As promised, here is an edited version of my address to Heart Support Australia's annual conference last weekend......
"I am a swimming instructor, a swimming coach, a surf lifesaver and a long distance open water swimmer. A couple of months ago I did what many open water swimmers consider to be the holy grail of what we do – I swam what the ancient Geeks called the Hellespont and what most of us now recognise as the Dardanelles – the strait in Turkey that links the Gallipoli peninsula on the western side to the eastern side. If you like to think of it this way, I swam from Europe to Asia.
I also have coronary artery disease and I have had a quadruple coronary artery bypass operation.
So what? You might say. The point is that life is not a spectator sport. Don't wait for others to tell you how to live a full and healthy life.
If you have had a heart ‘event’ – or even if you have not – or if you suffer from a heart-related condition – or even if you do not – get back on your bike (figuratively and literally), regain your health, get fit, and do the things that make you happy, especially those things that have you have always wondered whether you can do them.
Many of you will know this one: ‘No one on their death bed wishes that they had spent more time in the office.'
And, for the German speakers among you (somehow it sounds better in German): Traüme nicht deine Leben – Lebe deinen Taum. (‘Don’t dream about your life, live your dreams’).
So, to sum up,
Get serious about the things that you must do for a healthy and active life such as:
• Stop smoking – and don’t be afraid to tell others that it will kill them
• Stop consuming too much of the three dietary killers – fat, sugar, salt
• Reduce or stop consuming alcohol
• Lose weight
• Get fit. Walking is great – but so is swimming!
• Go to relaxation classes – or take up yoga or tai chi
• Most importantly, leave your old life behind. There is a beautiful, exciting and healthy one just waiting for you to live it. Live your passions. Never be afraid to change your lifestyle and to seek inspiration from others."
"I am a swimming instructor, a swimming coach, a surf lifesaver and a long distance open water swimmer. A couple of months ago I did what many open water swimmers consider to be the holy grail of what we do – I swam what the ancient Geeks called the Hellespont and what most of us now recognise as the Dardanelles – the strait in Turkey that links the Gallipoli peninsula on the western side to the eastern side. If you like to think of it this way, I swam from Europe to Asia.
I also have coronary artery disease and I have had a quadruple coronary artery bypass operation.
So what? You might say. The point is that life is not a spectator sport. Don't wait for others to tell you how to live a full and healthy life.
If you have had a heart ‘event’ – or even if you have not – or if you suffer from a heart-related condition – or even if you do not – get back on your bike (figuratively and literally), regain your health, get fit, and do the things that make you happy, especially those things that have you have always wondered whether you can do them.
Many of you will know this one: ‘No one on their death bed wishes that they had spent more time in the office.'
And, for the German speakers among you (somehow it sounds better in German): Traüme nicht deine Leben – Lebe deinen Taum. (‘Don’t dream about your life, live your dreams’).
So, to sum up,
Get serious about the things that you must do for a healthy and active life such as:
• Stop smoking – and don’t be afraid to tell others that it will kill them
• Stop consuming too much of the three dietary killers – fat, sugar, salt
• Reduce or stop consuming alcohol
• Lose weight
• Get fit. Walking is great – but so is swimming!
• Go to relaxation classes – or take up yoga or tai chi
• Most importantly, leave your old life behind. There is a beautiful, exciting and healthy one just waiting for you to live it. Live your passions. Never be afraid to change your lifestyle and to seek inspiration from others."
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