If you have ever wondered how former soccer star and insurance company AIA global ambassador David Beckham has been coping with staying indoors with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic, the answer may surprise you.
Upon questioned on what he does to stay healthy in a recent email interview with The Jakarta Post, the very first things Beckham mentioned were the family activities with his wife, former singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, and their children, 9-year-old Harper, 15-year-old Cruz and 17-year-old Romeo.
The primary ingredient of a healthy lifestyle amid the COVID-19 quarantine, according to Beckham, is going for regular nature walks together to get some fresh air.
“We’re very lucky that we’ve been able to spend lockdown together as a family at our home, which is in the countryside. And the weather here in the United Kingdom has been amazing. We made sure that we got out each day for fresh air and it was lovely walking the dogs together and just hanging out as a family,” Beckham said.
He added that he liked to be busy, so he got into some new hobbies.
“My latest one is beekeeping! I built the hive from a kit I bought online and then had my first delivery of bees about a month ago. I can’t wait till I can have my own honey on toast!” he explained.
Speaking of toast, Beckham added that he recently discovered that baking brought him great joy.
He explained that he and Victoria also tried their best to keep their children cheerful during these trying times.
“Like everyone else, we’ve been juggling home-schooling with more fun stuff to keep the kids entertained. We’ve also tried to keep to regular routine, which has helped us feel more normal in these strange times. Keeping the kids happy and safe was the most important thing and actually, we wanted them to look back on this time with lots of happy memories,” he said.
“So, having a routine, schooling, mealtimes together, cooking and generally chilling has been really enjoyable. We’ve had movie nights and Lego projects. Harper and I have also enjoyed painting together.”
The former soccer start also started to invent new games with his children during the stay-at-home period.
“The kids had to be more creative and they have enjoyed thinking up things they can enjoy all together. Of course, we’ve had the odd kickabout, too, which gets very competitive.” This strategy of engaging with the children, he went on to say, was thanks to the advice that his fans in Asia had given him.
Only after he listed down these family activities did he mention that he also managed to play soccer on the side to stay positive during these tough times.
“I find that running and exercising help clear my mind as well as keep me fit, so I’d encourage everyone to try and keep active, even if you don’t feel like it, some gentle exercise will lift your spirits.”
Speaking of Asia, he is no stranger to the continent; he has been to various Asian countries several times. He is also no stranger to Indonesia as he visited the country on March 26, 2018.
During his visit, the English soccer captain met with hundreds of children at the Sumantri Brojonegoro Stadium in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
The meet and greet was part of his duty as AIA global ambassador. Beckham revealed in an interview with the Post two years ago that he saw Indonesians as tough soccer players, saying he was confident that when the Indonesian soccer scene got proper infrastructure and investment, there would be more capable coaches who would give these players a brighter future.
During his visit in 2018, he also donated 10,000 soccer balls to Indonesia as part of the AIA Soccer for the Nation initiative.
“I can’t believe it’s already been two years since I last visited Indonesia – I loved the trip and can’t wait to be able to come back again. I got such a warm welcome from people in Indonesia, which I’m grateful for,” he recounted of his last visit to Indonesia.
Besides memories of the warmth that Indonesians showed him, it was recollections of the country’s dishes that left the most lasting impression for him.
“The Indonesian dishes we ate were delicious. I particularly enjoyed nasi goreng [fried rice]!” He was also grateful for the mission he brought to Indonesia two years ago.
“I was really proud to launch AIA Soccer for the Nation, to meet and play [soccer] with so many children and to be able to donate balls so that they could enjoy the sport that has given me so much in my life,” he said.
He had a message for soccer lovers, including those in Indonesia: “Looking after yourselves, mentally and physically, has never been more important. You can always practice your [soccer] skills. I remember I used to drive my mother mad by kicking a ball against our garage door for hours on end. Grab a ball, make the most of any space you can and encourage your parents to get involved too.”
He added that these strategies would help people as they were ready to resume their activities while adapting to new habits.
Fortunately, in just a few days to come, he will be able to “meet” his Indonesian fans again, albeit virtually, through an online health and wellness event called AIA Live, which will be held on Sunday across the company’s Asia Pacific markets.
Beckham will officially open and close the event, which will comprise more than 30 unique sessions with content to educate, motivate and inspire viewers to improve their physical and mental health through physical activities and exercise as well as proper sleep, nutrition, self-development, music and comedy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will present a cross-cultural lineup of entertainment to celebrate the local wisdom of AIA’s Asian Pacific operational countries to bring people together in this difficult time. Indonesian influencer, YouTuber, writer and actor Raditya Dika will also make an appearance in what will be his first-ever international event.
Meanwhile, celebrity chef Jeremy Pang will also conduct a cooking demonstration using ingredients from different Asian countries, while AIA partner coach the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club will challenge the audience to try several easy-to-do soccer skills at home.
The upcoming event is part of AIA’s commitment to helping people live healthier, longer and better lives.
Beckham himself will share more personal stories on how he and his family have spent their time during the pandemic, as well as several lessons he has learned from it.
“I’m very proud to be part of AIA Live, along with my fellow AIA ambassadors like Anton [Blackwood] and Shaun [Harris] from Spurs and our chef friend Jeremy Pang. I’ll be sharing the lessons that me and my family learned during lockdown as part of a full schedule of tips and advice from my fellow ambassadors, so I’d encourage everyone to get involved, tune in and be part of this day with us,” Beckham said. AIA Live will be streamed on the YouTube channel AIA Healthy Living AIA.
The event will also offer various exciting prizes, such as a chance to travel to London to watch a Spurs game, meet its main players and take home a soccer ball signed by Beckham.
Other winners can join a virtual cooking class with Pang, as well as get various merchandise from AIA’s other brand ambassadors.
For further information on how to join the live event and register for a chance to win these prizes, follow this link.
“As AIA Global Ambassador, I’m very proud to be involved in another great initiative from AIA. I wish I was there in person at AIA Live, but we’ll all be sharing our thoughts and experiences about how we can live healthier, longer, better lives. It’s amazing that people across Asia, including Indonesia, can all come together online for this event and I hope people will feel inspired to make the little changes in their lives that can make a big difference. I look forward to ‘seeing’ you on [Sunday]!” Beckham added.
