2nd Chance: My MS

I was born on 10 September 1976 in Port Kembla, Australia, the second of five children. We lived a simple life with its fair share of challenges, but also with plenty of genuine stupidity, laughter, and love at home.

Mum was a teacher, Dad worked at the steelworks, and together they did a great job raising us.

I started playing violin at the age of three and a half, completing the Suzuki Method by thirteen. I wrote my first music at ten, but it wasn’t until I got my first acoustic guitar at fifteen that I could finally accompany my singing—and that changed everything.

At eighteen, life shifted dramatically with my first trip to Sweden in 1995. That’s when I met my beautiful wife, Linnéa. In 2004, our son Jack was born. We’ve spent years living between two countries — Australia and Sweden — but since 2013, we’ve been happily based in Åre, Sweden.

I've done gigs since an early age, yet between 2003 and 2007, my solo career in music really took off in Sweden. It became a true family business: Linnéa and I handled sales, bookings, travel, and everything in between — always with Jack in tow. With our tour bus and a couple of loyal crew members, we crisscrossed the country, doing gigs and shows at all kinds of events. It was hectic, but full of adventure, freedom, and happiness.

So what happened to my music after 2007?

We moved back to Australia and explored other paths. Life took us in new directions, and music took a backseat. In that regard, I think it's a bit of a pity — but I don’t regret it at all, you just can't have everything, and instead, we gained incredible personal experiences and built other successful careers along the way.

But then, somewhere around 2021–2022, I started noticing some concerning things with my physical ability. At the time I was extremely fit and very strong — but something wasn’t right. In 2023, life threw us the curve ball.

Multiple Sclerosis.

For some time, I’d experienced strange symptoms — weakness in my left leg, cramps in my left hand, numbness in my abdomen, unexplained fatigue, sketchy vision. Since the diagnosis, I’ve been slowly losing my physical abillity: things like walking or carrying things can be slightly difficult at times, and I experience challenges with cold weather. My coordination is becoming more limited, and there are even a few cognitive glitches. For example not putting the dishes back in the correct cupboards......well, I mean, I "blame" MS, but my wife Linnéa is pretty sure it isn't.........😅

But one thing is sure.

I’m absolutely and fiercely determined to keep my MS at bay.

I thought I trained well before MS. A semi-elite athletic level is how you could probably describe it, all with documented results. But nowadays, I’m even more focused. I continue to eat well and train harder than ever, maintaining compensating muscles and constantly retraining my brain to form new neural pathways. So far, it’s working ok. I feel incredibly strong, fit, and healthy, leading me to feel that I'm grateful I got MS.

Yep, you just read that correctly. I'm grateful that I got MS — because it has given me so many insights!

Empathy – I’ve learned to truly understand others and their struggles.
Strength – I’ve discovered new mental resilience in facing change.
Deeper Relationships – I’m more present with the people I love.
Clarity – I’ve realised what I’m meant to do.

And that is to perform with my violin.

MS meant it has been purely impossible to continue working with the projects and businesses in the manner I once did, so I’ve returned to the thing that brings me the most joy: performing.

But I don’t know how much time I have left to do it, so please support my mission to perform far and wide.

Let me know where you’d love to see me play. Suggest a venue, spread the word — or book a gig today.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

/John