“I have been attending the Pan Pacific Masters Games every two years from 2008, competing in touch football and, since 2012, indoor rowing.
In 2016, I was diagnosed with Apical Cardiomyopathy and required a defibrillator to be implanted. After having an MRI to determine placement, a cancerous growth was found on my Thymus gland, which was removed by performing a thoracotomy around Easter time that year. Then, in August, the defibrillator was implanted. I refused to let this get me down and competed in the Touch Footy competition at Pan Pacs in November of 2016 bringing home a Bronze Medal.
In 2020, Pan Pacs was cancelled due to the covid pandemic, and at that time, I had done a spiral fracture of my leg and tore the tendons off both sides of my ankle participating in “Obstacle Hell” that year. Then I contracted covid.
In 2022, I participated in the Indoor Rowing but came home empty handed as I had gained weight and was competing in the heavyweight category. This inspired me to lose weight. This year, 2024, I competed in the lightweight category coming home with four Silver Medals: 2000m, 1000m, one minute (277m) and the 4 x 500m relay, and a Bronze Medal in the 500m, and two PB’s.
I’d like to thank the staff of City Fitness Mackay for encouraging me and helping me to reach my goals, and to let you all know that no matter what comes your way, you can do it if you have the right mindset!”
