12/10/2025
In “My Secret is Out,” John opens up about living with ulcerative colitis, a secret he carried since age 15. He shares the impact the illness had on his childhood dreams, including his ambition to join the Royal Navy and sail around the world. A chance encounter in a doctor’s waiting room with a terrified teenager reminds him of his younger self and sparks a determination to reclaim his dream. John reflects on the challenges of pursuing a solo circumnavigation while managing a chronic illness, confronting fear, isolation, and exhaustion.