{"id":5766,"date":"2023-12-31T10:03:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-31T10:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jonarthur.co.uk\/?p=5766"},"modified":"2023-12-31T10:03:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-31T10:03:24","slug":"a-rollercoaster-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jonarthur.co.uk\/?p=5766","title":{"rendered":"A Rollercoaster 2023!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Well what a crazy year it\u2019s been! It\u2019s certainly had its highs and lows, but I\u2019m still here, livin\u2019 the dream, soldiering on against the odds, staying strong with the Force, life\u2019s like a box of chocolates and next year we\u2019ll be millionaires, Rodney!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After getting Covid way back in March I was in and out of waiting rooms with arms like a pin cushion and trying to recover. Turns out I\u2019d had a breakdown, combined with irregular breathing, anxiety and thyroid disease, so not too good a combo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was determined to keep fishing, but getting to and from pegs was a struggle and I know some people have seen me in a right mess. A huge thanks to all the kind people who\u2019ve stopped and helped me in various ways. I owe you all a pint or two for sure. Please tap me up for one if you see me!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m now on tabs for life and physically in a much better place. Just the mental side to fix, but I\u2019m probably a lost cause with that! I\u2019m forever indebted to family, fishing and friends for keeping me focused and moving in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I still struggle to comprehend how I made three Finals when at times I couldn\u2019t lift my keepnets out or string a sentence together. I knew I could fish ok once I was sat down, but the processes before and after were tough. Getting in the RiverFest Final was a huge boost to my confidence, though, and the start of a truly great year\u2019s fishing. Making the Fisho and Match This Finals was a triple whammy I never dreamt possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time the Thames Festival came around I was feeling fitter, which was a huge relief. I was over the moon to come runner up in that event and with a match I\u2019ll never forget on Day 1 catching so many bream, then two great days on the roach. The RiverFest Final on the Trent was also another fantastic experience, then runner-up on the Stratford Classic tells me I really should do more river fishing next year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u2019t able to coach quite so much in 2023 and I know I haven\u2019t been the easiest person to get in touch with at times. I\u2019m just a one-man-band and it can all get a bit overwhelming at times. But the sessions I\u2019ve ran have been lovely and I always meet some fantastic people, many of which have become good friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d like to think I\u2019m the kind of guy who can be friends with anyone, especially once egos and testosterone are put aside. If someone chooses not to, that\u2019s life and you move on, but my doors always open\u2026 So, if you\u2019re a lurker, please don\u2019t be a hater. Maybe give me a like or say well done once in a while and you\u2019ll see how nice I can be, ha ha! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My YouTube channel has really boomed and reaching over 25,000 subscribers was amazing. I\u2019m also very proud of my Channel Members area with such a friendly and loyal following. The whole channel\u2019s growing very nicely and I love coming up with new content. I won\u2019t ever churn things out for the sake of it and hope my passion and enthusiasm shines through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to hold my hand up and say this year it\u2019s been hard to keep on top of all my messages with everything that\u2019s been going on. I get them via so many different directions and it\u2019s easy to let one or two slip. It\u2019s lovely to have people contact me, though, so it\u2019s not something I ever want to deter. I\u2019ve always prided myself in having the courtesy to reply, even if it\u2019s just a brief message, so next year I want to stay on top of that. If you\u2019ve messaged me and not had a reply, please ping me again. It might take a few days, but I\u2019d never deliberately ignore anyone, especially if you\u2019ve been nice and polite! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, I have to mention my wonderful family. They have been so supportive when I\u2019ve needed it the most. Having them sat behind me at FishOMania was a particularly special day, even though the weather was pants. LOVE them all to bits! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I must also say a BIG thanks to Matrix and Sonubaits for their continued support as well. Having such great bait and tackle is a privilege I\u2019ll never take for granted. I\u2019d like to think their investment in me is more than worth it. Still no sign of a Cadbury\u2019s deal on the horizon though\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being self employed it\u2019s taken several years of hard work and determination to finally feel like I\u2019m making ends meet. I\u2019ll definitely never ever be rich, but I thoroughly enjoy what I do and hope I\u2019m making a difference, no matter how big or small that is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next year I\u2019m going to try my best to get back in a big Final or two, but it\u2019s not all about the winning. My main drive is to keep enjoying my fishing, continue having good experiences with good people and keep doing what I do to the very best of my ability. If I can do that and stay healthy I\u2019ll be a very happy man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, that\u2019s a rollercoaster year pretty much summed up. To all the kind, happy and smiling people out there, I wish you good health and a fab 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To infinity and beyond!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Highlights:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n