To appreciate how far you have come, you need only look to your past

Once again I find myself apologising for not writting a blog for over a month!

Once again a poor excuse is life has been so BUSY!!

The last few months have been mad! Speaking as a patient advocate for Convatec, speaking at ASCN (association of Stoma Care Nurses exhibition), being asked to be a 2015 #Decembeard Ambassador, attending some awesome events and beingnphotographed by @garconjon.  Then being able to work with Just For Men to accelerate this project! Wow! 

And that's just the really exciting stuff...include the (what has now become normal) numerous races and events, Nuclear Tasters  (sharing my love of mud with others). Again who would've thought that these activities would just be classed as my #normallife

Whilst recently talking to a good friend they asked how long I had been blogging. Seems it has been over 2 years. Time really does fly when you are having fun!

I looked back at some posts and found a post from October 2013. It was a milestone in my journey to that point. After finishing one of my first OCR'S I had walked back to the car 'bag out'

This may not sound like much compared to my 2015 exploits...but then, I assure you this was a big point in my life.

Take a read:

http://mudbagrunner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/back-from-trenches.html?m=1

What a difference time makes. In 2015 I write a blog post on National Ostomy Awareness day on how I was asked to be an Ostomist model...for UNDERWEAR! That photoshoot, what those images meant to me was another significant part of my journey!

Missed that one too??  😉

Have a read or reread

http://mudbagrunner.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/body-confidence.html?m=1

I never would of imagined this is where my journey would of taken me. I'm excited to see where my journey will take me in the next 2 years!

With the #decembeard Just For Men project about to start...HELL I'm excited what the next 2 weeks may bring!!!

Watch this space...It's going to be a MAD few weeks!!

Just For Men #Mantime

So...That's it. My fly on the wall videoing for Just for Men has finished.

I've submitted all my videos and so far feedback has been good. The agency are happy. :)

They have actually been great. No pressure but infinite support. I still can't believe that my Beardy journey is of interest to anyone.

Without giving too much away (cause you have to watch the campaign!) The videos document my journey regrow ing my beard and sharing my stories about beating bowel cancer.

I also got to try JFM Beard and moustache for the first time (FYI I'm a convert!)

I won't lie (I never do) some of the filming was tough. Bringing back some memories. Not memories I'd blocked but some I hadn't considered for the last 8 years.

I just hope that..well...me being me hits the spot for JFM. Having access to share my story and use their social network is HUGE!!

We are only a few weeks away from Decembeard 2015 so my just giving page is set and ready.

However this year I am calling on my Beardy brothers to join 'My Team' so sign up raise some donations.

Someone is diagnosed with Bowel Cancer every 15 minutes, yet 90% of all cases diagnosed early are successfully treated. Proving that early diagnosis really does save lives....IT SAVED MINE!

So either sign up to my team or donate....either way you could be making a REAL difference in someone's life

https://www.justgiving.com/Mud-Bag-Runner-Decembeard-2015.