Man, 39, who had a brain haemorrhage and was told he would 'never be the same' has defied the odds by making a full recovery - and credits his diet and gruelling exercise routine with the transformation

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A man who was once fighting for his life in a hospital's intensive care unit, completed this year's gruelling Ironman UK.

Paul Spence, 39, from East Yorkshire, who suffered a brain haemorrhage after hitting his head during a fall in April 2012, crowned his physical recovery by competing in an annual sporting event. 

The charity owner once spent almost a week in and out of consciousness on a high-dependency ward at Hull Royal Infirmary due to a life-threatening injury, repeatedly suffering seizures.

He explained his desire to inspire others who suffer a similar misfortune, after coming 556th place out of 1612 competitors in this year's Ironman.

Paul Spence (pictured), 39, from East Yorkshire, who suffered a brain haemorrhage after hitting his head during a fall in April 2012 took part in this year's Ironman competition

Paul cycled 112 miles, ran a full marathon and swam 2.4 miles all in one day, to come 556th place out of 1612 competitors

Paul who cycled 112 miles, ran a full marathon and swam 2.4 miles all in one day, has had to 'train the brain' all over again for the past seven years.

He believes his brain will be his greatest effort during moments of doubt throughout any sporting competition - encouraging him to be strong, carry on, and to complete a truly incredible journey. 

The 39-year-old said: 'When you suffer a serious brain injury you are left with lasting damage, we can't shy away from that at any stage.

'But I feel I am a living example of how a combination of positivity and mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, lifestyle choices and coping strategies can help you build a new life.

'I know they have all contributed to me building a new, happy and successful life. In fact, I'm doing more now than I ever thought would be possible, and actually more than I was doing before I was injured.

'Nothing could prepare me or my family for the battle you face after suffering a serious brain injury. When I eventually returned home from hospital it a real struggle and I had to be cared for by family and friends. I was told I would never be the same man again.

Paul (pictured) has become an ambassador for a leading personal injury firm, set up his own charity and launched a healthy foods brand

'Finding any kind of positivity in that situation is difficult. I initially couldn't see a day when I'd go out of the house again, never mind run a marathon, so I wanted to share my story and how I have recovered, as I know it can help others.'  

Paul has become an ambassador for leading personal injury firm Hudgell Solicitors, a role in which he provides vital personal support to injured people and their families alongside legal specialists.

He offers a real insight for brain injury victims and families into how he remained positive and rebuilt his life.

Paul has also successfully launched his own charity, PAUL For Brain Recovery, just three years after suffering his injury, going on to open a dedicated community-based brain recovery centre in his home city of Hull a year later.

The centre has been hailed by health bodies for the role it plays in offering vital one-to-one family, educational and social support sessions to help people reach their full potential after brain injury, leading to it being commissioned by the local NHS.

A key part of the service provided is education around healthy eating and appropriate lifestyle choices which can aid brain recovery, something Paul passionately believes is key, and why he has was so keen to complete the Iron Man challenge.

It also led to him launching his own venture in the world of business. He continued: 'I truly believe that I would not be where I am today had I not found the positivity from exercising and then the benefits from eating foods that are known to benefit the brain.

Paul (pictured) says he has personally felt the benefits of feeding his brain the right foods, his company has been endorsed by high-profile sports professionals including Liam Cooper

'I can remember beginning to exercise at home and how good that made me feel. It was where I found my positivity, and it was then that I started to really think about what food I was eating too. I wanted to eat food that would feed my brain.

'I had researched the foods that were good for the brain such as walnuts, seeds, oils, herbs and fruits and my family used to ensure they were in my meals. It was a way that they could help me when they were finding it hard to handle my changing emotions.

'However, when I started to look around the supermarkets I couldn't find anything which was specifically targeted at the brain. There were bars for energy and products around protein and muscle building, but there was nothing to feed the brain.'

It was that which led to Paul teaming up with an nutritional expert to launch 'Brainworks', a company manufacturing a 'brain boosting' food range of snacks, each including ingredients scientifically proved to aid brain development and recovery.

It has been the latest success story for Paul with the bars now stocked by a number of stores and supermarkets. They have also been endorsed by high-profile sports stars including Leeds United footballer Liam Cooper and former rugby league Man of Steel Jamie Peacock. 

 Paul (pictured) who has become known for his running challenges, has completed more than 20 marathons

He added: 'I have seen and personally felt the benefits of feeding the brain the right foods myself so it was a natural route for me to go down in developing the bars, but again it was all about helping people get better and inspire them.

'I hope people look at me and see that I have managed to bounce back, launch a charity, open a support centre and even start my own business, all in seven years since suffering my injury. It's all about positivity, support, determination and life choices. 

Over the past few years, Paul has become known for his running challenges, having completed more than 20 marathons in total.

Never though, has he faced a physical challenge like the Ironman held in Bolton, and  had to train tirelessly to be ready.

He said: 'I have become well known for running marathons and completing physical challenges, as I do them to raise money for the charity. I have done more than 20 now as it sends out a very strong message to people who find themselves in the position I did that you can get up, you can be physically strong again and you can achieve. 

Paul (pictured) managed his first 100 miles on the bike in March this year, he trains four or five times a week either running, swimming or cycling

'I'm not a strong swimmer and I'd never even cycled a 100 miles on a bike before in one go when I signed up [to Ironman]. However, I have come as far as I have over the past seven years because I have been determined to challenge myself and never feel like I have done enough.

'Since the start of the year I've been training four or five times a week either running, swimming or cycling, sometimes twice in a day.

'I managed my first 100 miles on the bike in March and then ran the Rome Marathon in April. Then I started putting the disciplines together in training, doing a mile in the pool then getting out on the bike before finishing with a run.

'Last month I stepped up a gear and did my first half distance triathlon, and I have done three of those now as part of my training. I've also cycled over 100 miles on four separate occasions. I'm currently training four or five times a week, which can consist of two mile swims, 80 miles on the bike or an 18 mile run.

'They are long and hard days and it's taking a lot out of me, but I'm constantly learning more about my body, what I am capable of and how much food, rest and sleep I need to stay safe and perform at my best.

'Its extreme stuff as I've swum around 45 miles, cycled 1,500 miles, ran 390 miles and walked around 1,400 miles since the turn of the year.'

Paul (pictured with Daren) hopes to donate 50 per cent of the money raised from Ironman to Darn Smith of Hull who had a stroke on his birthday 

Speaking before the Ironman, he said: 'I never imagined I would be capable of any of this at one time. I'm going for it now and I'll do whatever it takes to raise some more money for the charity and demonstrate what we are capable of as people, no matter what setbacks we suffer.

'If I manage it and cross that line, I'll have completed the journey from intensive care to iron man in seven years. That will be the most fantastic feeling.' 

Paul is fundraising through the 'Iron Man' challenge for his charity PAUL For Brain Recovery, to help support people who have suffered and are currently recovering from serious brain injuries.

However, he intends to donate 50 per cent of the pledges to Daren Smith, of Hull, who woke up on his 50th birthday two years ago paralysed after a suffering debilitating and sudden stroke.

Daren, who had a passion for cycling before his stroke, has been recovering with the help of PAUL for Brain Recovery through specialist physiotherapy.

Cycling has formed a vital part of his rehabilitation, using specially adapted bikes, and he is now trying to raise enough money to buy his own bike, at a cost of £8,000, so he can ride on a more regular basis.

'Daren is truly inspirational. He was completely paralysed on his left side, with no sight in his left eye and no longer able to walk, and was told that there was not much hope for recovery. He uses he bikes to ride side-by-side with someone who handles the steering and braking.

'Daren pedals and is doing so well. In the future he might be able to do more, he is certainly determined, and we want to help him every step of the way,' said Paul.

Donate to support Paul and Daren at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PAUL4Brain