10/09/2026
With today being and also marking 8 years since I was rushed into hospital for emergency bowel surgery, is there a better time to remind you all about why I am so passionate about mental health, resilience and helping people improve their mindset.
Eight years ago today, after years of stress, worry and undoubtedly the effects of PTSD from my time in the Army, my body finally gave me one hell of a warning, one I should of listened to a year previous (another post, another day) as life always will.
I'd been back and forth to my doctors with pains in the right side of my abdomen, numerous tests, blood, urine and poo samples, yet nothing was picked up.
Until my 7th visit and thw triage nurse a friend whod seen me the very first time saw me in the reception, her face said it all.😳
Eventually I was admitted to hospital.
A specialist looking at my records in disbelief id not been admitted 6 weeks earliet turned and said
“Where have you been for the last six weeks, Mr Chilton? You're a very lucky man. Normally blood markers that high are fatal.” Providing nothing serious happens I've cleared my diary you're on the operation table first thing tomorrow morning.
That resulted in having 11cm of my large colon removed, including 9cm of infected and lacerated bowel, 6 cm of ulcerative bowel and a 3x4cm abscess.
Then I was also diagnosed with an incurable called Crohn's disease.
Canny ole trip to hospital for Juss. 🤣
I was told my life could change dramatically. Fatigue, depression, flares, eating problems, medication, frequent toilet visits and potentially even a colostomy bag.
I asked surgeon what was best case scenario and told him that would be me.
He smiled and said, “Let's hope so.” but with that look that says they doubted it.
It was meant to be a minimum of 6 months recovery.
I was back training and at work within 4 months.
In those 4 months I did a hell of a lot contemplating and delved deeper than I presently was into the power of the mind, alternative medicine as they call natural methods and the workings of universal laws. It all blew my mind.
Life just got better and better I had a renewed zest for life and just how gifted I was.
But life had another huge challenge in store for me and in 2023 my Dad sadly took his own life, well he attempted to but failed initially but died around 10 weeks later (again a whole other post in itself)
Along with several other crazy life defining shall we say things thats happened during my time so far, it was the major reason that when I ran the London Marathon in his memory and to raise awareness for combat stress that journey im on today started, rounding the cirner by Buckingham Palace the idea of Keep A Hold came to me.
Ultimately to help prevent people making permanent solution to whats normally temporary conditions.
Because I've experienced first-hand what life can throw at you, and I've also experienced what can happen when you choose to keep moving forward and as our catchphrase says " "
Someone once said to me, in a fairly derogatory way
“Why do people like you, who are always trying to put the world right, always seem to have some mad, elaborate story?”
Well... maybe I do have a story but to me its not mad its just my life I'm not trying to be elaborate or woe is me I'm just using it as life experience to back up the message.
Life will throw curveballs. Some will be brutal.
You don't get to choose everything that happens to you, but you do get to choose how you respond.
As I turn 56 in 6 days time life's never been better, I'm massively in love with my wife and Josh, who is a fantastic son, im gifted with a great supportive family, i have a very successful business, I'm 100% fitter and healthier than I've ever been and in great nick not just for my age I'd say; But most importantly.......
I'm at peace with my both myself and the past.
I absolutely love life.
So if you're struggling, don't suffer in silence.
Talk. Reach out. Ask for help.
Permanent solutions to temporary situations don't remove the pain. They simply move it on to those left behind.
I've included the pics for some perspective and to allow the Army lads to take the p**s from behind their pregnant looking bellies 🤣🤣
The bottom-left photo is just for them, me absolutely flexing, I'm waiting for the inevitable troops so don't let me down, for that's the real secret to life...
Don't take yourself or it to seriously coz non of us are getting out alive 😉
