Date: Wednesday May 22, 2019 at 11:03am
Having been asked
to write a few words for you dear reader…I’ve spent a few nights lying awake,
thinking how to start, where to begin, do I start with BFBS Radio?
Growing up in Germany? Being Mentally Ill? The list goes on. I then came
to the conclusion to give a quick intro…and see where that takes me.
My Dad served 23
years, first with the Royal Engineers, then RLC as a postie. As a result,
I grew up in Germany and it was awesome! I miss the food, the Rhine Army Summer
Show, the food, the Autobahns, and the Food. As a child, all we had to
watch was SSVC TV, and to listen to…BFBS. Seeing the team on stage at the
RASS and other events, it sparked something inside me - I no longer just wanted
to be an Astronaut…but now a DJ.
Unlike Tim Peake,
and to the recommendations of a few teachers (all) at Windsor School,
JHQ, I had to put my Astronaut dreams to one side…and focus on something
I was good at - Talking!
Fast forward 16
years, and here I am writing to you, all whilst Tim Peake prepares for his 2nd
Space flight grrrrr. To be fair…what 16 years it's been. Travelling
the forces world and presenting radio shows to those who share the same sense
of humour. I’ve been to Kosovo, Bosnia, Falklands (3 times…I know), Iraq
(twice), Belize (still recovering), Canada, Gibraltar, Germany, Northern
Ireland, Cyprus, and now currently at Catterick.
Highlights include
trying to enter the Guinness Book of Records for bean flicking, Being quietly
‘spoken to’ about contacting the White House and Downing Street about my
concern over the squirrel population and sharing my theory that they are
planning to overtake the human race, and the one thing most people will
remember me for - Hide the Banana, all for the sake of good entertaining
radio!
On the serious side
of radio - My absolute highlights would be covering the Somme 100 and
Passchendaele 100 Commemorations in France / Belgium. Getting emotional
on Facebook Live at the Menin Gate, taking time out to reflect at the Thiepval
Memorial to the Missing, walking amongst the graves at Tyne Cot Cemetery - all
places I recommend visiting. I can’t help but think of those pristine
Portland Stone Headstones, and the names on the memorials and wonder what those
heroes would think of the world we live in today - I can’t imagine it being
positive. I think part of my mission in life is to make sure they didn’t
make the ultimate sacrifice in vain…something I think everyone should
honour.
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I’m also, as you
may have seen earlier, mentally Ill. I suffer PTSD and have done for 13
years as a result of an incident in Iraq. I take pride in my openness
about my suffering, often referring to it on air, in an effort to raise
awareness of the support that is out there to those who are yet to reach
out. I’m now an Ambassador for Help for Heroes, I go out and about to
events, and talk about living with Mental Illness, something that won’t be
cured, but with the right tools - controlled. Let’s be honest - all
demons can be soothed and controlled (you may argue that…but have you at least
tried?), the biggest step is asking for help on how to. Reaching out is
the ONE thing I am most proud of in life, and if you’re suffering, at the very
least - please consider taking that step…It’s not easy, I’ve been there, but
admitting to yourself ‘I need help’ is already a big part of that
journey.
As I prepare to
hang up my headphones and try something new in the big big world outside of the
MOD Bubble…I find myself in the same shoes as countless others who are ending
their careers, maybe even yourself reading this magazine - what next?
I’ve attended BFRS Careers Exhibitions, spoken to most of those present…there
is soo much out there it’s ridiculous! As a teacher once told me ‘It
doesn’t take a good education to get far in life, but 100% effort,
determination and good manners. Using that advice…I’m still waiting for
NASA to get back to me after sending off my CV. I’ll keep you posted.