July 02, 2017

Exciting times ahead (and the future of Road to Zest)

July 02, 2017/ Johanna Galea

As I published my recent blog post, Dermot and I knew some (or most) of you would understand what I was referring to when I said that the path to reaching one of our long-term goals will be slightly different from the way we initially thought it would be but that we’re so excited that we are eventually going to get there. I’d love to eventually be able to show anyone on similar journeys that they’re not alone. But as exciting as our next steps are, with everything that’s going on, I’ve decided that rather than continuing to publish a blog post every Sunday, I will post as and when the time feels right. Here’s why.

June 04, 2017

Why we should all be kind to each other

June 04, 2017/ Johanna Galea

As we await the election results in Malta today, I came across this quote by Ellen DeGeneres and it rang so true. “I would love for the world to be happier. I think it's our one thing that we all share. We focus so much on our differences and that is creating, I think, a lot of chaos and negativity and bullying in the world. And I think: what if everybody focused on what we all have in common -- which is -- we all want to be happy.” And here’s why we should all be kind to each other, not only today in Malta but in life in general. It can really change things for all of us.

May 21, 2017

My reflections as Road to Zest turns 1

May 21, 2017/ Johanna Galea

Road to Zest turns 1 this weekend. So today I’d really like to thank you for joining me on my journey this year and for your support always. A year ago as I published my first blog post I had no idea what to expect, but I remember thinking that if I could give just one person hope that he/she could recover the way I did, it would make it all worthwhile.So a year later it feels really amazing to have spoken to quite a few people who have started or are planning to start or considering starting DNRS after reading about my recovery. And here’s a look back at the 10 most popular posts this year and why I need your help for the coming year.

April 16, 2017

How being chronically ill taught me to really live in the moment

April 16, 2017/ Johanna Galea

I was out for a run in Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago and as the sun was rising, the scene was so beautiful that I kept stopping to take photos. I kept promising myself that each photo would be the last and that then I would get on with my run. But I just couldn’t do it. And I laughed at myself for stopping so many times. But I also laughed a bit at my old self: the person who wouldn’t have allowed herself to stop. Who would have wanted the run to be so “perfect” that she would hardly even have noticed the beauty of the sun and the sea. And so in a strange way I’m grateful for having been chronically ill. Because it really taught me how to slow down – or even stop – and be in the moment and enjoy the beauty around me. Here’s how things changed for me and how you too can start to really live in the moment.

April 02, 2017

15 quotes for some extra motivation when the going gets tough

April 02, 2017/ Johanna Galea

Being in London for a short holiday with my parents really reminds me how lucky I am to have been given a second chance at life. But things weren’t – and still aren’t – always easy because sometimes life just happens, as it does for all of us. So here’s a collection of 15 quotes which always help to motivate me when the going gets tough.

March 19, 2017

9 things I'm grateful for as I celebrate my 3rd birthday since the onset of my chronic illness

March 19, 2017/ Johanna Galea

I wrote this blog post as I was celebrating my 32nd birthday, which was also my 3rd since the onset of my mysterious chronic illness. As it was also my 1st birthday since recovering fully through DNRS, I thought it was a good time to make a list of things I'm grateful for, since the whole journey made me realise how many things I took for granted before my illness started. So here’s my 32nd birthday gratitude list.

February 19, 2017

15 uplifting quotes for when you’re feeling down

February 19, 2017/ Johanna Galea

I know no one likes being ill. But after being chronically ill for so long and then recovering, things like colds and flu upset me a bit more than they should and a bit more than they used to. And since this cold has been dragging on for over a week, I’m not in the best of moods today. So instead of one of my usual blog posts, here’s a collection of 15 uplifting quotes which always cheer me up when I’m feeling down.

Photo by Rene Rossignaud Photography

February 12, 2017

Here’s why I can’t wait for the BRND WGN & University Ring Road Races (and 10 reasons you should be there too)

February 12, 2017/ Johanna Galea

Don’t let this photo mislead you. I won’t be taking part in the BRND WGN & University Ring Road Races this year. This photo actually shows the only time I ever actually ran in one of the races on the day. It was tough having to switch back to organiser mode as soon as I finished my leg of the relay and tagged my colleague Louis, who was up next. So this year, much as I’d love to run it again, I’ll “just” be sticking to the role of organiser. But being able to plan the races last year and then even getting to be there was a big defining point in my recovery. So here’s why I can’t wait for the BRND WGN & University Ring Road Races (and 10 reasons you should be there too).

Photo by Jeffrey Cassar

October 30, 2016

Laugh every day and live a longer (and happier) life

October 30, 2016/ Johanna Galea

Last Friday was a really special day for us. We had the launch of my father’s first book and our dear niece Elise’s christening. Here’s my take on the book, why the book launch was so special, why Dermot and I ended up running in Valletta – Dermot in his suit and me in my dress and carrying my shoes – and why laughter is so incredibly good for you.

October 02, 2016

Knowing when to let go: Why I’m no longer a triathlete

October 02, 2016/ Johanna Galea

Thinking about today’s Malta National Triathlon Championships reminded me of something I had written in 2014, months after choosing to stop being a triathlete. Although much of this post is about my decision to no longer be a triathlete, it’s also about any big changes we choose to make in our lives. And about how we should embrace such changes and always remember the reasons we decided to make the change. About feeling nostalgic, but knowing when to let go. Enjoying it while it lasts, but then being able to look back on it as a beautiful time while being able to redefine yourself without it.

September 04, 2016

When closed roads lead to nicer routes

September 04, 2016/ Johanna Galea

Finding closed roads when we're trying to get somewhere tends to lead to frustration but can end up leading us to discover nicer routes. And here's how things changed for me by being made to take a different life path. More than anything, I learned to stop rushing through life but rather to take the time to appreciate how beautiful life is.

Photo by Rene Rossignaud Photography

August 21, 2016

5 things I intend to do differently now that I’ve been given a second chance at life

August 21, 2016/ Johanna Galea

After a year of being chronically ill, I feel so lucky to have been given a second chance at life. And I’m definitely going to make the most of this second chance. Just by doing these 5 things differently, I now go to sleep happier every day, even on the more challenging days.

August 07, 2016

Standing among survivors, forming a v for victory

August 07, 2016/ Johanna Galea

"Every story has its worth. To fall down, pick yourself up and carry on. That's survival.”
– Sarah Cachia, Jacob aka Titanium Man's mother

When Sarah asked me to be in the final group photo for the Survivors Malta calendar, I almost said no. Here's why I almost said no and why I'm so glad I didn't.

July 31, 2016

7 life lessons I learned from my recent whiplash injury

July 31, 2016/ Johanna Galea

The day after I took part in my first race, I ended up with a whiplash injury. But I’m much better now and these are the 7 life lessons I’ve learned from this whiplash injury (as well as the embarrassing details of how I got injured - not what you're thinking I'm sure).
Photo by Rebekah Kamsky Photography

June 26, 2016

Has a stranger's kindness ever changed your life?

June 26, 2016/ Johanna Galea

In this blog post I explain how Charlene Mercieca, young artisan soap maker, owner of Soap Café and extremely inspirational woman, made an overwhelming time in my life infinitely easier. Charlene not only showed me how a stranger's kindness can change someone's life but also how important it is for us to always be kind to others.
Photo by Matt @ Hush Studios

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