Reclaiming oneself: Returning to riding after heart problems

A long-distance bike ride can be challenging for healthy persons, let alone, for those recovering from any serious illness. But that didn’t stop Girish Shet from overcoming the hurdles posed by serious heart disease to pursue his passion for riding.

During the lockdown against the coronavirus, Girish Shet was diagnosed with a heart problem and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Soon after recovering from his condition, he vowed to keep doing his favourite activities.

Girish has been through more than most and “returning to riding bikes has been tough both physically and emotionally”, he says.

Unexpected Diagnosis

In February this year, Girish experienced pain after short walks, which he mistook for exhaustion. As a result of which he was immediately rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a heart condition.

Soon after being discharged from the hospital, with regular exercise and a healthy diet Girish is now recovering.

Girish Shet who has an MBA from Ireland currently works for a reputed Automobile Magazine. Not only that, he also has a YouTube channel where he publishes videos on safety gear and reviews various products, and documents his journey.

Recently, he embarked on a 2000kms long bike journey, which he claims to be “Reclaiming Myself Ride,” from Mangaluru to Amby Valley (Maharashtra) where he attended the India Bike Week 2021.

Before the incident, Girish has traveled across the world, from driving across Europe to riding all the way to Nepal and Tibet. Started traveling at the age of sixteen, Girish now 40, thrives on the joys of traveling.

Talking about his time in Ireland, Girish said, ” I wanted to explore the places and make those implementations in India,” He spent about three years abroad and on his return started working at Radio FM in Mangaluru and later moved to Bengaluru. For the past three years, he’s been working for an automobile magazine.

The 2000kms of the solo ride was his mission to Reclaim himself by returning back to the “normal life of bikes and travel.” He also aims to create awareness in people with heart disease, as he continues to follow his passion for following a healthy lifestyle.