"I had a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of pressure on my chest," says Dominik Kovalcik, who suffered a minor heart attack at the age of 20

Hi Dominic, could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, my name is Dominik Kovalcik and I come from Vsetín region. I am 23 years old and I am actively involved in bench-press. Since I was 17 years old I have been doing power triathlon in which I had some successes as World Champion and Vice Champion, also many successes within the country. I also boast several national records, but I also have European and world records to my credit. I'm just a regular young guy who follows his dreams and does what he enjoys.

You had acute myocarditis (minor heart attack) two years ago, how did that happen to you at such a young age.

Yes exactly it was on 31.12.2019 when I felt some restlessness, trembling in my hands as if I was low on sugar. However the feeling escalated until it got to the stage where I was just lying down, had a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of pressure on my chest. I had all sorts of thoughts in my head, but as it happens with young boys I tried to make light of the whole situation and took it as a short-term nausea. The next day all the feelings went away like a wave of a magic wand. I didn't know how to explain it. On the recommendation of my coach and friend Adam Švehla and my girlfriend at the time, I visited Vsetín hospital, where I was hospitalized after an examination. Throughout the hospitalization, my ex-girlfriend was a great support for me and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for the energy and time she sacrificed for me.

Were you in a life-threatening situation?

I can't say this with accuracy, but the truth is that if I had a weaker heart, I probably wouldn't be doing this interview anymore.

How long were you in the hospital?

I was in the hospital for a little over a week. A few days of observation, in the intensive care unit on machines. I waited for a more detailed examination, which took place at the Trinec Hospital, where I had an MRI, which revealed the inflammation.

Did the doctors give you any hope of returning to exercise/competition or did they want to write you off?

Generally, doctors are skeptical and very cautious and in my case it was no different. The answer to the same question was that I should learn to play chess. So you can probably imagine how I felt when you've been paving your way to a goal that makes sense all along and then everything falls apart like a house of cards. I've never had such a vague idea of my future as I did then. I didn't know at that moment where I was going, what I was going to do. It's just like starting over.

What helped you the most at the time?

They say hope dies last. So hope that things would work out and get better. Family and friends, too. However, I know that no one gets more out of life than they can bear. But despite all that, I knew that the only one who could help me was myself. So I started to get used to being alone and getting to know myself. I began to ask myself questions about who I was, where I was going, why I was even here, and what I wanted out of life. I started reading a lot and educating myself. I wanted to determine the right values, some philosophy of life and just try to be the best version of myself.

Did you fully realize what happened to you?

Honestly, no. I was a young, mischievous, arrogant jerk and I tended to make light of everything. I was reckless with myself, and I was wallowing in black thoughts. I don't want to be cynical or make myself out to be a loser, but I want to be honest and hand on heart, we never know what life is going to throw at us and how we can or can't deal with it. I know there are worse things in the world, however, I was a young egotist with no sound judgment and I couldn't bear the weight of the idea that something might be different than I imagined. I know that I lacked humility and judgment at the time and I am glad that I began to realize this at such an early age, and I think that I am not the only one of my generation who lacked these qualities.

Plenty of people in today's social media world where there is a constant battle for our attention have created some sort of fixed image of themselves for their superego. What then happens is that people without sound judgment and previous qualities speak to large groups of young people and influence them, but not always in a good way. Unfortunately, nowadays we cannot even say in good conscience what is right and what is wrong. Even the media and the news do not claim the privilege of 'truth', the main goal is to be first. Yes, I put the word truth in quotation marks and the reason is because we are all different and we all have a different world view and truth is very speculative. The key is to have judgement, humility and respect for others. For we are not alone here and we need to love each other and wish each other the best.

How was your return to the gym and to exercise ?

Very hard and slow. There were a lot of things I had to watch out for, like heart rate and generally keeping an eye on all the feelings. It was like I was starting to work out for the first time. Muscle memory is a great thing, so the return was very quick, but there was always a big question mark in the air about what would happen when it came to the big weights or the first prep. In my subconscious I kept expecting a tipping point, which thankfully hasn't come yet.

After what period of time did you return to the competition boards again?

After about two years. I think it could have been sooner, but covid threw a pitchfork into it. So I was more competing with myself to prove to myself that I could do it. However, I came back even stronger and in better shape than I ever was.

Are you currently exercising in the same style as you did before the acute myocarditis?

Just after my illness I had to modify my training to more of a light tempo and light weights. It was more about getting into a regimen and moving. After that it was a very complex and aerobic workout with more reps and it was a lot like crossfit. Then once we agreed that everything was good and I started my training, the workout was already strength based. Since I focus on bench-press, the whole training plan was mainly focused on bench-press and its development. The training was divided 3 times a week on shoulders, back and chest. With Friday training being the priority and alternating weekly between heavy and stability. This meant that the beginning of the season started at 5s for 5op and at the end I finished with 2s and 1op or just 1op. There were also exercises like bench-press to board or slingshot. I have it set that starting with a weight that I do 3 reps with so plus about 20kg is my potential max. In practice it looks like if I do 3 reps with 190kg my max will be somewhere around 210kg. The second type of benches, the stabilization benches, focuses on the stability of the exercise, such as bench-press with kettlebell or speed benches with lighter weight and emphasis on speed.

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If you met yourself before the event mentioned what would you advise ?

Like day and night, bad days come to an end. It just takes a lot of courage and patience. Love yourself and make yourself a priority. The main thing is not to be afraid of anything. Also to appreciate everything I have, all the people I have around me, because everything is so fleeting. We never know what can happen and who we can lose. The important thing is to live in the present moment and do everything with passion. Because we never know when we will hug our friends for the last time, when we will eat our last meal and when we will wake up for the last time. Life is a gift we have and everyone should take it as a privilege and not waste a single second in this beautiful world. I also know that when it was worse, it means it was good before and I know it will be again. So don't waste your time. Buddha once said that the biggest mistake we make is thinking we have time. Time is free but priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't hold it, but you can spend it, and once you lose it, you can never get it back.

Do you think the problems that have plagued you accompany other practitioners?

I'm sure they do, not necessarily physical ones, although there are many of those on a daily basis. But rather psychological, such as depression, anxiety, bad mindset, etc. I know it's difficult and a long haul, but if you can do it, it's worth it. It makes life so much easier and beautiful. I just need to set my life philosophy, goals and the path I want to take. The journey is like driving in a car, I know where I'm going and I just look ahead. I look in the rear view mirror a few times and that's the past. But I still know where I'm going and where my destination is. If there's a roadblock - that's the problem we're solving - we'll take a different route. But we're still going for the same destination. Life philosophy is a tough choice, but it has to make sense to us. Mostly it's a guide for how we will solve problems, how we will meet new people, and who we will let into our lives. It's also the rituals that will accompany you through your daily routine. The important thing is focus. Every day we struggle to keep our attention on what we want, so we need to train discipline. Another thing is to appreciate yourself. Be grateful and humble.

What is your transformation and has it brought something positive to your life ?

It's turned my life around 180 degrees. I have become aware of many things that I used to overlook. I also started to appreciate more things that I took for granted like waking up every morning being healthy because that is the most valuable thing I have in my life. I'm grateful for the people I have around me and the life I'm living. Life has become a privilege for me and I try to live it as if every day should be my last. I've accepted that every day can be my last, so I go to bed smiling because I'm happy for the life I'm living. I have many awesome people around me, I have had some amazing moments that are etched in my memory. I'm always trying to learn new things, move forward and be the best I can be for myself. I know that I have made many mistakes in my life that I regret, but I don't regret any of them because I know that without them I wouldn't be where I am now and the way I am .

Dominic, thank you so much for the interview, Have a great day and may you have a good life!

I thank you so much for such an important opportunity to share my story. I would like to thank my family and friends who stood by me during this difficult time - Adam Švehl, Tomáš Mikuš and my former girlfriend Veronika Vojtěchová.

In conclusion, I just want to say, live to the fullest, follow your dreams and keep moving forward. Be happy, be kind to others and treat them with respect. Always be proud of yourself, have discipline, respect your loved ones, love your family, just love and be loved. Set your mind according to your values, have an idea and a goal. Don't forget humility and judgment, because that is the most valuable thing a person can have nowadays. Ignore the negativity of others and make your dreams come true. And if this story of mine influences even one person to live a better life, it will be a great success for me. I wish you all the best!