Ashley Cain admits he is 'mentally, physically and emotionally battered' during gruelling Ultraman challenge as he opens up about his beautiful co-parenting relationship
Ashley Cain has revealed that he is 'mentally, physically and emotionally battered' as he takes on the final stint of his gruelling Ultraman challenge.
The former footballer, 33, exclusively told MailOnline that he doesn't actually enjoy running but is fuelled by the heartbreak of losing his daughter to cancer.
Azaylia, who he welcomed with his ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee, 36, tragically passed away from leukaemia in April 2021.
Since her devastating death, he has devoted his days to taking on near-impossible challenges and endured blood, sweat and tears to keep his daughter's 'legacy alive'.
Ashley, who is also the father to six-month-old Aliyas, admitted the pain of the challenge was the 'least of his worries', but he has suffered some severe injuries.
Ashley Cain has revealed that he is 'mentally, physically and emotionally battered' as he takes on the final stint of his gruelling Ultraman challenge
The former footballer, 33, exclusively told MailOnline that he doesn't actually enjoy running but is fuelled by the heartbreak of losing his daughter Azaylia to cancer
He told MailOnline: 'I'm battered mentally, I'm battered physically and I'm battered emotionally. I think the physical pain is the least of my worries because I think mentally if you want it enough and it means enough to you, you can always push through that and push past that.
'I've had multiple tears now in my muscles. I've run the last six marathons with stress fractures in my shins.'
Just days ago, Ashley revealed the physical agony in an Instagram post which featured a video showing his foot, bloodied and bandaged, with one of his toenails peeling off.
He has taken on more than just physical dangers, as he also revealed some of the peril conditions that he has survived.
Ashley confessed that one time out at sea he realised he was surrounded by 'hundreds of thousands' of jellyfish and when he paddles up to Scotland he will face the risks of Orcas and Killer Whales head-on.
The very real dangers that he has encountered daily have meant that previous experiences that would upset him, such as road rage and being trolled, now don't seem worth the upset.
He said: 'It is not normal, but then I start to understand what's serious. So then when I get back and I might see a negative comment, it just really doesn't matter.
'I just think that person who's commented probably hasn't got out of bed that day. They are probably sitting in their house really unhappy and what they have to say has no impact on my life whatsoever.
Ashley, who is also the father to six-month-old Aliyas, admitted the pain of the challenge was the 'least of his worries', but he has suffered some severe injuries
Azaylia, who he welcomed with his ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee, 36, (pictured) tragically passed away from leukaemia in April 2021
Since her devastating death, he has devoted his days to taking on near-impossible challenges and endured blood, sweat and tears to keep his daughter's legacy alive
'But I can make sure I have an impact on my life and hundreds if not millions, of other people's lives on a day-to-day basis by doing what I am doing.'
But while the former Coventry City player pushes himself to the limits, Ashley revealed that he doesn't actually enjoy the physical aspect of the challenge and has taken on the quest to keep a positive mindset and stay close to Azaylia.
He told MailOnline: 'I don't enjoy running. I don't enjoy cycling. I don't enjoy being out on the sea every single day, but afterwards, I have never felt better, and I will always feel better afterwards than before I started. And that's the key.
'It is that delayed gratification and that is what we need sometimes in life and being out here and facing this like I'm battling for my life every day in the sea, that's not safe, we are not paddling around the beach, we paddling out there in the waters.
'We have seen dolphins, we have seen seals, we have seen sharks.'
Ashley opened up to MailOnline about his 'beautiful' co-parenting relationship with the mother of his son Aliyas.
He revealed that while he and Aliyas's mother, who has not been identified, are not together, they will stay friends because they love and respect each other.
The father told MailOnline: 'We're keeping as friends, and we are co-parenting. We have a very good relationship, so that's how it is staying.
It's been beautiful, really to be able to get on, not amicably, but so well, even better, we both have Aliyas's best interests in heart.
'We both have love and respect for each other. And we both just want to be the best parents we can. And not only enjoy our son, but let us and enjoy the most of us and the most of life.
'So we're doing everything. It's very comfortable. It's very easy. And we make the best decisions based on our son, so great.'
But while the former Coventry City player pushes himself to the limits, Ashley revealed that he doesn't actually enjoy the physical aspect of the challenge and has taken on the quest to keep a positive mindset and stay close to Azaylia
Ashley is being supported on the sidelines by his son Aliyas and he opened up to MailOnline about his 'beautiful' co-parenting relationship
He revealed that while he and Aliyas's mother, who has not been identified, are not together, they will stay friends because they love and respect each other
The pair have been friends since they were 18 and have reportedly dated on and off over the years.
Ashley has raised over £100,000 for the charity set up in his daughter's memory through his 2,780-mile Ultraman Challenge, which was started on April 24 - the anniversary of Azaylia's passing - and will finish on July 25.
He is travelling from Land's End to John O'Groats three times, running the entire distance north before cycling back to the bottom of England and then kayaking back to the top of the Scottish coast.
Ashley is taking on the world's first 95-day pursuit for The Azaylia Foundation, which raises vital funds for childhood cancer.
Ashley's eight-month-old daughter Azaylia tragically passed away after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia shortly after she was born.
Since then, Ashley has campaigned tirelessly for the thousands of children fighting cancer every day in the UK and helped set up the Foundation in his daughter's name.
Ashley is no stranger to physical challenges, and has run several marathons, ultramarathons, cycled the length of Britain, kayaked 1000 miles and climbed one of the world's highest peaks in Azaylia's memory, but the Ultraman Challenge has been his biggest yet.
As well as raising over £106k for The Azaylia Foundation so far, Ashley is also hoping to set a World Record and become the first person to complete a challenge like this.
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Ashley said: 'I'm doing this for my daughter, Azaylia, and to fight childhood cancer, the disease that took her away from me.
'It's 2,780 miles of physical endurance and mental strength, but for me it's about turning the pain of losing my beautiful daughter into a purpose, and I know that I'll have the guidance and protection of my little hero, watching me from above every day.
'There are thousands of children like Azaylia who are fighting cancer every day. The pain of losing her is nothing compared to doing this challenge and I will push myself as hard as I can to continue the fight against this cruel disease.
'Childhood cancer is the number one killer of our children and I hope that with this challenge, we can raise a lot more awareness, a lot more funding and enable a brighter future for these children. Let's go champ!'