Interview with Angus Jenkins

Read this true story about Angus who has battled cancer through his relentless positivity

Tell me about your story with cancer
It was on the eve of my 35th birthday when I got the diagnosis. Six months prior to this though, I was on holiday in Goa in India and noticed some swelling in my leg. I laughed it off saying I had probably been bitten yet the swelling didn’t go down and only increased back home in London. I also noticed other mis-alignments in my health which was unusual for me. I saw various medical professionals over subsequent months trying to get to the bottom of it. I knew something was really wrong. I just had a feeling. It was then confirmed by those shocking three words, “you have cancer”. Almost immediately, I said, “well, when do I start treatment?” Three days later on the Monday was the response. I then walked out to take in the news. Outside the hospital, I burst into tears. It wasn’t the actual diagnosis or treatment that worried me, it was how I was going to tell my dear mum, partner and friends. I had 20 of them en route to my home for a birthday get together at home. I forewarned them that they wouldn’t like what they were going to hear and all I needed was their love and support. It wasn’t exactly the most typical of my speech topics! The next few years were probably unremarkable for cancer patients – rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and check-ups. I had decided from the start that although I had cancer, cancer did not have me and I would do everything I could to rid this disease. At some level, I believed, there was “ dis-ease” with myself and, therefore, I could make good. I also refused to die of cancer! I fostered this healthy, positive attitude throughout my treatment. It kept me going. I am a very positive and energetic person anyway, so guess this did come naturally to me. However, it is still a choice. Everyone has a choice in life to make and I chose positivity. I continued to work throughout treatment and life as normal as possible. I didn’t give up. I saw other patients who had lost the faith. To be honest, it’s faith in themselves, not God or anyone else, just themselves. I wasn’t going to do that. You have to stand tall and have the upmost faith in yourself. Be kind to yourself above all else. I had really bad days, of course I did. Everyone does as we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. It comes down to how you bring yourself back up. I always pulled myself in and upwards. We are all imperfect beings – everyone can learn and make changes. I think my positive attitude was heightened by my experience with cancer. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I really think this is a great saying and so true.

What role does eating healthily play in your life?
It plays a massive role and always has. I eat well and don’t follow any diets as don’t necessarily believe they’re the healthiest in the long term. I believe in eating everything, especially fresh natural foods such as vegetables and lean protein and I eat in moderation. I have my treats and I drink alcohol. I love salads and have a big bowl of salad for most lunches in my working week. During my cancer treatment, I juiced a lot of beetroot, carrot, apple, turmeric and ginger and avoided sugar, alcohol and large amounts of diary. I like eating seasonally and love the fact that New Zealand has such great seasonable choices.

What role does exercise play in your life?

Angus with his treasured mum

I am active. I am not obsessed by exercise and prioritise sleep over it. I enjoy the gym and do a lot of walking. I take the stairs rather than use the lifts and walk around the office as much as I can to keep active at work. I love dancing and find it so liberating – there’s nothing better than being on the dance floor with friends, all laughing and having a great time!

You seem like a very positive person. How do you remain positive each day?
I am naturally a positive person and have a very sunny disposition with lots of energy. I remain positive though through choice. I am very grateful for what I have in my life. I’ve learned to be grateful for everything in life and to take the rough with the smooth. I appreciate where I am living, my family, friends and everyone I work with. I appreciate and am in awe of life. Going through cancer was hard but it paled by comparison to recently ending a 16 year relationship and enduring the fallout. This was the most challenging thing I endured in my life so far and almost broke me. I called upon everything I’ve learned about taking responsibility, remaining positive and acting with positive intention to get through it. Ironically, the most challenging things that have happened to me in my life have made me even more positive!

What role does gratitude play in your life?
Gratitude plays a very big part in my life, I am very grateful for being alive every single day. I am a spiritual person who believes in the greater good and that there is a connection and meaning to everything. I meditate, take time out and reflect a lot which helps me appreciate what I have, what I do and who I am. I only have to look out of my apartment window here in Auckland at the amazing view of the Viaduct and the boats, see the sunset and people holding hands walking by to feel grateful. Being grateful is the source of true happiness.

What role does sleep play in your life? Do you value it and do you think it’s vital for radiant health?
Absolutely it is. I prioritise it and do sleep well. I have a wind down routine most nights. I have a filter on my phone and laptop to reduce the amount of blue light. I drink chamomile tea and ensure that I switch off all electronic equipment at least an hour before going to bed. I now also go on to my balcony, breath it all in and have some quiet time to relax the mind.

Angus carrying the Olympic torch in London in 2012

A lot of people out there really struggle with balance in their life in the modern day. You seem to have your life nicely balanced with a good career, home, friends and social life. How do you maintain a good balance?
I maintain a good balance through choice. I personally choose to not let work take over my life. I am not one of these types of people who is forever checking their work phone. When I leave work, I leave work and when I am on holiday, I turn my phone off. I believe in work–life integration not work–life balance as to me, both these things need to work together to make you happy, not balance each other. They need to be entwined. I love my friends and family dearly and always make them a priority in life.

What role does relaxation play in your life? Do you do anything in particular to relax and switch off from life?
Relaxation plays a big part and I do need my space and time out, as everyone does. I love socialising with friends and also space to reflect and regroup. I have learned to appreciate my own company more. I think everyone should make downtime a priority in their life in whichever way it is most needed and useful to them.

Has having cancer changed you?
Absolutely. I am now an even more positive person who is strong, resilient and learned. I am astounded by how resilient human beings actually are and how the human body has the capability to heal and bounce back. It truly is remarkable. Apparently, my experience has inspired lots of people, I’ve done various talks and interviews which is very touching. In fact, I was also chosen to carry the Olympic torch in London which was a complete honour and a reflection of how anyone can overcome the odds. Having cancer has changed me for the better.

Read this true story about Angus who has battled cancer through his relentless positivity

 
Tell me about your story with cancer
It was on the eve of my 35th birthday when I got the diagnosis. Six months prior to this though, I was on holiday in Goa in India and noticed some swelling in my leg. I laughed it off saying I had probably been bitten yet the swelling didn’t go down and only increased back home in London. I also noticed other mis-alignments in my health which was unusual for me. I saw various medical professionals over subsequent months trying to get to the bottom of it. I knew something was really wrong. I just had a feeling. It was then confirmed by those shocking three words, “you have cancer”. Almost immediately, I said, “well, when do I start treatment?” Three days later on the Monday was the response. I then walked out to take in the news. Outside the hospital, I burst into tears. It wasn’t the actual diagnosis or treatment that worried me, it was how I was going to tell my dear mum, partner and friends. I had 20 of them en route to my home for a birthday get together at home. I forewarned them that they wouldn’t like what they were going to hear and all I needed was their love and support. It wasn’t exactly the most typical of my speech topics! The next few years were probably unremarkable for cancer patients – rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and check-ups. I had decided from the start that although I had cancer, cancer did not have me and I would do everything I could to rid this disease. At some level, I believed, there was “ dis-ease” with myself and, therefore, I could make good. I also refused to die of cancer! I fostered this healthy, positive attitude throughout my treatment. It kept me going. I am a very positive and energetic person anyway, so guess this did come naturally to me. However, it is still a choice. Everyone has a choice in life to make and I chose positivity. I continued to work throughout treatment and life as normal as possible. I didn’t give up. I saw other patients who had lost the faith. To be honest, it’s faith in themselves, not God or anyone else, just themselves. I wasn’t going to do that. You have to stand tall and have the upmost faith in yourself. Be kind to yourself above all else. I had really bad days, of course I did. Everyone does as we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. It comes down to how you bring yourself back up. I always pulled myself in and upwards. We are all imperfect beings – everyone can learn and make changes. I think my positive attitude was heightened by my experience with cancer. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I really think this is a great saying and so true.

What role does eating healthily play in your life?
It plays a massive role and always has. I eat well and don’t follow any diets as don’t necessarily believe they’re the healthiest in the long term. I believe in eating everything, especially fresh natural foods such as vegetables and lean protein and I eat in moderation. I have my treats and I drink alcohol. I love salads and have a big bowl of salad for most lunches in my working week. During my cancer treatment, I juiced a lot of beetroot, carrot, apple, turmeric and ginger and avoided sugar, alcohol and large amounts of diary. I like eating seasonally and love the fact that New Zealand has such great seasonable choices.

What role does exercise play in your life?

I am active. I am not obsessed by exercise and prioritise sleep over it. I enjoy the gym and do a lot of walking. I take the stairs rather than use the lifts and walk around the office as much as I can to keep active at work. I love dancing and find it so liberating – there’s nothing better than being on the dance floor with friends, all laughing and having a great time!

Angus with his treasured mum

You seem like a very positive person. How do you remain positive each day?
I am naturally a positive person and have a very sunny disposition with lots of energy. I remain positive though through choice. I am very grateful for what I have in my life. I’ve learned to be grateful for everything in life and to take the rough with the smooth. I appreciate where I am living, my family, friends and everyone I work with. I appreciate and am in awe of life. Going through cancer was hard but it paled by comparison to recently ending a 16 year relationship and enduring the fallout. This was the most challenging thing I endured in my life so far and almost broke me. I called upon everything I’ve learned about taking responsibility, remaining positive and acting with positive intention to get through it. Ironically, the most challenging things that have happened to me in my life have made me even more positive!

What role does gratitude play in your life?
Gratitude plays a very big part in my life, I am very grateful for being alive every single day. I am a spiritual person who believes in the greater good and that there is a connection and meaning to everything. I meditate, take time out and reflect a lot which helps me appreciate what I have, what I do and who I am. I only have to look out of my apartment window here in Auckland at the amazing view of the Viaduct and the boats, see the sunset and people holding hands walking by to feel grateful. Being grateful is the source of true happiness.

What role does sleep play in your life? Do you value it and do you think it’s vital for radiant health?
Absolutely it is. I prioritise it and do sleep well. I have a wind down routine most nights. I have a filter on my phone and laptop to reduce the amount of blue light. I drink chamomile tea and ensure that I switch off all electronic equipment at least an hour before going to bed. I now also go on to my balcony, breath it all in and have some quiet time to relax the mind.

A lot of people out there really struggle with balance in their life in the modern day. You seem to have your life nicely balanced with a good career, home, friends and social life. How do you maintain a good balance?
I maintain a good balance through choice. I personally choose to not let work take over my life. I am not one of these types of people who is forever checking their work phone. When I leave work, I leave work and when I am on holiday, I turn my phone off. I believe in work–life integration not work–life balance as to me, both these things need to work together to make you happy, not balance each other. They need to be entwined. I love my friends and family dearly and always make them a priority in life.

What role does relaxation play in your life? Do you do anything in particular to relax and switch off from life?
Relaxation plays a big part and I do need my space and time out, as everyone does. I love socialising with friends and also space to reflect and regroup. I have learned to appreciate my own company more. I think everyone should make downtime a priority in their life in whichever way it is most needed and useful to them.

Has having cancer changed you?
Absolutely. I am now an even more positive person who is strong, resilient and learned. I am astounded by how resilient human beings actually are and how the human body has the capability to heal and bounce back. It truly is remarkable. Apparently, my experience has inspired lots of people, I’ve done various talks and interviews which is very touching. In fact, I was also chosen to carry the Olympic torch in London which was a complete honour and a reflection of how anyone can overcome the odds. Having cancer has changed me for the better.

Angus carrying the Olympic torch in London in 2012