Description
As an endurance athlete, and coach, I was determined to find a solution for an incurable condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic heart disease known to cause sudden death in athletes.
Losing my identity as an athlete was a profound blow. I questioned my abilities as a coach and my purpose in life. Ignoring the doctor’s advice, I spent a year in denial, constantly testing my limits and tempting fate. Every day was a painful reminder of everything I had lost.
I made a promise to myself that once I learned how to live (happily) with my diagnosis, I would share my journey to hopefully help others. My memoir, Athlete at Heart, reflects my experience of acceptance, perseverance, self-discovery, and growth, as well as the fears, misconceptions, and false starts I encountered along the way. While my story centres around endurance sports, particularly cycling, I believe anyone striving for change can relate to my journey.
