A rugby legend's shocking health crisis: From peak fitness to a life-altering battle
Peter Scrivener, a former rugby star known for his robust health and athletic prowess, has revealed a harrowing tale of his battle with long Covid. This illness, which struck during the pandemic, sent shockwaves through his body, causing a dramatic weight loss of three stone in just three weeks and a heart-pounding 218bpm.
Scrivener, once the highest-paid player per minute in world rugby, had faced injuries before, but this time, the virus hit him like a freight train. In October 2020, he contracted Covid, believing his fitness would shield him from severe symptoms. But the reality was far more brutal.
The illness wreaked havoc on his body, causing brain fog, a scorching temperature of 40 degrees, and chronic fatigue. The most alarming symptom was his uncontrollable heart rate, which reached a staggering 218bpm. But here's where the story takes a surprising turn...
Despite the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. Scrivener's journey led him to discover a revolutionary treatment that not only helped him recover but also inspired a new business venture. His former teammate, Simon Shaw, suggested hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment involving breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy revealed an underlying issue with Scrivener's mitochondria, the body's energy cells.
He then underwent red light therapy, a process that creates new mitochondria and boosts energy levels. This treatment was a game-changer, but it wasn't widely available. So, Scrivener co-founded Biowell Health, bringing cutting-edge health technologies to the UK. And this is the part most people miss—the impact of his business extends far beyond his own recovery...
Biowell Health, based in Battersea, has already attracted 1,800 clients, including top rugby players like England's Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman, and George Furbank, as well as Welsh centre Louie Hennessey and Sale Sharks forward Reuben Logan. These athletes use the service to enhance their performance and speed up recovery.
Scrivener's business offers a range of therapies, from cryotherapy to compression therapy, all aimed at improving overall health and performance. But the question remains: Could this innovative approach to health and recovery be the missing link for athletes and everyday people alike? The controversy lies in whether these treatments should be more accessible to the general public, and if so, how can we ensure their availability and affordability?
