19/04/2026
One of my loved ones had heart surgery this week, and fortunately, it was successful. It reminded me of how my own life began.
Only few people know that I was born with some heart issues, and until I was 14, I had to regularly visit the hospital for check-ups. The condition was discovered when I was just three months old. During a meal, my body turned purple, and my mum, bless her heart, rushed me to the hospital. Her sister, who was the same age as I was then, had tragically passed away from heart failure, so you can imagine how terrifying it was for her. The doctors advised against any sports activities for me, for life.
When I was seven, my first teacher, who had known me since birth, encouraged me to slowly participate in sports lessons at school. She believed that with a gradual approach, we could train my heart without any issues. And she was right! Throughout my school years, I ran, played handball, danced, did bodybuilding, and enjoyed aerobics. She changed my life entirely. Although she passed away 40 years ago, what she taught me will stay with me forever:
"Believe that you can do it. Then take the first step with faith."
