Paul

I’m Paul, I’m 37, based in Dorset and am an Online Personal Trainer (PT) and Nutritionist. Back in 2021 I began experiencing a number of symptoms that almost came from nowhere.

I was struggling with very constant palpitations, dizziness, racing heat rate and breathlessness. I’ve always experienced going dizzy when standing and random pains in my chest but it’s never really impacted me day to day, so I assumed it’s something everyone experienced.

The new symptoms were getting worse, I was unable to train in the gym how I was used to, and symptoms brought  on when training could last well over an hour before the dizziness and racing heart began to subside.

It took around 18 months of tests, heart monitors and hospital visits before my cardiologist finally gave me a diagnosis of PoTS. I found it really hard to process, going from someone who played a lot of football, as a goalkeeper, and trained a lot to a high intensity. It felt like in the blink of an eye it all changed.

My symptoms are currently managed by diet and hydration. Daily use of electrolytes has brought a lot of stability with my symptoms. Whilst I can’t train to the same intensity as before, I have managed to adapt my gym training enough that I have been able to train legs again, after 2 years of not being able to. I’ve also returned to playing football without any issues in the last few months, which has been such a big boost for my mental health.

PoTS has undoubtedly changed my life, my training approach, and impacts me day to day. But, now I understand my condition better and how to manage it I am beginning to return to many things I thought I’d never be able to do again.

I also share PoTS related content on my social channels as a PT with PoTS. I think it’s important to help people with the condition to see that it doesn’t have to mean an end to training in the gym, taking part in sports and doing things you enjoy.