By Stephanie Blundall
At Ironmind Fitness, we believe in the power of community, resilience, and strength—both mental and physical. And last year, we rallied behind one of our own: Lydia Southam.
Lydia is not just a functional fitness coach; she’s a warrior, a mother of three, and an inspiration to everyone who knows her. In June 2023, at just 34 years old, she was diagnosed with Stage 4b low-grade serous ovarian cancer—a rare and aggressive form of the disease. Since then, she’s fought with everything she has, undergoing major abdominal surgery, six rounds of chemotherapy, and a year of targeted treatment. Through it all, she has leaned on her unbreakable mindset, her training, and the incredible support of our gym family.
But her fight isn’t over.
Why We Came Together
In September 2024, our gym came together to host a 24-hour WODATHON to raise funds for Lydia’s ongoing treatment. We took on a workout every hour, on the hour, for a full day—pushing our bodies and minds in honour of Lydia’s fight. The workouts included functional fitness movements, weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio, ranging from 5 minutes to 40 minutes. Some athletes completed the full 24-hour challenge, while others worked in teams, balancing life, work, and family.
We also hosted two family-friendly sessions so the whole community could get involved. It was an incredible show of support and strength from everyone involved.
Lydia’s Story: A Fighter Like No Other
When Lydia discovered a lump on her stomach, she had no idea how much her life was about to change. With 34 tumours spread throughout her abdomen, she needed urgent, specialised surgery—something that NHS waitlists simply couldn’t accommodate. Thanks to the support of her family and friends, she was able to fund life-saving private surgery and chemotherapy that removed all visible cancer. This was a miraculous result, but the battle didn’t stop there.
Low-grade serous ovarian cancer doesn’t respond well to chemotherapy, so targeted drugs like Bevacizumab (Avastin) are crucial to prevent the cancer from regrowing. However, the NHS only funds this treatment for one year due to a lack of research in rare cancers—despite its effectiveness in other cases. Now, as her NHS treatment has ended, Lydia faces a difficult choice: pay for ongoing treatment privately or risk the cancer returning.
And that’s why we stepped up.
Lydia’s Commitment to Health and Recovery
Lydia’s recovery isn’t just about medicine—it’s about how she lives every single day. She has completely transformed her diet, cutting out processed foods and alcohol. She even makes her own household cleaning products to minimise exposure to toxins. On her darkest days, she turned to the gym, proving that physical strength builds mental resilience.
“I don’t think I would have made it through without the gym,” Lydia says. “The workouts, the community, the mindset—it made me believe I could win.”
Want to build resilience like Lydia? Check out our Strength & Conditioning Programs.
How You Can Help
We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know we can fight together. Every pound raised helps Lydia continue her treatment and stay cancer-free. The funds will ensure that if she needs further surgery, medication, or support, she has access to it—so she can keep being the incredible mum, coach, and friend that she is.
If you want to join us in this fight, you can donate …
👉 donate to Lydias GoFund Me Page
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: A Call to Action
As we recognise March as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Lydia’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, research, and support. If you or someone you love is affected by ovarian cancer, know that you are not alone.
Let’s show Lydia that she’s not fighting alone. Donate today to help Lydia continue her fight and ensure she has access to the treatment she needs.
Together, we are stronger.
#StrengthIsBuiltNotGiven 💪