" nature boy " | herald sun | february 6 2002

toby allen's only human, but it's just the qualification he needs, writes elanor sprawson.

having human nature on your resume can come in handy.

for toby allen, the deepest-voiced member of hugely successful group, human nature has led to human nature in the form of a presenting gig on new health and wellbeing show body + soul.

had he been a singer with green day he assumes he would have ended up slaving under a hot sun tearing apart gardens on backyard blitz. so all things considered, he's pretty chuffed with the way things have turned out.

'i find the subject really interesting - it's always been on my mind,' the 28-year-old former champion swimmer says.

'i'm always consious of being on top of my fitness and that sort of thing, because we're often pushed to the limit if we're touring.

'it's fairly hectic and when i'm coming off a tour i'm always conscious of making sure i get massages and stay relaxed.'

'allen is keeping up his woek with the band that was formed in 1989 by a bunch of schoolmates at hurlstone agricultural collefe in glenfield. they have gone on to win several mo awards and legions of fans across the world.

his dual career will mean a huge workload, especially when the band tours - as it will again next month.

but the singer is determined to not fall victim to the the embarrassment of a nervous breakdown brought on by his commitments.

'i don't think it will come to that,' allen laughs.

'i think i'd be more of a wreck about the tv thing if i weren't still with the band and going on tour. i love getting up on stage, i love it.'

allen will be joined on body + soul by three co-hosts: karina brown, formerly of sale of the century, newcomer erika heynatz and striclyt ballroom star paul mercurio.

the focus of the show will be the same as the herald sun suppliment of the same name. it's describe as 'the ultimate program for the body and mind, featuring segments on diet, fitness, relationships, physical and spiritual health and self-image'.

so far allen has dealt with a laughter club in northern sydney's woolwich, the importance of good hydration, and feng shui in the bedroom.already he's been hooked by many of the ideas he's investigated.

'i have a bad habit of doing that,' he says. 'it does open up your mind to a whole lot of things. but i haven't gone off to tibet to be a monk or anything like that ...yet.'

his favourite recipe for spiritual wellbeing is the same as it has always been: hanging out with his two dogs napolean and josephine.

'i find they make me forget anything that's gone on during the day.' he says. 'if i've had a tough day, as soon as i get home and see them it cheers me up.'

'just taking them out for walks, seeing them play together, that sort of stuff - the very simple thigs, they're what work best.