I took the decision to share what happened to me with my melanoma (skin cancer) and then my heart attack last year. I saw no reason not to be very open and honest about it all and I am very aware that a lot of us blokes are not exactly the best at talking about stuff like this. If some of you don’t want to read about stuff like this then so be it, but there were never any grand plans with this blog and I talk about what I want to talk about. You kind people can very easily choose to read or not read, and to engage or not engage with me…………..

I wish I could claim that the bit out of my left leg is a really manly shark bite, but in fact it’s where they cut the melanoma out of me

I put something up on my Facebook page the other day about running, something which is increasingly obsessing me, plus let’s face it it’s hardly the finest time of year for bass fishing here in the UK. Roll on spring though, anybody else literally feeling sick with excitement at the season ahead? This is what I put on my FB page: “Oh yes, it's a cold but bright Monday morning so it's time for another awful running selfie! What a way to start the week! I didn't realise what a mental thing this running lark can be when I started getting into it. Went for a rather windy but thankfully dry dog walk at 6am this morning with my wife, and I seriously didn't feel like going for a run afterwards. A bit cold, very windy, I so nearly talked myself out of it. But I gave myself a bit of a talking-to and went out for a run. Ended up running a really nice, easy and relatively comfortable 7k, very glad I didn't talk myself out of it. It will never cease to amaze me how this sort of stuff is actually possible. When that voice on your shoulder gets a bit negative, give him a virtual slap!”

Okay, so I am a professional fishing photographer who is beyond useless at shooting one of these selfie things on their iPhone, but it amuses me how awful the results are! What came about from that Facebook post though was one of the most humbling and meaningful comments I have ever received. I asked the bloke if he would mind me posting his comment and he kindly said no problem. I share the health issues I have had because I can’t see the point in not being honest about it all, plus I am not remotely ashamed or embarrassed about what I have gone through. Surely there might also be the slightest chance of something good coming from talking about it? From this incredible comment I would suggest that this might well be the case:

“Henry Gilbey I have to admit you have been an inspiration to me (pass the bucket!). No, seriously, I followed your recent health scares with interest and in December 2023 I took up Couch to 5K. In 9 weeks I had reached my target. I now run 4 times a week and hitting 7k each time. This is from a 52 year old lure fishing freak who was obese, pre-diabetic, mentally unstable with worrying LFT warnings whose last bit of exercise was the school cross-country runs over 40 years ago (basically sitting in a hedge smoking). I've had my fair share of virtual slaps since December but I can now report I'm 36 runs in, 388 days sober, less obese, mentally fitter and as my doctor now confirmed "Has better LFT levels than him" I can also run up the stairs without an iron lung. Well done and thanks for the inspiration, here's a dodgy Park Run glamour shot. And if anyone is thinking about getting out there and looking like Henry Gilbey try Couch to 5K, it's flipping excellent and saved my life.”

I don’t mind admitting that when I read this lad’s kind and honest comment I nearly shed a tear or two. Huge admiration from me because in some respects I had it a bit easier - I had no choice but to make changes. I had the heart attack and I’d like to try and not have another one if at all possible! I used my heart attack and the recovery I needed to do to have a good look at myself, and dial down even more on the running, getting fitter and losing weight I had been doing before the actual heart attack. Thank you so much this kind bloke for letting me use your words. I am very glad I chose to share my health issues.

I am driving up to Farnborough later today to attend The Big One Show on Saturday and Sunday. I will be located in the Lure Live area so please come and say hi if you are going to be there. I am genuinely worried about all the lure fishing gear which Predator Tackle are bringing along to the show, to the point where I am seriously considering not taking my phone or wallet to the show so I can’t spend more than the money I am being paid to be at the show on new lure gear! You all have a good weekend, hope to see some of you at the show, thank god there’s no Six Nations because I am not sure I can take anymore of the England rugby team…………….

One of the most humbling comments I have ever received, plus I hope to see some of you at The Big One Show this weekend

© Henry Gilbey 2023