Heidi details health struggles that led to 18-month DJ hiatus

Canadian DJ and Jackathon Jams label founder Heidi has shared details of ongoing health struggles that led to her taking an 18-month break from DJing.

In a statement shared via Instagram last week (March 19), Heidi wrote: "Some of you may have wondered why I went quiet in the middle of 2024. After taking time to properly recover and recharge in New Zealand and Australia for the past three months, I finally feel ready to share my story."

Heidi shared that she was first diagnosed with uterine fibroids following a miscarriage in 2014, which "caused intense pain for so long l can't remember when I wasn't hurting". 

"At the peak of my career, the train was moving so fast I felt like I couldn't get off - and nor did I want to if I'm honest," she continues. "I worked really hard to get to that point and just ignored my own body.

"There were times I had to cancel shows because I could barely move, let alone stand and DJ. I felt people created their own narratives around why I wasn't there and it was heartbreaking." 

Heidi went on to detail suffering from burnout in 2024, when a "doctor finally looked deeper and discovered cancerous cells in my uterus alongside nine fibroids, some the size of grapefruits and oranges." After undergoing surgery, she was also diagnosed with endometriosis. 

In order to recover from a "full abdominal hysterectomy" last May, Heidi was forced to take an 18-month break from DJing — returning for a run shows in Australia at the beginning of this year and later Bugged Out Weekender.

"After everything, I can finally say: I feel better than I have in over a decade," she adds. "The pain I lived with for so long is gone. I'm still navigating hormones and emotions, but I feel like a new person. I'm grateful to everyone who check in, held my hand and stood by me while I was quiet." 

You can read Heidi's full statement below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X