Glasgow man who had a stroke at 34 set to take on major fitness challenge

A Glasgow man who suffered a stroke when he was only 34 is hoping to become an inspiration to others with health issues as he takes on a major fitness challenge. Craig Smith, a solicitor, experienced the health scare 10 years ago and had a pacemaker fitted due to vasovagal blackouts two years later.

Following the stroke, Craig started a journey to improve his health, ramping it up after the Covid pandemic. And tomorrow, he is set to take on the high-energy Hyrox fitness race taking place at the SEC in Glasgow, where he will be raising money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, reports Glasgow Live.

Craig said: “If I tell people I’ve had a stroke or a pacemaker I get the reaction of ‘Oh but you’re so young’. People have a certain image of what a stroke survivor or pacemaker recipient looks like. But people can live with these conditions. I’ve been very lucky and I’m very aware with these conditions, sometimes it’s the cards you’re dealt.

“I’ve got very vivid memories of lying in a hospital bed thinking ‘What’s my life going to be like?’. I had slurred speech following my stroke, but it cleared up quite quickly. I also had a lot of weakness in my left side.”

“I was lucky and recovered well physically in a couple of months. However, I was still experiencing a lot of mental fatigue at work even after 18 months. 10 years on I’m fitter and stronger than I was. My quality of life is a lot better and I’m a lot more active.

“I know there will be someone who is sitting right now at home or in hospital in their 30s or 40s thinking, ‘How did I get here?’ I want them to know – you’re there now but you’re not there forever.”

The 44-year-old is taking part in the relay version of Hyrox, which will see him tackle a 1km run, followed by a 152kg sled push for 50m, a second 1km run, then a farmer’s carry with two 24kg kettlebells for 200m.

It’s a big task for anyone but it’s a testament to the hard work he has put in over the last few years. Craig said: “Like a lot of people I put on weight during the pandemic.

“So I signed up for a personal trainer, who’s helped me get fitter and do things I didn’t think I was capable of from lifting weights to completing Couch to 5k. I’m not the strongest or fittest person, but I’m stronger and fitter than I was.

“I wanted to fundraise for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland because it’s a charity I’ve heard about for a long time. I wasn’t able to do something before but they’re a good charity and I was doing this event, so I was a good fit.”

Louise MacLeod, who works for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland as the Community, Events and Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We wish Craig the very best ahead of his challenging fundraiser.

“Craig’s story is a great example of the importance of looking after yourself when living with a chest, heart or stroke condition. One of the key points in our new No Life half Lived strategy is helping people to live their lives well.

“Fundraising events like this help us to support the one in five people across the country who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”

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