The Heart Warrior Project

29/08/2026

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be talking to consultant cardiologist Dr. Rohin Francis, creator of the YouTube channel Medlife Crisis, for an episode debunking heart health myths and claims circulating on the internet and social media.

This will be a Q&A episode, which means I’m gathering questions from you and others to put to Dr. Francis.

Have you recently heard a claim about heart health that made you wonder whether it was actually true?

If you remember where you heard it, such as in an Instagram Reel, TikTok, Facebook video, YouTube video, or article, please share the link as well.

We may show the original content during the episode so Dr. Francis can respond to it directly, debunk it, or provide important context that may be missing.

You can leave your question below or submit it through the provided link. There, you can also read more about Dr. Francis

Have a look at who the next cardiac health expert will be on The Heart Warrior Project podcast and ask your questions.

24/08/2026

In 2027, I’ll spend 30 days living out of my kayak, with my tent as my home base, while travelling through Europe. 🛶⛺️

Why? To draw attention to cardiogenetic diseases, raise awareness and, hopefully, inspire people to donate to cardiogenetic research. 🫀

The heart disease I have been fighting is called arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. It is a progressive, life-threatening disease that caused me to die in my sleep at the age of 28. At times, it feels like a curse that was placed upon me.

We don’t decide the cards we are dealt in life, but we can decide how we play them. Even the bad ones. 🃏

I’m trying my absolute best to use this curse, this disease, to create something positive for others. This expedition is one way I hope to do that: by putting myself out there, drawing attention to cardiogenetic diseases and raising money for much-needed research.

A lot has been happening behind the scenes these past few months. I’ve been training frequently, mapping out the route, planning where I will sleep and field-testing equipment. I’ve also been meeting with people who have far more experience in the kayaking world to gather the knowledge and advice needed to make this expedition possible. 🗺️💪

It’s been a lot, and there is still a great deal to do. But ever so slowly, I’m starting to feel confident about setting off in 2027.

If this expedition inspires you and you would like to help move cardiogenetic research forward, you can leave a donation through the following link. Even a small donation can go a long way. ❤️

https://acties.uzafoundation.be/en-GB/project/kayakken-voor-cardiogenetisch-onderzoek?tab=overview

I may be the one sitting in the kayak, but in the end, the people who donate are the real heroes here. They are the ones helping to change lives and advance cardiogenetic research.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you so much for helping to move this important research forward! 🙏🫀

Again, you can find the fundraiser page here: https://acties.uzafoundation.be/en-GB/project/kayakken-voor-cardiogenetisch-onderzoek?tab=overview

21/08/2026

Sometimes the most painful words are spoken with the best intentions. 💬

After surviving a cardiac arrest or learning that you are at risk of one, life does not simply return to normal. A Heart Warrior can feel deeply grateful to be alive while also struggling with fear, grief, fatigue, brain fog, lost confidence, and uncertainty about the future. ❤️‍🩹

They do not need their pain explained away, compared, minimized, or immediately turned into something positive. They need space to be honest about what they are going through.

You do not need the perfect words. Sometimes, it is enough to say:

“I may not fully understand what this is like for you, but I’m here to listen.” 🫂

Heart Warriors, do you recognize this list? What has someone said or done that made you feel truly supported? Let us know below. 👇

10/08/2026

This past Friday, The Heart Warrior Project organized its first edition of Every Beat Counts.

We came together to enjoy good music, have some drinks, spend time in great company, and share meaningful and deep conversations about heart health, life, and so much more.

Fellow Heart Warriors got to connect with other Heart Warriors, meet new people, and simply enjoy a great evening together.

And all of this was in support of The Heart Warrior Project, helping us continue doing what we do: providing support for cardiac arrest survivors and those at increased risk, raising awareness of the importance of CPR, and contributing to cardiogenetic research.

Such a lovely night! ❤️ My legs are still sore from managing the bar. 😅

A massive thank you to every single person who showed up, supported the event, bought a ticket or a drink, and to those who couldn’t join us but still left a donation.

We truly hope you had an amazing evening.

And of course, thanks to our team for helping to make this event go as smoothly as it did!

Underneath it all, moments like this also give us a break from the realities we sometimes face. A moment to simply enjoy life, be together, laugh, connect, and have a good time.

Hope to see you all again at the next edition! ❤️

https://ko-fi.com/heartwarriorproject

02/08/2026

One of the hardest parts of surviving a cardiac arrest or living at risk of one is that people may understand the medical side, but not everything you have to carry emotionally.

I have felt deeply grateful to be alive while also grieving what I lost. I have had to rebuild trust in my body, learn to live alongside fear, and recognize that asking for support does not make me weak.

These reminders are for the hard days. For the days when recovery feels heavy, when living with risk feels frightening, when your body no longer feels familiar, or when you wonder whether anyone truly understands what you are going through.

The Heart Warrior Project exists so that no one has to navigate life after a cardiac arrest or live with the risk of one without support.

Which of these reminders did you need to hear today?

Save this post for a difficult day, or share it with another Heart Warrior who may need it. ❤️

If you would like to connect with fellow Heart Warriors, you can join one of our free online meetups here:
https://heartwarriorproject.com/online-meetup-for-cardiac-arrest-survivors/

We host them twice a month.

29/07/2026

Leaving the intensive care unit doesn’t always mean that recovery is over.

Many cardiac arrest survivors continue to struggle with fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, PTSD, weakness, and cognitive problems for months or even years after spending time in the ICU. Yet many have never heard of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).

In this video of The Heart Warrior Project, Dr. Brian Peach, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida, ICU nurse researcher, and one of the world’s leading advocates for PICS awareness, joins us for a live Q&A meetup to answer a range of questions about this topic.

The resources mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://...

19/07/2026

Just appeared on TV! 📺😁 Next year, I’ll be setting off on a month-long kayaking journey across Europe to raise money and awareness for cardiogenetic research.

You can watch the segment here (note that it’s in Dutch):
https://www.gva.be/atv/hartpatient-jellis-33-wil-15.000-euro-inzamelen-met-kajaktocht-door-europa/158936118.html

And if anyone feels inspired to donate, you can do so here: https://acties.uzafoundation.be/en-GB/project/kayakken-voor-cardiogenetisch-onderzoek?tab=overview

Volgend jaar doorkruist Jellis Vaes uit Berchem Europa met de kajak. Dat doet hij om geld in te zamelen voor onderzoek naar genetische hartziektes aan de UZA Foundation in Edegem. Jellis is 33 leeft zelf met ACM, een ongeneeslijke erfelijke hartziekte, en overleefde vijf jaar geleden een hartstilsta...

15/07/2026

Across almost the whole world, temperatures have been incredibly high. ☀️ It is not only important to stay hydrated 💧, but also to stay protected from the sun.

A cap is an essential item during this weather! 🧢 And we have one that does more than look good and protect you from the sun.

With every purchase, you will also be supporting the quality of life of cardiac arrest survivors and those at risk by allowing us to continue providing emotional support. ❤️

What’s more, and as grand as it sounds, it is true: you are even helping to save lives through this purchase. 🙌

It also allows us to continue raising awareness about CPR, organizing events, and creating content to educate people.

All the money from this purchase goes directly back into the project, allowing us to continue doing what we do.

The cap is comfortable, made from breathable fabric, and comes in four different colours: Black, Camel, Dark Olive, and Oxford Navy. 🖤🤎💚💙

Interested in a Heart Warrior Project cap? 🧢❤️ https://heartwarriorproject.com/merchandise/heart-warrior-project-hat/

12/07/2026

Health trackers… They are becoming increasingly popular. But can a health tracker actually help when you live with a heart condition, or could it make you more anxious?

After wearing the WHOOP health tracker for 11 months, I wanted to share what I personally found useful as someone living with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, an ICD, and exercise limitations.
Although I used WHOOP, many of the features I discuss are also available on health trackers from other brands.

The main features that I believe could potentially benefit us heart warriors include AFib detection, ECG readings, blood-pressure monitoring, sleep-quality tracking, heart-rate monitoring during exercise, and estimated biological age.

Health trackers worth checking out include:

- WHOOP
- Google Fitbit Air
- Polar Loop
- Amazfit Helio Strap
- Hume Band 2.0

I’m also joined by Dr. Samuel Sears, a clinical health psychologist who has worked extensively with people living with ICDs and heart disease. He shares his perspective from a clinical and academic standpoint.

By bringing these two perspectives together, I hope this video and podcast episode will give you enough information to decide whether trying a health tracker is right for you.

Important: This video does not constitute medical advice. Always discuss health data, exercise limits, symptoms, and device readings with your cardiologist or medical team.

Health trackers… They are becoming increasingly popular. But can a ...