Men’s Health Month – Shawn Kennedy
- SFJ
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 10
During the first week of Men’s Health Month, TEAM CHICAGO is highlighting one of our members, Shawn Kennedy. Kennedy is a 63-year-old single father of an adult daughter and son, a grandfather of two, and a retired Chicago police sergeant.
Shawn Kennedy: “It seems like I have always been interested in fitness on some level, which started in my teen years with martial arts. I enjoyed the physical aspect of exercising, competing, self-discipline, and being fit. I continued my training into my early 30s, having attained a second-degree black belt. My focus shifted to working out at the gym on a regular basis. This was for strength training and staying fit. As I get older, I have learned to adapt my workouts to the changes my body undergoes regarding strength and physical restrictions. This might include focusing more on my format and taking longer warm-ups. My fitness interests led into starting our Walking Wednesdays group in 2023, so that other retirees might be encouraged to get healthy.
I never specifically focused on my health until my early 40s. My pediatrician was still my doctor until I was 40. (Don’t laugh lol.) I then made a conscientious decision to get an adult doctor to learn about the various screenings men should have. I had my first PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and DRE (digital rectal exam) tests at 45, along with a colonoscopy. I became more focused on my screenings, vaccinations, and periodic check-ups with the necessary lab work. So when I was diagnosed with early prostate cancer in 2023, I was already ahead of the game with my health mindset. My pre-screenings allowed my early detection of this asymptomatic disease, more options, including time for active surveillance. In 2024, the gradual growth of the cancer convinced me to undergo 20 low-dose radiation treatments, along with six-months of hormone therapy. My fitness and training helped me through that process, both physically and mentally. I now encourage other men, younger and older, to get screened. The biggest step for many men is overcoming our fear of not wanting to know. We can definitely change that mindset simply with education, so that more men can live longer and be healthier. I also eat a lot ‘cleaner’ now, once I learned how the many sugary foods we consume actually harms our body.”
To learn more about Walking Wednesdays and the teams, visit https://www.strategiesjustice.com/walking-wednesdays
#WalkingWednesdays #1stYearAnniversary #TeamChicago #TeamNittany #TeamLosAngeles #WalkingForAHealthyHeart #TheLoveJuiceCo #MensHealthMonth #ShawnKennedy
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