New Idea
Former Wiggle Greg Page says he hasn’t had this much fun in years – he’s been writing songs designed to inspire kids to be active.
The 45-year-old created the songs after joining forces with cricketer Shane Watson and his wife Lee on a new kids’ fitness program, Let’s Activate.
We’re teaching youngsters basic sports movements such as throwing, to music,’ says the dad- of-six (including three stepkids).
‘I’ve been testing all the songs on my own kids, and they love them,’ says Greg, with pride.
As well as daughter Madison and stepson Blaine with his ex-wife Michelle Charlton, Greg has two children, Lara, seven, and Cameron, five, with his second wife Vanessa – a widow who has two children, Haydon and Cameron, with her late husband. Greg and Vanessa had been friends at school but lost contact over the years, eventually reconnecting through mutual friends.
Vanessa offered support after learning he had the rare, debilitating condition orthostatic intolerance, which made him prone to fainting.
The two began meeting for coffee, sparks flew… and seven years ago, they got married!
‘I’m so content these days,’ nods Sydney-based Greg, who struggled after having to quit The Wiggles due to the condition. And, happily, his health has improved as well.
‘I’m not on any medication for dizziness these days and it’s very manageable,’ he says. ‘I now know that when I was with The Wiggles, because I was dancing so much, I was losing a lot of bodily fluid, and that made my condition much worse.
‘Now that doesn’t happen of course, and I’m much healthier! I still can’t stand up for ages at parties – but I don’t go to parties much these days anyway!
He’s now immersed in the program, which launched in Sydney in February and is set to expand Australia-wide.
‘I’ve always been a cricket tragic so I’d known Shane for years,’ he says. ‘He approached me two years ago about doing this. After being in The Wiggles, I know how powerful music can be to help kids learn.’
He’s also heading to the US shortly where several new TV projects are in the pipeline.
But whenever possible, he’s a hands-on dad who admits that it’s ‘never easy being a parent, no matter how much experience you have! Every child is different, but that’s what makes being a parent so special, watching each one develop their own personality.’
For the full story, see this week’s New Idea – out now.
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