About Us
The story of resilience, survival, and the birth of Elite Athlete Wear.
Welcome to Elite Athlete Wear
"My name is James Turner and this is my story."
About: Sports health and fitness enthusiast. And a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant patient… Born and raised in a little country town of Garfield North, South Victoria Australia.
James grew up from the age of 12 years old diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, after moving to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland with his family. He has always competed in and had a large role in sports including Cricket, Basketball, Body boarding/surfing, Mountain biking, and Motocross/enduro.
Competing in North Queensland through to the age of 30 years old where unfortunately the long term effects of poorly educated/managed Type 1 Diabetes took its toll. Losing his vision from diabetic retinopathy and suffering the beginning and side effects of Kidney/renal failure! Including Peripheral neuropathy/Body cramps and electrolyte imbalances. After receiving intensive Laser treatment to his eyes to regain eyesight.
"James’s trip to Spain and Sweden made possible… post transplant"
With an uncertain future he returned to his home state of Victoria for better specialist medical care to help prolong the effects of type 1 insulin dependant diabetes and kidney failure. He completed certificates in D.A.F.N.E dose adjustment for normal eating, whilst still taking on work as a qualified spray painter/panel beater and airbrush artist.
After settling in the beautiful little coastal town of Inverloch in Victoria in 2016 James’s fight to keep his kidney function came to an end with all the relevant medical teams agreeing that Dialysis was necessary to stay alive! Joining the many other brave and amazing people fighting similar conditions, along with all the complications and life threatening challenges that being on Dialysis brings.
To name a few! Fluid overload, potassium overload, disequilibrium syndrome, infections, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and heart failure, weak immune system. Just to name a few that were experienced. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) being the no.1 killer of Dialysis patients within the first year of Haemodialysis. That’s right very limited and complicated balance/strict diet and fluid intake. The only option for long term survival being a transplanted Kidney, “e.g.” being on a transplant list, being as fit healthy and as stable as possible to receive the transplant. Yep you guessed it give up or game on! It’s a choice that patients make daily…
Skipping forward to New Years Eve 31st Dec 2019 James received the long awaited call after multiple attempts to stay in line for a transplant. And woke New Years Day after receiving a life changing simultaneous Kidney and pancreas transplant. Which meant no more Dialysis and after 30 years no more diabetes. Dream come true and an amazing way to start a new year of 2020… and my new life vow and resolution..
To promise the Girl whose name still remains unknown that died that night to save my life! That I would do whatever it took to look after the gift she gave me! Which meant becoming the fittest and healthiest person I had ever been! And start doing all the things put off in fear and anxiety because of my health condition. and the chance at starting a whole new life that I had never really known outside of my type 1 diabetes and leaving my formal career in a unhealthy environment… James’s trip to Spain and Sweden made possible… post transplant.
The Birth of a Brand
From a hospital bed to a mission driven by gratitude.
A Tribute to Life
After a few mishaps and a few altered plans due to circumstances beyond my control, and with health and fitness in mind the idea of creating and slowly building a brand of athletic wear that not only was comfortable, cool sweat wicking supporting and adaptive to everyone’s ever changing lifestyles through Summer Autumn Winter and Spring, But to have a brand that represents and pays respect to everything that kept him alive to live a life that he never thought would be possible!
Honoring Heroes
To all the health workers that work tirelessly to save lives. Dr’s, Nurses, Surgeons, and specialists. You all deserve more credit than you get, or ever ask for. You kept my heart beating! And to turning back to my fitness and health which helped me get to where I am today! that got me through some mentally and physically and emotionally demanding times and situations in my life!
"Just proving that Keeping fit and physically active is one of the most important things you can do on a daily basis. Improving brain health, fights against depression and anxiety, weight gain. Which reduces and in a lot of cases reverses heart failure and heart disease, Increases bone strength and improves your ability to get through everyday activities…"
And last but not least to pay my respects to all those who I sat with who have sadly passed into the next life! and lost the fight that I was fighting. And to all those fighting whatever you are going through still. Don’t give up don’t stop fighting. Stay as active as you can You never know what miracle awaits you in the future.
And that brings me to the creation of Elite Athlete Wear and the logo dedicated to the aforementioned. The famous EKG line for all the health workers saving lives and the Athlete that’s in everyone keeping their rhythm alive via fitness and health. Whatever the fitness level! And my passion to create and design the very best athletic wear/leisure wear for every need possible…
My Achievements
- Completed certificate in automotive paint refinishing airbrush art and panel beating (20 years experience).
- Completed certificate in D.A.F.N.E dose adjustment for normal eating In the diabetes education centre.
- Extensive knowledge and certificates in structural engineering.
- Currently furthering certificates in small business and entrepreneurship. And looking to improve my knowledge in health and nutrition!
Special Thanks
- All the healthcare workers at Monash transplant clinic. Heart clinic. Emergency services.
- Wonthaggi hospital staff and Dialysis group you know who you all are!
- To the young girl who selflessly chose to be an organ donor and all those on the enrolment donor list! And the families of the deceased. You are the true heroes!
- To all my friends and family who encouraged me to keep going and helped me bring Elite Athlete Wear to life.
"My goals in this company is to hopefully create a brand name and product you can trust... Thank you for taking the time to read my Bio and story and hope you enjoy my clothing and merch brand to be at you most Elite level with (Elite Athlete Wear)"