Samantha Cook

Spent with my girl in a room full of amazing women who all share the same passion. While she will grow up to a different world to what I did, one where opportunities for women in sport continue to expand, the values that matter most remain the same.

Strength. Respect. Resilience. Community.

Watching Enid interact and be surrounded by strong, supportive women reminds me why representation matters. Not just at the top of the podium, but in the rooms where young girls learn what they are capable of.

Here’s to the women who came before us, the ones pushing boundaries today, and the little girls growing up believing the mats belong to them too. 🥋✨

Thank you for sponsoring the event and to the awesome for the beautiful shots!

Happy International Women’s Day 💜

World Cancer Day
⚠️⚠️TW- Cancer sensitive discussion and images⚠️⚠️
This is not a sympathy post, I went through something that sadly too many other people have been through or are going through right now, sometimes not for the first time. This disease stripped me bare, and unfortunately continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. I didn’t want to post anything, I had such incredible support during 2022 following my diagnosis and social media looked a lot like sunshine and rainbows when going through treatment and only those closest to me know how bad it really was. But even now years later I’m left with the anxiety of why. Why did this happen and why is it still happening now. The unfairness of experiencing it and seeing people getting picked off one by one with some form of cancer is crippling, I’m not sharing outrage to make anyone feel better, Im just being honest. Why do we not know what’s causing this? I’ve been down every rabbit hole there is and I know this is multi factorial and not a straight forward answer but come on, how can we continue to live our lives like this. Knowing it’s not -if- but -when-. All I can say for world cancer day is try to make smart choices with what you put in your body, on your body and into your mind and do not hesitate to get something checked out, and if something still doesn’t feel right don’t give up on that feeling, keep perusing answers.
Sorry it wasn’t more positive, but it’s not a day to celebrate, it’s a day to ask why the f**k! Sam- Lymphoma 2022 currently in remission.

1. The lump on the left side of my neck above my clavicle.
2. The red hot itching response I would have after drinking alcohol
3. The insatiable itching- worst on my feet.
4. Me not dealing with it very well
5. PICC line inserted ready for treatment to start
6. PICC line
7. After a day of chemotherapy
8. A weekend away in London during the good few days before next treatment dose
9. A day out in Bath
10. Last treatment celebration cake
11. Last treatment day
12. First seminar back with my boy ♥️

Out of office is on. Merry Christmas all, see you in the new year! ✨🎄❤️

Thank you for all the birthday love ♥️ I’ve had the best weekend celebrating with my squad 🫶🏻🥰

Hanging up my stethoscope and my yellow badge for the foreseeable future. As .jiujitsu continues to grow at an alarming rate I am fortunate enough to step away from what has been an incredibly fulfilling career.

After receiving news that I had lymphoma and spending the best part of a year going through treatment and recovering from that treatment my perspective on life changed; we made a small human which truly is the greatest gift and we started Royal Jiu Jitsu. I went from an incredibly ambitious person prepping for my PhD to taking my baby girl to the forest and banging drums and getting 10x more enjoyment from that.

I feel incredibly blessed I have a husband who is immensely passionate about coaching and developing the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and for all the students who want to come and learn from us, without you guys Royal Jiu Jitsu would not be possible 💙💛

So here’s to the next chapter and some photos to commemorate the end of an era!

1. My original Littman Stethoscope since a student
2. Iconic Barts fountain photo
3. Starting at Kings College London
4. Back to work after winning Abu Dhabi grand slam
5. Last day with neurosurg at Kings
6. Lindz wedding with the National ladies
7. Starting at Bart’s
8. Bart’s Squad
9. Nat and I testing out our new goggles
9. Covid
10. In service training Bart’s
11. The first rehab MDT ward round at New Cross set up by me
12. Before Mat leave at New Cross

Happy second wedding anniversary my guy ♥️ 2 years married but 9 years together 😱 where did almost a decade go?! Infinite more decades would never be enough time on this earth with you, thank you for a wonderful evening celebrating. Here’s to many more years as team chill 💙💛

Happy 1 year of parenting to my human. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else in the world, thank you for all that you do for us, Enid is so very lucky to have you as her dad 🩷 I can see how much she admires you in her beautiful eyes. I always knew it would come easy to you, after everything you did for me in my time of need 🫶🏻

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about 💖 (A. Schwindt) Happy First Birthday Enid, you bring us so much joy and happiness that I never thought possible. We love you little one 💜

Starting the week strong at Royal, Bradley and I hope to share some exciting news with you all soon 👀 See you all on the blue and yellows this week! 💙💛

This book is excellent! I especially like page 39… get yours from 💝 Congratulations for publishing!! Loving life in the new Scramble zip up 🤤