By Jon Doel

Copyright walesonline

Wales rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones turned 40 on Friday. Jones is arguably the greatest player the Welsh game has ever seen, winning 158 international caps between 2006 and 2023. He retired from the sport two years ago, ending a career that left a lasting legacy during a golden era for Wales that was littered with Grand Slam trophies and Six Nations titles. He also played 12 times for the Lions, captaining the side on the 2021 tour of South Africa. Adjusting to life away from rugby has been difficult on a personal level, with Jones admitting it has taken him time to get used to the lack of regimented and obsessive routine that was the cornerstone of his rugby achievements. He has certainly been busy, though, taking on a series of different roles as well as undergoing heart surgery after a shock diagnosis. As he reaches the milestone birthday, this is what life looks like now. Jones has had to adjust to a different type of life since finishing playing, admitting he’s had to learn a new way of existing as a more present part of his family unit with wife Anwen and their three daughters. Earlier this year he gave a fascinating insight into his life after rugby on the High Performance podcast, saying: “I’ve had to learn to live again being around more. I think she (Anwen) foresaw a lot more of the complicated elements of me being around more, not just from a logistical point but there is a psychological element to it as well. “It’s getting up to speed on routines, trying not to ask too many questions. I’d been so used to having day sheets throughout my career. When you’ve been told what to eat, what to wear throughout your career you do become institutionalised. “It’s a bit like a jigsaw puzzle with no picture on it. I think I underestimated it a bit. I think I needed a bit of space. It’s been a quick 20 years and a long 12 months. Some of the simple things I thought would be normal (weren’t), for me to channel my energy and give me direction. I think the mapping out of it all has probably taken me longer than I thought. “This is an opportunity to choose what I want to do for the rest of my life. It’s about career evolution. It’s been more challenging than I thought but there are so many options. It’s OK to take your time.” After retiring from international rugby ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup , Jones actually finished his career with a brief stint at French giants Toulon. It was there it was discovered he had a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, which causes a fast, irregular heart rate, meaning blood isn’t pumped as effectively. Jones told the Telegraph doctors have advised him he likely developed the condition up to 18 months earlier, a period when his fitness “numbers” began to drop and his position in the Wales team came under scrutiny. Jones continued to notice he was struggling to reach previous heights, experiencing “the odd palpitation” and registering fitness scores that were well below what he achieved in the past. He underwent surgery immediately after finishing playing and still has to monitor his heart now. “The cardiac doctor picked it up straight away. My heartbeat was like a galloping horse with six legs. It was all over the shop,” he said. “The things that bring it on for someone my age is likely to be cardiovascular exercise and stress, it occurs in sports like rowing and endurance sports, but it was a shock because throughout my career I have always prided myself on my fitness.” The father-of-three has campaigned to raise awareness of the condition since retirement and teamed up with medical tech company AliveCor to launch the ‘Let’s Talk Rhythm’ campaign, aiming to raise awareness of AF and the importance of getting checked. Despite the unexpected diagnosis, Jones now says it “has actually been a positive thing”, allowing him to monitor his condition and take early treatment steps. “The early diagnosis has been hugely important to me. The earlier you get diagnosed, the safer you are, so awareness is huge,” he added. Jones is now involved in a number of new roles as he carefully chooses his new direction after retirement. He has appeared on TV as a pundit for the BBC and joined Swansea University as Strategic Advisor to the National Network for Innovation In Sport and Health (NNIISH). One of his most passionate ventures, though, has been releasing his own coffee-infused rum liqueur, Mimosa Rwm Espiritu, which has been a huge success over the last couple of years. It is now stocked in Welsh branches of Tesco and Morrisons and appears to be going from strength to strength, with Jones regularly seen promoting it. “I’ve been fortunate to play sport at an elite level. But as for us in the drinks business, we’re still rookies,” Jones acknowledged. “We’re not quite there yet in the elite level of the drinks industry, we’re still in our infancy, but I’m looking forward to going to Tesco, and hugely grateful, for not just this opportunity, but all the support we have had.” His journey into spirits began with Cardiff Distillery, inspired by his fondness for a particular tequila and coffee mixture that was taken off the market years ago. His ambition for his rum creation is not solely about flavour; it’s meant to carry a narrative. Jones aims for the rum to be a “vehicle” to share a tale, recalling how in 1865, Welsh settlers embarked for Patagonia, Argentina, on a ship named Mimosa. “It carried passengers seeking a new life and opportunities and was soon followed by other ships, which established Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia which remain today. “I happened to win my first Welsh cap at the Estadio Raul Conti in Puerto Madryn in Patagonia in 2006 so this gave me inspiration behind the liqueur’s name. “But when we launched the drink, we realised it was 158 years since that historic voyage of the Mimosa and spookily that was the exact number of caps I won playing for Wales.” The rum has initially been sold only in Wales but Jones has ambitions to extend distribution into England in the future. Earlier this year Jones was appointed as Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh, by His Majesty King Charles III. In his role as Honorary Colonel, Jones will serve as an ambassador for Wales, inspiring current and future generations of The Royal Welsh with his wealth of experience and leadership credibility. He takes over the position from Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL, the former head of the Army in Wales. Jones, who will wear military uniform in this role, said he was “hugely flattered and humbled”, as well as “a little apprehensive”. “Having played in our great stadium and seeing the men and women in uniform holding our national flag, it was always a significant and poignant symbol of the history and connection to the military in Wales,” he said. “There was also the iconic Royal Welsh Band serving to provide acoustics in the stadium, which is something that I enjoyed as much as a player as I continue to do now as a fan. “My apprehension was borne out of the responsibility felt while wearing the red jersey and all that comes with representing our nation. “Learning more about the history of The Royal Welsh, particularly Sir Tasker Watkins who served in the Welch Regiment and his heroism and commitment to Wales and Welsh rugby, made it something I couldn’t turn down. “I’m looking forward to learning more about 3 Royal Welsh and also share my experience of leadership in sport and the experience of leaving one career and moving into another. “The fact that personnel serving with 3rd Battalion also have day jobs also sparked an awareness that Reservists are all around us in civilian life. “Yes, the uniform I’ll wear in this role will be very different to what I’m used to, but one I will be equally proud to wear as any jersey in my playing career and represent 3 Royal Welsh and Wales.” Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Chris Barry CBE, said: “I am proud to welcome Alun Wyn Jones to the Regimental family as the Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh – a position that has been personally approved by our Colonel in Chief, King Charles III. “It is an honour for us to bring into the fold a true Welsh warrior, who has served and led the national rugby team of Wales and The British and Irish Lions and the most capped rugby player in history. “We now look forward to building a long-lasting, two-way relationship between our 3rd Battalion and Alun Wyn Jones. “The Regimental Headquarters, on behalf of all ranks of The Royal Welsh, would like to thank the outgoing Honorary Colonel of 3 Royal Welsh, Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL, for more than 11 years of outstanding leadership and service to the Regimental family. We wish him all the very best for the future.”