BBC Olympics presenter JJ Chalmers developed 'diva demand' due to time on Strictly
TV presenter and former royal marines commando JJ Chalmers has revealed all about how his time on Strictly Come Dancing changed him.
TV and radio presenter JJ Chalmers was once stuck in a nightmare, but now he's 'living a dream'.
The Olympics host and former royal marine commando was forced to go through years of intensive treatment and rehab after being injured in a terrifying bomb blast in Afghanistan back in 2011.
Despite almost losing his arms, JJ, from Scotland, insists he doesn't regret joining the Marines - describing it as the 'best decision' he's ever made.
After taking part in the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014 and scooping three medals, the TV presenter's career started to flourish again. He went on to cover the Paralympics for Channel 4 and made it to the quarter-finals of Strictly Come Dancing with his pro partner Amy Dowden.
But no amount of success can fix the trauma JJ experienced, who says his mental health tanked to an all-time low last year.
That's why he teamed up with Op COURAGE - NHS England's mental health and wellbeing services for veterans - to make support more accessible.
JJ has now become more mindful of his work-life balance and makes sure his physical and mental health doesn't suffer due to any job, an attitude triggered by his Strictly stint.
"Physically speaking - this is the diva in me - the one thing that's on my rider as a broadcaster, and I won't kick off about it if it's not possible, but to have a bath in my hotel room," he said.
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"I discovered doing Strictly that my body responds much better if I bath myself.
"And the reason that's important is not just that it makes me physically better, but the physical toll of living with a disability and pain has a mental manifestation."
JJ says the pain will 'exhaust' you and means you'll never be able to 'run at your best', adding: "It's just that niggle that will always live with you.
"It will always be part of me, and I accept that - but it's then incumbent on me to do as much as I possibly can to alleviate that for myself." You can learn more about Op Encourage here.
