year-old
son driving about Fourways, I realised the value
for me personally. We’ve since had two claims
because my son and husband were in accidents
– both cars were on my policy, and we were paid
out very fairly.” Even better, as an above-average
driver with a Vitality Drive Card, Debby gets huge
rewards. “I’ve been getting 50% off my petrol every
month, for years.”
Back in 2005, Debby’s broker pointed out that
she could be getting much more of her Discovery
Life premiums back. “I thought, I’m doing 90% of
the requirements anyhow, so it’s just a case of
monitoring that you do things in time. It wasn’t
as complicated as I thought – I soon reached
Gold Vitality status, and two years later, Diamond
status. I believe that anybody can do it – you
just need to understand it. I’ve helped friends to
reach Gold just by showing them what they’re
getting points for, and what they’re missing
out on. Obviously, you have to exercise and
apply yourself, but there were little things they
weren’t doing. I’m not a fundi, but I do try and
keep my eye on the newsletters to get an overall
understanding of the package.”
“Last year, I got a statement from Discovery
showing how much I’d saved with all my product
integration, and I was quite amazed. From my
retirement annuity to Miles Multiplier, it all adds
up, and once you’re on Diamond, it’d be foolish
to let that slip. We fly locally three or four times a
year and get large discounts on kulula.com, and
once we got 25% off an inclusive holiday package to
Mauritius. So I’m a bit of a Discovery fan. If you work
at it, the benefits are just great!”
The Vitality Open. Anyone
can join. Everyone wins
Download the Discovery app and join the Vitality Open to get rewarded for getting active and driving well.
Achieve your goals to earn great rewards, PLUS if you reveal a diamond, you will go into a draw to win prizes…
for life! Flights, fuel, gym, movies, concert tickets, smoothies, coffees, tyres, Uber, Nando’s, running shoes,
HealthyFood and the latest iPhone… for LIFE.
Get active. Drive well. Get rewarded.
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ISSUE 112 NOVEMBER 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za