Zion-The-Brave

10/05/2026

What a difference a year makes!!!

5 stone down, 3 to go.

What have I learned in this time…..

1. That saying ‘you learn to love it’ was an eye roller for me BUT it is SO true of gym life.
It’s become a necessary practice for me mentally as well as physically which for a girl who avoided climbing the stairs until bedtime I never thought would be possible.

2. It’s hard. It’s sore. It’s challenging. It’s empowering. It’s liberating. It’s bloody fantastic, callouses and all💪😜

3. It’s never a good time start, start anyway. Start scared, start insecure, start fat, start unfit, start not knowing where to start, just start.
If you don’t know where to start like me get someone who does, I cannot recommend enough, I could not have done this without him and ✨💪

4. Food is fuel🔥
When I got my nutrition plan I was LIVID however I will be forever thankful to for challenging me with this and showing me he knew what he was taking about and there was a reason why I was a fattie🤣🤣🤣

5. You’ll find your people🥰
I started by myself with my online coach, now when I go in I have people who cheer me on, support me, hold me accountable and I have the best laughs with. You might even find yourself a gym bestie like me which has levelled up our training game because we both want to see each other succeed and be the best version of ourselves as well as having a wee dance between sets!!😜💃🥰

6. You CAN do it.
I didn’t think I could, but with consistency and the right people surrounding me I am and so can you!!💪💪💪

So one year in here I am, standing taller, with a whole new wardrobe and a clear head actually starting to like who I am as a person, not because I look better well maybe a little bit😜 but because gym has given me structure, purpose, community, my husband and kids are proud of me and see healthy choices and my mind is no longer consumed with noise and I am so very thankful for that day in Florida just over a year ago which led to this!!

10/01/2026

Our boy is 7!!

Complete, perfection….

Every day is a miracle day with this boy and we are so very thankful for you!! Happy birthday gorgeous boy, you are so unbelievably loved💜🥰🦖🦕

#7

30/12/2025

2025, a year of shedding….

It’s been an interesting one and it’s been uncomfortable in so many ways, changes within friendships and the circles I find myself, releasing old habits, challenges within marriage and the challenges having kids with additional needs bring.

It’s also been incredibly beautiful, releasing old habits that were hurting me, enlightenment in to relationships and what they are rather than what I thought they were, overcoming obstacles within my marriage with my husband taking us to a deeper and better understanding of each other and the absolute joy of the chaos my kids can bring!!

So with the uncomfortable came freedom and discovery. 2025 changed a lot of things, most of all me & for the first time in a very, very long time, I really like who I am🥰🥳💪

#2025

13/10/2025

22 weeks apart…still a long way to go but taking a moment to celebrate how far I’ve come.

23 weeks ago I lay on a sofa in our villa in Florida and cried, I couldn’t do it anymore. Hiding from the camera, exhausted walking up the road to the park to sit there instead of play with my children because I was too tired and too sweaty. I hated how I felt and despised what I had become, lazy and unbelievably unhealthy - what kind of example was I setting to my tinies watching?!!
23 weeks ago I reached out to because I knew I couldn’t do this on my own and it’s a decision I will not regret.

22 weeks on with keeping me accountable and cheering me on, I am stronger, I feel healthier and I’m starting to like what I see staring back at me in the mirror. I no longer avoid having to go back upstairs when I forget something and my body actually craves movement now!! Does this mean I don’t sit in my car outside the gym psyching myself up to walk in for 20 minutes, nope - I still do that but the feeling of accomplishment walking out after is beyond wonderful!!

The girl lying on that sofa thought this was not going to be possible, the mama sitting in the park embarrassed to join in play incase people were judging never saw the day of playing on a seesaw freely and happily with her 11yr old.

Today I am thankful for how far I’ve come and I can see how far I have to go but it no longer overwhelms me, let’s go!!💪💪💪

10/01/2025

6
My baby is 6, how did this happen!!
My living, breathing, miracle boy, oh how proud of you we are! The kindest, most loving, squidgiest, cuddliest, craziest boy I know with a hint of defiance and rage. I love getting to be your mummy and I don’t think I could love you any more🥰🥰🥰

Here’s to another year round the sun making memories.

#6

23/12/2024

4 years ago….

4 years ago we were handed a piece of paper by a doctor to read our baby has cancer, we weren’t afforded the grace of someone sitting with us and talking through what hell was about to be bestowed on us.
4years ago our family was split in 2 because, you know, Covid. Jonny living at home with Eden & me in the hospital with Zion. A father not allowed to visit his son & support his wife, a daughter not allowed to see her mum and get the cuddles she desperately needed and a little boy who could live or die not allowed to remain in the strength of his family team together in an isolated hospital room because that’s what was best for the unknown and not the families ripped apart.

4 years of living in grief bringing uncertainty, brokenness and fear which doesn’t end with that magical end of treatment bell.

4 years ago…..some days it feels like 4minutes ago others as if it never happened. But it did.

Cancer really is a journey that never ends, that old saying of time being the healer, well, personally I don’t agree but I do believe time gives space for learning and for friendship to blossom in spaces and places where darkness would try to rob you of the light that shines along the way of this road called grief.

4 years on and we see glimmers of beauty in the ashes but still oh so much mire to work through. 4years on with our baby who is the most kind, most gorgeous, most loving little squidge who I am obsessed with with. 4years on and this date still brings all the feels but this year there’s something new….a feeling of victory.

4 years on Zion still stands, breathes and shouts defiantly even when death tried to steal Him away & the imagery of this is not lost on me.

4years on we will celebrate and hold Zion tight as we prepare to celebrate the King of heaven coming.

4 years on….

12/11/2024

Did you know children who are receiving chemotherapy cannot receive live vaccines and those who have had their vaccines prior to treatment have their entire vaccine immunity wiped out?

This means they have to go through the whole process again once they’re out the other side of treatment?

Today Zion got his first set of vaccines to re-vaccinate and it has floored him🫠🫠🫠
Hopefully some sleep and tic and he’ll be fighting for in the morning💪💪💪

17/10/2024

***EXCITING NEWS***

We are hosting an incredible day of relaxation, yoga and pampering for incredible mummies who walk the cancer road with their kiddies!!

The wonderful .v.thompson and I had a chat and came up with an idea of bringing a bunch of mummies who journey childhood cancer together.

This had to be a day of luxury(obvs) pampering and purpose!!

So here we are with a stunning day at a very special price at the Rabbit hotel involving pampering, yoga, spa time and taking time to breathe together!!

This journey is better when we do it together and we wanted to create a space where mums could meet out of the drab hospital walls and make friendships for life. It

There are limited spaces so dm to book your place or to book a place for a mummy of a cancer kid who you know would benefit from this incredible day!!

20/10/2023

Trick or treat!!!👻🎃🎗️

£2 is all we ask and to reshare our fundraising page, let’s change children’s cancer treatment together!!🤝

We appreciate every single one of you💜🦕🦖

Weʼre raising money to Help us change the face of children’s cancer treatments! Our children deserve more then 4P in every £1 for research into kinder treatments!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

08/10/2023

Thanks to Belfast Live for sharing our mission to raise as much money as possible specifically for children’s cancer research with your help!!!

We could not love this boy any more he has fought to live and now he’s going to fight for the lives of other cancer kids coming behind him with us right there with him!!💪💜🦖🦕

Zion Cassidy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just days before Christmas 2020 when he was just two