Heartbeat Interrupted: My Comeback from Heart Surgery to UTMB
It was October 2024 when life hit pause—not because of a pandemic, but because my heart said so. I was at the peak of my game: CEO of eventplanner.net and FORWARD, running a charming B&B, and training ridiculously hard, with early-morning runs to over 100km a week, strength sessions, and recovery sessions. I thought this was all important, but it isn’t. I was chasing the connection with nature, not crowds, having swapped street marathons for the wild beauty of ultra trail running in the mountains. I was fit- or so I thought.
Training, Stress & The Trails I Loved
I’d run countless street marathons, but the mass starts felt detached, impersonal. The mountains, however, whispered belonging. Trails gave me clarity - away from boardroom demands, email chains, and weight fluctuations tied to stress. Enter trail running: raw, untamed, honest. And then, Iceland 2024 - my first ultra, before anything felt off.
The Illusion of Perfect Health
A routine check-up flagged me 100% fit. I ran and finished the stunning Iceland Ultra, fully believing I’d conquered the unknown. But Dr. Faché, my orthomolecular check-up hero, wasn’t convinced. Some biomarkers were within normal range, but not optimal. He dug deeper. Soon after, my cardiologist dropped the bombshell: severe heart disease - something that had been missed in all the regular checks despite our heightened vigilance around family risk. That reality jolted me from illusion to emergency planning, and even made me switch cardiologists to ensure nothing was overlooked.
Chamonix Training Camp: Last Hurrah, First Reflection
My coach, Gediminas Grinius guided me through Mont Blanc’s trails two weeks before my scheduled heart surgery (approved by my heart surgeon). It was equal parts exhilarating and humbling. I had to restrain intensity, holding back when every fibre screamed “Push harder!” Instead, I chose presence. Chamonix was both a finale and a grounding - proof that the journey mattered as much as the finish line.
Heart Surgery & The Fastest Discharge Ever
Then—surgery. Long hours, pain that sliced through ribs, and yet a homecoming in under a week. The hospital staff joked, “New record!” But trusting home pain meds after hospital-grade care? Torture. And yet, in that pain, I found purpose. I bit down—and thought: If I can survive this, I can rebuild. But not just rebuild—I was already telling myself, still groggy and sore in that hospital bed, that I wouldn’t settle for coming back the same. I was going to come back stronger.
The Rebuild: Losing 60% to Gain Clarity
Slow was the new fast. My lungs refused, my endurance vanished. Over 60% lost. Each gasp was a lesson; each step, a measure of humility. Cardiac rehab gave me meetup points; my physio, rehab team, and orthomolecular allies gave me back my foundation. That’s when I made a fundamental shift—not just to recover, but to train like a professional athlete. I overhauled everything: more dedication, more structure, more science.
And most importantly, I made a quiet but powerful decision to prioritise my health and sports over work. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a workaholic (and proud of it), running two companies, a B&B, podcasts… the whole circus. However, by making running my top priority, everything else falls into place more smoothly. I’m sharper, more focused, and ironically - more productive. That subtle shift gave me back not just performance, but peace.
I train early in the morning, often before the sun’s up. By the time I’m back from a two-hour run, I’m usually still the first one online in the team. And doing it this way means no one can take my training away from me. In the past, I used to plan workouts at the end of the day, only to see them derailed by urgent calls or last-minute tasks. Now, my run is non-negotiable. It comes first, and everything else follows.
Building the Pro Routine
Welcome to my weekly blueprint:
5–6 runs, 5–6 AM dawn starts - safe from interruptions.
Back-to-back long runs on weekends.
Thursday hill repeats involving a 1‑hour drive (no closer hills).
Strength sessions: twice with physio, plus home-gym barbell time.
Recovery rituals: sauna (3 times a week), cryotherapy (biweekly), sports massage (monthly).
Work starts only after endurance is fed - no more digging out time from meetings.
Working with a pro team – I firmly believe in surrounding myself with the best. From my orthomolecular doctor to my cardiologist, physiotherapist, strength coach, and running coach, I’ve built a team like a professional athlete would. Why figure it all out alone when experts can help you avoid detours and accelerate progress? It’s not about shortcuts - it’s about doing things right, from the start.
Science backs it: sauna boosts blood volume and endurance (also aiding in heat training), while cryotherapy helps reduce inflammation and speeds recovery.
The Comeback: From Surgery to UTMB Andorra Finish Line
Just four months after surgery, I ran my first trail marathon—not for time, but for proof that I was back in the game. Along the way, I trained harder than ever, including a focused training camp in Madeira with my coach Gediminas. But my real eye was on the prize I had set almost immediately after surgery: the UTMB Andorra 50 km ultra trail race with 3,500m+ of elevation gain. Setting that goal early was essential - it gave structure to my recovery and something to aim for when every breath and step was still a struggle.
That race… it was brutal. I had never done 3500m of vertical gain in one go, and it showed. The first climb alone felt endless. At the starting line, I looked around and saw only elite-level athletes - no weekend joggers, no “maybe I can beat that guy” type. Everyone looked fitter than I. But I didn’t care - I wasn’t there to compare, I was there to finish.
And finish I did: 9 hours and 36 minutes of moving time (official time, including aid stations, was 10:20 hours), climbing from around 350th to 250th overall, and placing 29th in my age group out of roughly 550 runners - 100 of whom didn’t make it to the finish. Usually, I’m the one being overtaken in races. But something had changed. This time, I was the one catching up. Not because I was the fastest, but because my mind wouldn’t let me quit.
At kilometre 15, I developed large blisters on both feet. The pain was sharp, but I tightened my shoelaces so tightly my feet couldn’t move (they were blue at the finish, minor detail). Around the 1,800 m climb mark, my legs started threatening to cramp into full rebellion. But I stayed focused. I’d trained not just my body, but my mind. And that mental strength pushed me through. At 40 km, I still felt strong. Tired, yes - but in control. The final stretch was tough, no doubt, but the feeling crossing that finish line? Unmatched. Not just a comeback - this was a transformation.
Learning as a Lifestyle: Training the Mind Alongside the Body
True to my nature, I didn’t just train harder - I went back to the books. I’m currently studying to become a certified running coach, not just for my progress, but also to coach others one day, potentially. Continuous learning has always been my approach in life. I’m a computer engineer by education, but over the years, I’ve added marketing, business, and legal degrees to the list - plus studies in coaching, NLP, and orthomolecular medicine. Why? Because I believe that if you want to achieve big goals, you don’t just need strong legs - you need a sharper mind. Reading, experimenting, applying - it’s all part of the same journey.
Why I Share This Story
During my training, I started sharing my journey on social media - not because I wanted likes or followers, but because putting my story out there gave things perspective. And to my surprise, people started reaching out. They told me they were inspired. That my story prompted them to reassess their priorities, to take that first step - whether literally or metaphorically.
I’m not an influencer, nor do I aspire to be one. But my “why” in life has always been to help others grow and push their boundaries. It’s what drives me professionally - and now, more than ever, personally. That’s why I accepted the first three podcast invites to share my story. For once, I won’t be the host like I am on eventplanner.tv. This time, I’ll be the guest. And I hope that by expanding the reach of my journey, I can inspire more people to chase their goals - even the ones that seem impossible.
What’s Next on the Horizon
UTMB Kaçkar 50 km, Turkey, later this year.
A first UTMB 100 km category race, planned for early 2026.
Podcasts galore - with three invites already accepted. It's time to step out and share my story more widely.
❤️ Will You Join This Story?
This journey isn’t just about me running up mountains after heart surgery - it’s about what’s possible when you take your health seriously, set bold goals, and refuse to settle.
If this story resonates with you - even a little - there are a few simple, powerful ways you can help fuel the next chapter:
Follow me on social media: Every like, share, or comment helps the message travel further. It tells the algorithm that stories of resilience and personal growth matter. The links: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & LinkedIn.
Share the content with someone who needs it: Maybe it’s a friend recovering from illness, a fellow entrepreneur putting health last, or someone looking for that nudge to start. Pass it on.
Know or host a podcast? I’m always open to conversations that dive deeper into mindset, recovery, ambition, and pushing boundaries. I’m used to asking the questions—this time, I’m here to answer them.
Partnerships that align: If you represent a brand in sports, recovery, supplements, or endurance lifestyle -let’s talk. I’m looking to collaborate with companies whose values match mine: authenticity, quality, and long-term impact. I’m not interested in product pushing - I’m building something meaningful. The right partners won’t just help me accelerate that journey, they’ll also benefit by connecting their brand to real, relatable storytelling - not just elite-level performance, but authentic transformation that resonates far beyond the world of pro athletes.
This isn’t about becoming an influencer. It’s about influence - the real kind. The kind that helps someone get off the couch, sign up for that race, or take back control of their health and/or life.
Thank you.