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Almost 10 years ago, on November 4th, at the age of 33, I suffered a stroke.
I lost feeling and control on the left side of my body, from my cheek down. I couldn’t walk or balance - let alone run.
Just three days earlier, I’d completed the Noosa Triathlon, and a year before that, the Cairns Ironman. The thoughts that ran through my mind were: What if this had happened while I was swimming? Or cycling? Or driving? What if it had been worse - my face, my speech?
I remember thinking, I am so lucky. I told my neurologist, “I’ll never do another triathlon again.” He replied, “Exercise is the best thing for you.”
That day, I panicked. In fact, it was misdiagnosed as a panic attack. Ironically, the same physiological responses I experienced during that stroke - elevated heart rate, fast breathing, sweating - were the same sensations triggered by exercise. Movement became something I had to consciously stay calm through. As an exercise physiologist, that was a huge challenge - because movement was my life.
About seven months later, I fell pregnant. I now have two beautiful boys, aged 6 and 8. So I went from the trauma of a stroke to the life-changing experience of pregnancy - and only really returned to running about five years ago.
Back then, I told my husband: On the 10-year anniversary of my stroke, I’d love to do the New York Marathon.
We had actually planned to visit New York just weeks after my stroke, but we cancelled the trip due to my recovery and mental health. We said we’d go one day - but like running - it didn’t happen. Until now.
Last weekend, I completed the Gold Coast Half Marathon. In August, I’m doing the City2Surf. And on November 2nd, two days before the 10-year anniversary of my stroke, I’ll be running the New York Marathon.
My plan is to drop the ego that often comes with training for these events and just enjoy it. To celebrate what my body can do. To do something I love - surrounded by my family, in one of my favourite cities.
I want to do this for me. But if by chance I inspire just one other young stroke survivor with hope and motivation - then that would be amazing. To show them what’s possible. That we can be more than this catastrophic thing that happened to us.
In my work as an exercise physiologist and founder of Northside Allied Health and Kids Heart Pilates, my team and I support both children and adults with neurological conditions - many of which affect people in ways very similar to what I experienced during my stroke. I’m incredibly grateful for the perspective that gives me. It helps me truly feel and understand what my clients are going through, and to support them in a fun and connected way.
This one is for me, for my fellow young stroke survivors, and for my clients.
I’m aiming to raise $10,000 for young stroke survivors through this 10-year anniversary run.
