I’ve learnt that to maintain my happiness, I need to keep some things private...
I’M good as gold now, with no ill effects. The seizure was a horrible shock and extremely frightening. I was very lucky I wasn’t on my own. A friend was there, heard the bang as I fell, found me and put me in the recovery position. I needed weeks of physio to heal the fractured vertebrae. I was extremely lucky not to break my neck.
Although I was tested for epilepsy, it was ruled out. Doctors told me sleep deprivation, infection and stress are the three largest contributors to seizures. I was very run-down from the worst flu I’ve ever suffered, caught another bug on top, and was suffering jet-lag and sleep-deprivation as I was travelling and working in Australia and New York. It was the perfect storm.
What’s been a turning point in your life?
I RADICALLY changed my diet and lifestyle after I nearly died in 2017 when I had surgery for three hernias. I reacted badly to the mesh, my body just didn’t like it, which they put in to repair me. I developed pneumonia, a collapsed lung, ileus (paralysed intestines), fluid build-up and I needed CPR.
It was a pretty close call and afterwards my stomach didn’t empty properly, so doctors wanted to give me a gastric bypass. Instead, to avoid any more major surgery, I decided to do loads of research on how to improve my diet.
I went from feeling really low – but the more I took care of my gut health, the better I felt overall. There’s so much proven scientific evidence coming out that gut health and mental health are linked, and on the positive effect it can have on mood.
That’s very important to me as I’ve suffered problems with depression in the past. Now, I’m conscientious about putting only good things in my body.
Karima McAdams
What else have you done for your health?
I’M much more active. Walking my dogs and regular gym training makes me feel good, and crucially has really reduced my problems with sleeping.
In the worst parts of my depression and unhappiness, I’ve really suffered with insomnia and sleep anxiety, which can really affect mood and wellbeing. It’s still tricky with my lifestyle – performing at night and doing appearances in the day – but my sleep patterns are much better.
What does success mean to you?
I USED to imagine if I achieved success, it would absolve me of all the problems that had gone on in my past and I’d just be continually happy. I realise now that’s not how it works. Happiness isn’t a constant, in the same way that sadness shouldn’t be. If anything, your baseline should be contentment, and then you can field the ups and downs.
How do you look after your wellbeing?
I’M much more aware nowadays about my triggers, which can affect my mental health. Getting too stressed, tired, or packing too much into my life can all affect me, so I guard against them.
I’m having talking therapy again soon, because it’s important to regularly refresh your outlook with the help of someone who’s unbiased and completely outside your life. I see myself as a work in progress and I’m happiest when I’m learning.
I’ve always had a sort of workingclass guilt about going on holidays, but now I’m taking breaks away.
What’s your biggest achievement?
THE longevity of my music. To have more than 15 years of work, which people still love, is an amazing feeling. I love expressing myself through my music. At my concerts, it’s great to see a cross-section of ages, and kids who know all the words to my songs but weren’t even born when they were written.
Also, I love using my profile to shine a light on issues through my documentary work, which has raised awareness about male suicide, among other things. Working on campaigns like Unilever’s campaign against UK Hunger is really important to me. The fact there are families without the means to put food on the table, and four million children living in poverty is totally unacceptable.
Do you see yourself as a celebrity?
NO way. The whole celebrity thing didn’t exist when I was young, in those days people were famous because of their talent for something. I became successful because of my music and don’t see myself as part of this present-day infamy. I find all this ‘influencer’ stuff weird. In my book, if it gets to the point where you’re selling every little bit of yourself, then you’re in a bad place. Music is my commodity but I’m not for sale.
You’re dating Karima McAdams – is that a happy ending for you?
I’M very happy, and my house feels like a home now, but the major difference between this and every other relationship I’ve had is that this is very private and I don’t discuss it. I’ve learnt that to maintain my happiness, I need to allow myself some things other people don’t have a window into.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
MY great grandmother used to tell me, ‘Patience is a virtue’. I can’t say I practise it every day, but generally I’m much better at recognising that and am more patient and calm.
Professor Green is an ambassador for Unilever’s campaign against UK Hunger. You can buy special packs of PG tips, Hellmann’s, Colman’s, Knorr, Pot Noodle and Graze products from Tesco. 5p per pack will be donated to charities combating UK hunger.