The Day my heart got rewired..
The Day My Heart Got Rewired
Most people who know me see the coach, the athlete, the organiser, the one who’s always moving, always planning, always pushing the community forward. What they don’t always see is the history behind that drive — the health scares, the setbacks, the rebuilds, the reasons I take fitness and resilience so seriously.
This week was another chapter in that story.
I had a cardiac ablation — a full cryo + radiofrequency procedure to deal with the electrical issues I’ve been managing for a long time. It wasn’t a small day. It wasn’t a routine check‑up. It was a full reset of the wiring inside my heart.
And I want to talk about it properly — not for sympathy, not for drama, but because transparency matters. Because people look at me as a coach and assume I’m bulletproof. Because some of you are dealing with your own health battles and need to know you’re not alone. And because my family, my athletes, and my community deserve the full picture.
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A Bit of Background
I’ve lived a life that’s required resilience.
I’ve had sepsis before — the kind that knocks you flat and reminds you how fragile the body can be. I’ve had heart rhythm issues that have followed me for years, sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly. I’ve trained through them, managed them, adapted around them, but they’ve always been there in the background.
At the same time, I’ve built a life around movement, coaching, and community.
My athletes know I’m all in — early mornings, late nights, race weekends, programming, messages, support, everything. My family sees the other side of that: the tired days, the recovery days, the sacrifices, the balancing act.
So when the heart issues escalated, I didn’t ignore them. I did what I always tell my athletes to do: face it head‑on.
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What Actually Happened in the Procedure
Here’s the simple version of what they did — no jargon, no mystery.
They went in through the vein in my groin and guided thin catheters up into my heart.
They crossed into the left atrium — the area where atrial fibrillation starts.
They mapped the electrical signals to see exactly where the faulty triggers were.
Then they used two methods:
- Cryoablation — freezing around each pulmonary vein
- Radiofrequency ablation — heating specific areas that needed precision work
They created a pattern of controlled scars that block the abnormal electrical signals.
They checked each vein to make sure the isolation was complete.
They scanned my heart to ensure there were no complications.
They monitored me for hours afterwards.
It was a long day.
It was a big day.
And it went well.
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The Risks and the Benefits
Any heart procedure carries risk — bleeding, irritation, rhythm disturbances, complications. That’s why it’s done in a controlled environment with a full team watching every detail.
But the benefits are equally real:
- A more stable rhythm
- Fewer episodes
- Better long‑term heart health
- A chance to train and live without the constant background noise of AF
It’s not a magic switch.
It’s a process.
The next 12 weeks are the healing window where the heart settles, rewires, and finds its new rhythm.
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How It Feels Afterwards
The truth?
You feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
Your chest feels bruised.
Your heart feels irritated.
Your energy drops.
Your emotions swing.
Your body forces you to slow down.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing now — slowing down, respecting the process, letting the body do what it needs to do.
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Why I’m Sharing This
Because people see the races, the training, the coaching, the events, the community — but they don’t always see the human behind it.
Because some of you are dealing with your own health issues and think you’re the only one.
You’re not.
Because my athletes deserve honesty.
If I’m quieter for a few days, slower to reply, or not as present, it’s not because I’m stepping back — it’s because I’m healing.
Because my family deserves clarity.
They’ve seen me push through a lot.
They’ve also seen me stop when it matters.
And because this community is built on real stories, not filtered ones.
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What Happens Next
I recover.
I walk.
I rest.
I let the heart settle.
I follow the guidance I’ve been given.
I rebuild slowly.
And then I come back — stronger, clearer, and more focused.
Coaching continues.
Support continues.
The community continues.
This is just another chapter in the story.
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Final Thought
I’ve always believed that strength isn’t about being unbreakable.
It’s about being honest, adaptable, and willing to rebuild when life demands it.
This week demanded it.
And I’m answering.
One step at a time.
— Slav
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