How a Broken Heart Inspired a Movement

23 Sept

In life, we all face moments that test us, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, and often both. For many of us, these moments arrive suddenly, forcing us to stop, reflect, and choose how we respond.

For Tony Eames, Co-Founder of Total Active Hub, that moment began with a broken heart. Not the heartbreak of love, but the literal fragility of his own heart. His journey has become a reminder that movement is not just about fitness, it’s about life, resilience, and connection.

The Story - by Tony

My first memory is from when I was four years old. I collapsed suddenly, and that was the start of a journey filled with what I can only describe as “mini heart attacks.” From the ages of 4 to 11, any burst of adrenaline, a game in the playground, a shock, even laughter, could trigger an episode. Looking back now as a father of three, I realise just how strong my parents were to endure those years. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, kids are resilient, we carry on, but my mum and dad were watching their son collapse almost daily, never knowing if he would get back up.

The defining moment came during a badminton game. Just two points in, I collapsed. Normally, I would regain consciousness in a few seconds, this time, I was out cold for 45 minutes. I was rushed into further tests, and for the first time doctors uncovered what had been happening all those years: I had a rare condition called sudden death heart syndrome. For more than seven years I’d been unknowingly having hundreds of mini heart attacks, living on a knife-edge without even realising it.

The years that followed were full of interventions, treatments, and terrifying episodes. One of the most frightening was after an operation, when I became temporarily paralysed. I could hear everything, my brain was alert, but my body refused to move and I couldn’t speak. I remember trying desperately to tell my mum how scared I was, eventually scrawling the words “Mum, I can’t talk, I’m scared.” Her reply, “I’m scared too,” is something I will never forget. That moment stripped life down to its rawest truth: how fragile we are, and how precious every heartbeat really is.

Despite the medication and the operations, my heart kept rebelling. In the lead up to my A levels, my resting heart rate plummeted to 38 beats per minute. Doctors told me the only option left was a pacemaker. I was devastated. I was just weeks away from my exams, months away from university, and I wanted to be like everyone else. A pacemaker felt like the end of normality.

But I made one promise to myself: I would never hide it. I would embrace it, own it, and tell people about it. My pacemaker was not a weakness; it was part of my story. That decision changed everything. What could have been a symbol of limitation instead became a source of strength.

Tony Eames - Co-Founder Total Active Hub

When I look back now, I believe every one of those challenges gave me a gift: perspective. I learned that health is not something to take for granted. I learned that resilience is built in the moments when life feels most fragile. And I learned that physical health, and especially movement, is one of the most powerful tools we have.

For me, movement is not optional. It is the difference between life and death, between surviving and thriving. Movement became my way of taking back control, of choosing life every single day.

That belief is now my mission. It’s why I co-founded Total Active Hub, to make movement accessible, purposeful, and shared. Because movement isn’t just about exercise. It’s about connection, resilience, and unlocking the energy to live fully.

My broken heart has inspired my tomorrow. And it is what inspires me every day to help others embrace the power of movement.

Why Movement Matters for All of Us

Tony’s story is deeply personal, but its message is universal. Movement isn’t only about overcoming extreme health challenges, it’s about how we all show up in our daily lives.

Movement fuels mental health: Regular physical activity has been proven to reduce stress, lift mood, and improve resilience. It gives us a release when life feels overwhelming.
Movement builds connection: Walking, playing, or exercising together creates a bond. It brings people out of isolation and into community.
Movement drives performance: From sharper focus at work to higher energy with our families, moving more changes how we perform in every aspect of life.

The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week, yet many of us struggle to achieve it. Work, routines, and distractions get in the way. But as Tony’s story shows, the cost of not moving isn’t just lost fitness, it’s lost potential.

Story Takeaways

Tony’s story shows us how even the hardest challenges can become the fuel for something bigger. Here’s what we can learn from him:

Embrace adversity: What could have been a limit became Tony’s purpose. Your setbacks can become the foundations of your strength.
Movement is medicine: Physical activity is more than fitness, it has the power to heal, connect, and energise us every day.
Be open about your story: Tony chose not to hide his pacemaker. Sharing your story can turn vulnerability into impact.
Purpose drives resilience: When you find your “why,” you find the strength to keep going, no matter how tough the road.

Conclusion

Life will test us in ways we cannot predict. For Tony, those tests came early, but they built the foundation for a mission much bigger than himself. His broken heart didn’t end his story, it became the start of a movement.

Movement is life. It strengthens not just our bodies but our minds and our communities. And as Tony’s story reminds us, the very thing that once held you back can become the reason you help others move forward.

Reflection question

How can you use the power of movement, whether a walk, a stretch, or a shared activity, to build strength in your life today?

More on Tony and Total Active Hub

Check out Tony’s moving reflection on his story HERE … it really is worth watching.

Click HERE for more on Total Active Hub, a platform designed to help people and organisations embed inclusive, long-term movement into daily life.

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