For years, I was firmly against taking statins. Like many endurance athletes, I believed that if you trained consistently, ate reasonably well, and looked after yourself, you could control most aspects of your health. Medication felt like something you turned to only when you’d run out of other options.

But recently, I changed my mind. Not quickly, and not easily. In fact, this has been a decision that’s been building for the past five years.

Beth and I discussed this in our recent podcast - Nevis to St Kitts swim and why I decided to take statins​

The Backstory

A few years ago, I took part in a heart study which showed that I had a higher-than-expected level of coronary artery calcium. In simple terms, it suggested a potential increased risk of heart disease. The cardiologist I spoke to recommended statins as a way of reducing that risk.

At the time, I wasn’t interested. I felt fit, I was training regularly, and I had no symptoms. I’d also heard about possible side effects such as muscle aches and twitches, which didn’t exactly appeal when you’re trying to stay active. More than anything, though, I didn’t like the idea of relying on medication when I felt I should be able to manage my health through lifestyle choices.

So we agreed to monitor things instead. Each year I had a follow-up conversation, and each year I came to the same conclusion. I didn’t feel the need to change anything.

What Changed?

Interestingly, nothing dramatic happened to me personally. What shifted my thinking was seeing what was happening to others.

Over a relatively short period of time, I became aware of several men around my age, all of them fit, all of them active, and all with long histories of training, who had experienced serious heart events. Two had heart attacks during a race, another suffered a stroke while on a climbing trip. None of them had obvious warning signs beforehand.

That made me pause and question my own assumptions. At the same time, a conversation with a friend reframed things in a way that stuck with me. I’d been thinking that by not taking medication I was somehow reducing the burden on the NHS, but the reality is that treating a major cardiac event carries a far greater cost than a preventative prescription.

Another friend, a GP, simplified it even further. He pointed out that I wear a helmet when I ride my bike and a seatbelt when I drive. Both are small actions that reduce risk, even though I hope I never need them. In that context, taking statins could be viewed in exactly the same way.

Fit Isn’t the Same as Healthy

The key realisation for me is that fitness and health are not the same thing. They overlap, of course, but they are not interchangeable.

You can be fit enough to train hard, race well, and complete demanding events, yet still have underlying health risks that aren’t visible from the outside. As we get older, those risks can develop quietly, often without any symptoms until something more serious happens.

Relying on how you feel, or how you perform, isn’t always enough.

Why I Said Yes

I haven’t suddenly abandoned the belief that lifestyle comes first. Sleep, nutrition, strength training, mobility, and managing stress are still the foundations of everything I do. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is my perspective on the long term. If taking statins reduces my risk, even slightly, and helps me continue doing the things I enjoy for longer, then it becomes a sensible option rather than a last resort.

For me, it’s not about fear or dependency. It’s about making a pragmatic decision that supports the bigger picture.

The Bigger Message

This isn’t medical advice, but it is a reminder that just because you’re fit, it doesn’t mean you’re invincible. If you’re over 50 and have spent years training, it’s worth taking the time to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.

Get checked, ask questions, and be open to the answers, even if they challenge what you currently believe.

Because being Battle Ready isn’t just about what you can do today. It’s about protecting your ability to keep doing it for years to come.

---

If you want to stay Battle Ready for the long term, not just for your next event, that’s exactly what we focus on inside the SWAT Inner Circle.

It’s not just training plans. It’s about building durable fitness, looking after your health, and putting the right habits in place so you can keep doing the things you enjoy for years to come.

If that sounds like you, you can find out more below:

Join the SWAT Inner Circle today

Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay Battle Ready! Simon