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My Kitchen Rules' Ash gets candid about mental health and what motivates him

Bravo! - by Alice Murphy
  • 20 Apr 2019
My Kitchen Rules' Ash gets candid about mental health and what motivates him

He swiftly won the hearts of Australian viewers with is laid back, down to earth charm on My Kitchen Rules, and Ash Keillah - better known as The Friendly Pirate - just gave fans even more reason to love him.

The Byron Bay Instagram model, who is loved up with MKR team mate and fiancee Stacey Allen, took to social media to share a candid post about his recent struggles with mental health.

thefriendlypirate View Profile
2,421 likes - View Post on Instagram
Contemplating why I've been feeling so flat lately when so many things in my life have been going right.. It's a tough place to be in because it makes me feel like I'm not appreciative of what I have, and that I'm letting myself and everyone around me down because people would kill to be in the position I'm in - beautiful fiancé, financially comfortable, living in a amazing spot in an even more amazing country but nothing was clicking for me. I've felt like I'm just going through the motions, half assing most of the things I've been doing. After a lot of thought I've realised that I let my passion slip, my first love - surfing! And you might laugh and think "yeah mate, go get a wave and shut up you whinger" but it's not just the act of surfing, it's all that comes with it, being in nature, the exercise, the mental clarity, the motivation to eat better, train more, do yoga to be a better surfer that transfers over to my friends, family and anyone I come in to contact with. I miss my motivation and I miss really living in my passion, so today I've decided that I'm going to throw myself head first back into it. I'm going to compete again in the World Qualifying Series , the first event for me will be in October (yep with no sponsors at 34). I didn't have much success when I was competing years ago, I was doing it for the wrong reasons, I wanted to be the best to say I was the best, I wanted to prove everyone that doubted me wrong, I wanted to make $$$. This times different, this time it's because I know with all my heart it's what I was meant to do! Watch this space.

Posting a lengthy caption alongside a black and white collage of his surfing days, the talented chef wondered why he has been feeling "so flat" lately despite everything in his life going well.

"It’s a tough place to be in because it makes me feel like I’m not appreciative of what I have, and that I’m letting myself and everyone around me down because people would kill to be in the position I’m in - beautiful fiancée, financially comfortable, living in a amazing spot in an even more amazing country but nothing was clicking for me."

After feeling like he was just "going through the motions" of life for some time, Ash revealed he realised he had neglected his first passion: surfing!

"And you might laugh and think “yeah mate, go get a wave and shut up you whinger” but it’s not just the act of surfing, it’s all that comes with it, being in nature, the exercise, the mental clarity, the motivation to eat better, train more, do yoga to be a better surfer that transfers over to my friends, family and anyone I come in to contact with. I miss my motivation and I miss really living in my passion, so today I’ve decided that I’m going to throw myself head first back into it."

The reality star finished on a positive note by revealing plans to compete in the World Qualifying Series in October, telling his beloved followers to "watch this space".

We wish him luck with his outlook and sport!

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Alice Murphy
Alice Murphy is a freelance journalist and self-professed news addict. Originally from Ireland, Alice is on a mission to visit every country in the world (telling stories along the way). She is most commonly found eating sushi, drinking strong coffee and reading horoscopes.

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