Natalie was inspired to create ​Fireflies Fitness during her treatment & recovery from breast cancer. 

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She was diagnosed in February 2019 whilst training for her fifth marathon. As a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, she was busy running Fireflies Dance School for children in London. Natalie was fit & otherwise healthy & was in the best position to take on the challenging treatment plan. Despite being strong, the surgeries & chemotherapy took their toll both mentally as well as physically.

 

"I could not stop thinking about other patients who were going into treatment without the level of fitness that I had. It was difficult enough to deal with as it was" she said.

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Natalie kept active leading up to, during & after her treatment & is positive that it contributed to her stamina & healing. 

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Currently navigating breast reconstruction & the side effects of hormone therapy & a surgical menopause, she uses exercise, well-being & nutrition to relieve her pain, lift her spirits & gain much needed energy to be the solo parenting, business running, cancer awareness spreading, fierce woman that she is! 

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"I didn't know there were types of exercise that would have helped me through treatment. Luckily as a dance teacher & a very keen runner I kept very active naturally. Prior to chemotherapy I was told not to attend the gym because of my vulnerable immune system. I cancelled my membership & stopped doing any resistance work at all. I lost some lean muscle & replaced it with fat. This worsened after my surgical menopause. Knowing what I now know from completing my Level 3 Personal Training Diploma and Level 4 Cancer Exercise Specialist course I should have been doing resistance exercises the whole way through in order to save my lean muscle & deter fat gain, which can influence recurrence."

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Now, in remission, Natalie is working with others to help them get through their diagnosis the best way possible.