Country music star Michael English has urged people not to take their health for granted after revealing a shock heart attack earlier this year taught him the importance of regular check ups.
Michael English for RSVP Country
Michael English is one of the most familiar and popular figures in Irish country music, but even after all these years, his enthusiasm for the job remains intact.
Whether he’s playing packed dancehalls, theatre shows, festivals or the increasingly popular church concerts that have become a hallmark of recent years, the Kildare-based singer still approaches every performance with the same energy and gratitude as when he first set out.
However, the performer admits the past year has taught him both the importance of balance and not taking your health for granted.
The star experienced a mild heart attack earlier this year, and he admits it took him completely by surprise, as he never would have believed himself at risk of such a thing.
Michael told RSVP Country: “Back in February I had a setback – a bit of a wake-up call really. It was a shock to me and to many others because I’m relatively young though I probably act even younger.
“I didn’t take too long off, the doctors gave me the green light to get back to work, and nothing has changed in terms of touring, but I’ve learned about balance. When I’m off now, I’m off.
“Because to me that really is the key, even for your mental wellbeing, you have to have a balance, but definitely for your physical health that balance has to be there.”
Michael revealed that given the mild nature of the heart attack he was quickly back at work, and could have carried on as if nothing had happened and not told anyone.
But he admitted he wanted to use his platform to share some much needed awareness.
Michael said: “To be honest, I could have said nothing. I only had to cancel a handful of shows. I could have said nothing, but I chose to speak about it.
“I spoke about it not for sympathy, but in case it might help someone else. Especially men – we don’t get checked enough, we put it on the long finger.
“It’s no harm to get a [health check] once a year. I got up as normal that morning. I never expected it. I’m not overweight, I look after myself, I walk, I try to eat well.
“But it happened – and it was a wake-up call. I addressed it, created balance, and I feel great.”
And while the incident was a shock, Michael admits the balance he has gained in his life has had nothing but positivity and only made him more passionate about his career which he loves so much.
The singer added: “That one day off now gives me energy for the next. Before, everything was rolling into each other and even though I was enjoying it, now I come back with a bit more fire in me.”
- Read this interview with Michael English in the Summer edition of RSVP Country on shelves now. Check out michaelenglish.com and @michaelenglishmusic on Instagram for the latest concert dates.
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