Love Is In The Air - Josh's Hope After Cancer

The athlete has been to hell and back

- Cloe Willetts

The last place Josh Komen imagined meeting the love of his life was on a plane heading to post-cancer treatment. But when the Greymouth lad chatted to friendly Swiss-born Sibille Schmid, sparks flew. Then he found out she was an oncology nurse and the rest was history.

However, this love story had a difficult beginning for Josh, 31, who is grateful to be alive. In 2013, the talented sportsman was preparing to represent New Zealand in running at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, training twice a day and being coached by Kiwi running legend Dave McKenzie. But two weeks after collapsing during a race, Josh was admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.

“I was brought up as a strong man and had to learn how to cry,” tells Josh, who has published a memoir of his cancer ordeal called The Wind at my Back. “I was so angry about having cancer after being so fit that I nearly attempted to take my life because I was so depressed.”

It was Josh’s mum Belinda, 54, who saved him from a possible suicide. “She went out one night and I was about to do it, but I saw her cup of tea and thought of how much she loved me,” explains Josh. “I decided to treat my cancer like a running race. I visualised myself running and finishing the job, and said I’d get out of there and follow some of my dreams.”