Hamish Blake, a radio host, TV star, and podcaster, has his hands full with multiple popular Australian shows and podcasts. Along with Andy Lee, he hosts the much-loved radio show and podcast ‘Hamish and Andy’. In addition, he lends his voice to the character of Jack’s dad in ‘Bluey’ and helms the hosting responsibilities of the show ‘LEGO Masters’. Outside his career adventures, Blake’s greatest achievements perhaps lie in the custom birthday cakes he bakes for his son and daughter annually.
While Blake is largely recognized for his public work engagements, he confessed about spending more time than assumed training and exercising intensely in his garage. He confessed to enjoying the psychological aspect of pushing himself physically. This habit of his even segued into participating in the larger endurance events like extended bike rides and wilderness adventures. However, he shared that his zeal for fitness wasn’t part of his life during his 20s, but started to develop in his 30s.
Blake has been consistently training for the past 10 to 12 years and feels that, as a 42-year-old, his training mentality has significantly evolved since his 30s. He noted the importance of maintaining fitness as one grows older and stated the mantra ‘use it or lose it’ pertaining to fitness. His current ideal fitness routine is to be a flexible, injury-free and slightly muscular yogic dad.
In giving a sneak-into his career journey, Blake described the tough choice he had to make early in his radio days. He remembered an intriguing job offer to host a breakfast show at a radio station in Adelaide he received at 19. The young Blake was lured by the prospect of a ‘real job’ and a ‘proper salary’. Concurrently, he had started doing shows on community radio with Andy Lee. The decision to choose between the glamour of FM radio and the comfort of working with his friend on community radio was a hard one for him at that time.
In the long run, his choice of staying with his friend instead of jumping onto the commercial bandwagon turned out to be the right one. Looking back, he now realizes the dangers of being driven primarily by ego, status, and external validation.
Blake also candidly revealed his struggles as a parent. He often feels heartbroken at the thought of unintentionally hurting his children emotionally, given the inevitable number of interactions they have. He alluded to his own experience of being upset by some off-hand remarks and jokes from adults when he was a kid. He thus strives to take his children’s feelings, fears, and anxieties seriously and aims at always listening and caring.
When it comes to his obsessions, the focus has recently been on golf. Despite having mocked golf in the past, he confesses his failure to get the golf swing right. This, he admits, has led to some level of addiction towards the sport.
Talking about his secret pleasures, Blake opened up about his love for day spas. No matter how decadent the massages, he would rarely ever say no.
The achievement he proudly attributes to himself is completing the two-day multi-sport race ‘Coast to Coast’, an event across the South Island of New Zealand. It involved kayaking, rock running, mountain biking, and mountain running. His completion of the event was the result of a year-long rigorous training regime to get better at each discipline involved in it. He states that such physical pursuits are a means to learn a bit more about oneself.
As much as he is visible to the camera and celebrated on the radio, Blake’s life is a balance of both. He enjoys spending time with family, sharing laughs on the radio and getting fit in his garage. His tale serves as inspiration across various aspects and reminds us that there’s always more to a person than meets the eye.
