Moving with CHD

This week we get a new perspective from Cardiac Nurse, Angela. As a Personal Trainer as well, I quiz her on the considerations for exercising with CHD, what questions to ask your Doctor/cardiologist and the science behind why we should warm-up. For those looking to get active or build on your current levels, listen in to hear the simple ways to incorporate movement safely into your day. If surgery is also on the cards, we touch on the importance of cardiac rehabilitation for recovery and community building. Follow Angela on Instagram @healthyhearties and make sure you check out her reels!

This episode features Tori, who shares her incredible story growing up with a heart condition called Ebstein Anomaly. We talk about her journey to become a college athlete in high jump, a frightening cardiac setback in high school on the basketball court and her new found love for running. Amazingly she's also set up her own business and on top of that launched an affiliate marketing fashion and lifestyle blog that gives back to CHD charities. You can find Tori's blog here torijoygeiger.com/tori-joy-geiger and on Instagram @torijoygeiger

This week features Valentina, whose CHD sits under the umbrella of single ventricles. We talk about the intersection of CHD and body image, the challenge growing up with scars and learning to accept your body. A few years ago Valentina found the body positivity movement so shares how us CHD'ers can use its key principles to help love our bodies. We also chat about her experience of finding what exercise works for her. Having not always being able to keep pace with activities growing up, she shares how she navigated this and discovered walking. You can find out more about body positivity on the resources shared at the end of the episode and follow Valentina's journey on Instagram @sideways_heart

This week we hear from Taylor, who was born with tricuspid atresia, transposition of the great vessels, and dextrocardia, which lead to a fontan procedure. Her cardiologist encouraged activity so we talk about growing up as a dancer, finding your heart limits and staying healthy both mindset and physically. Inspiringly Taylor is also studying medicine so we talk about her why and what she hopes to give back to the CHD community in the future. Make sure to check out her Facebook page: Fontan with a Future and her Instagram under the same handle.

This week features a young CHD'er, Nevada, who did 100 cycle rides in 100 days as part of a school initiative. We talk about raising awareness of congenital heart defects as well as fundraising for the charity Heart Beats. We also chat about his CHD, Shone's syndrome, surgery and what it's been like moving countries and changing cardiologists/hospitals. You can see Nevada's incredible 100 rides on his Instagram @nevadamaier.

This week we speak to Meg, who was born with Tetrology of Fallot but wasn't told until adulthood that she'd need a valve replacement. Now several years on, we talk about that experience of finding out, the 8 year build up to surgery and the questions she wanted to know about the recovery process. It was around this time that she also discovered running so we chat about what this means to her, why trail runs are more appealing and how to bring friends and family on the journey with you. You can see Meg's love from running on her Instagram @the_running_pig_heart

When faced with difficulties or challenges, resilience can be a powerful tool. In this episode, I chat to Beth. As an endurance athlete with CHD, we talk about the cardiac setbacks she's faced and still facing, and the mindset she's adopted to come back fighting every time. We also talk about Beth's experience of the impact fitness can have on recovery from planned surgeries, an emergency one and getting endocarditis.

In this next episode, I chat to Nick to get another side to CHD, being the parent. Having had their daughter, Skylar, 2 years ago we reflect on the frightening experience of suddenly having a newborn whisked off for heart surgery within a week and the questions they wanted to know from doctors. As a runner himself, I also couldn't help asking Nick what got him into exercise and how he'll use his love for long distance to encourage his daughter to lead an active life.

Goal setting is a fantastic way to be able to see progress when it comes to being active. In this episode, I have a conversation with Claire about growing up with CHD in South Africa and the impact now as an adult. We talk too about her recent passion for running, which led her to set herself the goal of running a half marathon. We discuss what inspired this, what motivated her to keep going as well as the more recent impact of lockdowns on exercise goals.

Having been waiting on the heart transplant list nearly 300 days, I chat to Lorrie about how she maintains an incredibly positive outlook while juggling study and numerous hospital appointments. We talk about her active childhood and the difference now as an adult with a failing heart. She shares how she's adapted her approach to fitness and what her hopes are post transplant.