A cancer survivor has shared how running, golf, and other sports became central to his physical and mental resilience after his diagnosis, saying that fitness played a key role in how he approached recovery and life afterward.
He explained that he only began long distance running after being diagnosed with cancer in 2017, when he completed his first 42 kilometre marathon while raising funds for a cancer charity. That experience, he said, reshaped his outlook on health and discipline.
“Health is wealth,” he said, adding that maintaining physical fitness improves strength, focus, and the ability to face serious illness. He stressed that it is not about a specific sport, but about staying active and consistent with exercise.
Beyond running, he also engages in golf, gym workouts, and previously played squash from a young age, representing Lagos State in his early teens. He also had a semi professional rugby career, which he says helped build endurance and mental toughness.
He noted that structured morning exercise helps his productivity, saying he often trains early before work, which leaves him mentally alert and energised for the day ahead.
The survivor also spoke about his long standing passion for football as a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, describing himself as a lifelong season ticket holder. He said supporting the club has taught him resilience, especially during difficult seasons, comparing it to his experience battling cancer.
He added that his competitive nature, shaped through sports like rugby and squash, helped him develop a mindset of persistence and refusal to give up, even in the face of health challenges.
He also expressed growing interest in Nigerian football, particularly Remo Stars, encouraged by his friendship with club owner Kunle Soname. He said he has begun attending matches and engaging more with local football development.
On lifestyle choices such as tattoos, he noted that he had them before his diagnosis and sees them as a form of personal expression rather than a health concern, adding that he may consider getting more in the future.
Overall, his message emphasised discipline, physical activity, and mental resilience as key tools not only in sport but in facing life threatening illness.
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