James Patrice: 'I was really shy as a child'

This Much I Know: "Putting on skinny jeans is always a challenge - but I suppose my greatest challenge was when I had meningitis at aged 10 and nearly kicked the bucket."

In this brand new RTÉ Player Original, Battle of the Food Trucks, presenter James Patrice is the host with the most as food truck chefs from across Ireland will go head-to-head to be crowned Ireland’s finest food truck! for Caroline Delaney

Something creative was always going to be in my pathway. Growing up, I loved languages, writing, and performing. I was very shy as a child and going into drama really gave me confidence and shaped the person I am now. I did drama and french in Trinity after school and I loved it but I lost my way a bit after that. I was working in retail for over three years and I wasn't doing anything creative and then I got into social media and started to realise that you can be creative anywhere. Thankfully, I started digging into media and getting television work. It shows that you need to trust the process. What is for you won't pass you. Don't lose faith.

Putting on skinny jeans is always a challenge but I suppose my greatest challenge was when I had meningitis at aged 10 and nearly kicked the bucket. It was more of a challenge for my family really; to see me go through that and be told that I might not make it. At 10 you do remember things though and it was a huge life lesson for me. It really taught me that life is far too short. It gives you a great perspective and makes you appreciate things more. I think that's why I have such a positive attitude.