“Bloody hell Billy, what diseases don’t you have?!”
That statement, pertinent, was ingrained in my mind for a while, for it was true. Kinda. In October 2024 I was 50 kilos overweight, sporting a triple chin and ready to fulfill my dream of becoming a Sumo – I mean have you seen the food they consume and the attention they receive!
I was also told by smarter people than the stubborn me that I had sleep apnea (did that mean I had nightmares of Man U losing?), Diabetes Type 2 (my “type” was always brunette, but hey….), reflux and a cough attributed to asthma. Apparently, a few months earlier I had asthma!
October 2024 changed me.
Cotsis says community support and reconnecting with people helped motivate his health transformation. Photo: Supplied
I decided to LISTEN, as I was always stubborn. Listen to doctors, listen to Paul from work, listen to Neeraj Chand who encouraged me to get sleep studies done. I thought he meant someone would just watch me sleep!
I listened to those who have diabetes and apnea. I realised changes were required. I had picked up stress from working bloody hard at my last economic development gig, too hard to the point I was taking on dozens of projects and neglected my superpower, being calm and patient. I constantly wanted to make a difference for bosses who didn’t deserve my talents. I had been a cool, calm persona for a loooooong time. When I was a youngster, you didn’t want to argue with me, I could see some of my bad attitude returning due to heavy workloads. By 2022, 23 I had failed to see the BIG weight gains, and my lack of patience. As an aside this all likely ensured a quicker ending to a great relationship of that era, should I have been more patient with such an amazing woman? You bet – and for those who gamble, take 7/1 odds that I will never ever screw up my health again!
BTW unsure if those odds are good, as I don’t gamble!
Billy Cotsis behind the camera, embracing photography and creativity during his health transformation journey. Photo: Supplied
A change of job, less stress and back amongst hardcore ethNICKS (multicultural peoples) and I was in my element by the end of 2024.
The Doctor made sure I had a sleep apnea mask. “Customer” feedback was that the mask makes me look more attractive. Who knew! Between October 2024 – July 2025, I became a user….. of the CPAP. It made a difference as my oxygen flow improved, sleeping better.
Once in September 2024 I had three naps – atrocious and unhealthy. Though I did dream Man U was winning, hence making me want to sleep more.
People encouraged me to remember who I was once, a runner. Not running from anyone, but I was once super fit and understood my body. Not in the The Divinyls type of way, rather as an athlete as I always played sport. Not that at good at it, like the Great Wall of Focker.
During a coastal walk, one of the lifestyle changes he credits with improving his fitness and wellbeing. Photo: Supplied
I changed my diet. Yes, I am sweet enough; the sugar had to go. There is sugar in almost everything. Took me until December 2024 to work out dietary needs. I was in Papua New Guinea and learnt to say no to new foods, I was finally ok with eating smart whereas usually on travels I would gorge. Buffets in Latina America the previous year were my “enemy!”, 15 nations that served up massive meals for this Grego/Griego/Gringo.
Diet amendment: extra lean meats, salads, less cheese for a while though feta never left my side, like a good puppy, extremely low carb/low taste bread, water instead of coke zero, plain coffee, no treats that say “sugar free” and a few berries and strawberries for breakie. Essentially, I went on strike from sugar and embraced food like omelettes. I stopped eating crap like say, Maccas.
My mum Maria Cotsis was a star. Whereas before she would make me a smorgasbord of Greek foods and sweets, it was now steamed veggies and anything healthy.
Kudos to a range of eateries who went out of their way to help me. Steki Taverna were one of the go to places for my dietary needs and Zaatar Zaytoun at Wakeley now have the “Billy Omelette” on their menu. I joke not, Miriam, her awesome brother and the staff made a BIG difference to my life. They understood my predicament. Occasionally I take a no sugar treats, but will purchase from their business.
Billy Cotsis after an Indoor 5’s futsal match, part of the fitness routine that helped transform his health. Photo: Supplied
People made an effort with me. The kindness and encouragement, from my own boss, colleagues, a number of eateries, family especially and sports chums. You see I play futsal mostly with Vicky and Chris Kerpiniotis’ Indoor 5’s. Thanks to their competitions at USYD and Glebe/Broadway, I play with my teams; players are almost all in their early to mid-20s which means I must be fit and fast. The players challenge me as I am their worst player, yet they tolerate me. Helps we have made about five grand finals and won two. Michael, Joey, Anna, Tania, Sasha, Adam, John, Jose, Char, Laura, Irene, Trinity, Miriam, have been the mainstays especially for the team called Billie Jean is NOT my Striker. I think Joey and Michael coined the name to make fun of me. LOVE IT.
In essence an improved diet, green tea every morning, 1.5 litres of water minimum, no late-night eating, minimal stress and good people around me along with relevant sports = success.
My tennis buddies be it Neeraj, George T, Paul our token non ethnic, Tassos Bouzouki, Nick, Akis and the squash crew of Will, Josh, Constantine, have all helped. More than they will ever know.
Just like Paul at work, their examples helped me. Neeraj knew it from the outset as he busted my balls, not the tennis balls, for me to get tested. Seda my Turkish colleague supported me as a gym buddy. Currently have a busted hand which means no gym, just the odd coffee with a mate called Jim.
As of 22 March, I am diabetes free.
Enjoying a new lifeline. Photo: Supplied
Funny story, laugh with me, humour me…. the testing at the end of 2024 showed I was technically Diabetes 1, yet I begged and begged my Doctor to let me believe I am 2, as its almost impossible to reverse Type 1. Thanks Doctor, as my results today show me sweet as a person, tough on sugar as I WON! Task completed with aplomb, ecstatic.
I never had asthma btw, it was the easiest way for some medical people to explain how poor my health was, which also included HIGH blood pressure for a while. That too was eradicated like a Men In Black film as I returned to normalcy by February 2025.
To celebrate my victory, I had a strong coffee, feta and looked at a slice of cake in a shop window, salivating. I no longer have the desire for sugar as I am sweet enough without it.
Thank you to everyone who helped.
I return the favour by giving advice to anyone who needs it. Message me about your health and I will listen, something I was bad at for a few years. Our bodies are all different. My best practise may be different to yours. What I do know is that at 49, I am as fit as Ronaldo, ok maybe let’s just say as fit as I was at 30. Remember, even if you do not meet your weight goals, give it a go. I was always happy when I was a Sumo, just as happy not being a Sumo, just faster and much fitter now.
*Billy Cotsis is the author of 1453: Constantinople & The Immortal Rulers.
