It’s been a few months since we conducted one of our little Spotlight interviews and we started to miss our little chats with peeps in the community! When Jack Bleasedale approached us on Twitter asking us what had happened to the series we decided we’d not only reignite that ol’ flame, but to use him as the star of the spotlight. So a little bit about Jack: He’s 19, he’s a dancer, he’s from Liverpool and he’s a Coeliac. So, now you have his life story let’s crack on…

 

Hey, Jack! We’re sure you know how this all goes by now. Let’s start with the usual. At what age were you diagnosed with Coeliac disease?

I was diagnosed at age 15. I’m now 19!

 

The four years since your diagnosis have been an interesting few years for the coeliac community, a gluten-free revolution of sorts! Have you noticed much of a change?

Things have only changed for the better, I am more self aware now thank I ever was. I had a bad episode around my 17th birthday. I was doing a lot of shows at the time and had a really horrible experience where I was ‘glutened’ as everyone calls it! Anyway, I had to have a few days off. I was really ill and subsequently missed a big show at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It was tough emotionally as well as physically because I so desperately wanted to take part but I had no energy. I knew then that I needed to start taking it more seriously and couldn’t just have a piece of cake and chance it!

Now, my body really is a temple. I am fitter than ever and about to embark on a really exciting journey at the Royal Ballet school.

 

It sounds like by now you’re fully in control of your body and your nutrition. Is there anything you still miss from your old diet?

I wouldn’t say I ‘miss’ foods that much because I think there are a lot of great free-from ranges out there to compensate. I guess I just miss the freedom sometimes and miss being at a party and not having to ask ‘what’s in this?’ ‘what’s in that’ etc. I have to be prepared!

 

Parties are a minefield for an accidental glutening! Where do you go when you’re in need of a GF treat or seven?

I’m a big fan of this bakery called Beyond Bread in West London where EVERYTHING is gluten free. They have a black bean brownie! It sounds bizarre, but trust me on this. It’s the best!

 

The big question. Are you tired of hearing “What CAN you eat”, yet?

Haha most definitely. The majority of the time they are actually interested and don’t know much about the disease so I just explain to them. They don’t normally mean it in a nasty way so it doesn’t annoy me. It’s just curiosity and a subject they don’t know much about.

 

That’s a very nice way of looking at it. You must have the patience of a saint! Let’s finish off with some words of wisdom for people recently going gluten-free…

If you are going to a party or an event, do as much prep as you can. Ask if there will be GF food so you can eat beforehand if not and not waste away. Or stash some of your Gluten Free sausage rolls in your pockets!

 

Thanks, Jack! People are going to think we paid you to say that last part…