Partner Spotlight: A|Train Fitness Coaching

One of the gifts we’ve experienced at Survivor Fitness is the opportunity to partner with world-class fitness centers and nutrition partners across Tennessee. And while participants often talk about how life-changing it is to work with a fitness specialist, the experience is just as impactful for our coaches and trainers. 

Every trainer, fitness center, and nutritional specialist we partner with has their own reason for being part of the Survivor Fitness network. For some, it’s an opportunity to help make a tangible difference for someone who’s gone through a difficult season. Others have a more personal connection. That’s the story for Anita Slaughter, owner of A|Train Fitness Coaching in Nashville. 

Anita has been a personal trainer and fitness coach for more than 20 years. While some trainers are drawn to the performance coaching and aesthetic component of fitness, Anita always knew the health component would drive her fitness career. She also had a personal connection with cancer that made her decision to partner with Survivor Fitness a “no-brainer.” 

“My mother had a full hysterectomy and double mastectomy by the age of 34. She had non-Hodgkins lymphoma as a teenager. She’s a fighter through and through,” Anita recalled. “Knowing the impact fitness and proper nutrition has on our overall health and ability to fight off cancer and disease is all the inspiration I need!”

Anita and her team at A|Train have been working with Survivor Fitness participants for years. As a Cancer Exercise Specialist Certification Facility, the team at A|Train does an incredible job of helping participants take a step-by-step approach toward wellness, focusing on one day at a time.

Getting Survivors Back on Their Feet Again 

Every Survivor Fitness participant has their own unique story and journey of recovery. Most are looking for ways to recover at least some of the strength and endurance they experienced before their diagnosis. Everyone’s journey is different as they look to recover strength and return to their routines after a cancer diagnosis. Anita highlighted one particular story in which that goal was quite literal. 

“If I had to single out a particularly inspiring moment, it was a client who was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma and lost a good portion of her quadricep muscle,” Anita shared.  

The participant’s only goal was to be able to get off the ground after playing with her grandchildren. She had been told by a physical therapist that she had too much muscle loss to be able to push up from the ground without assistance. Carrie Loughlin, the participant’s A|Train Fitness coach, suggested they just work with the muscles that were still functioning effectively. 

“I’ll never forget that moment. I was at my desk, and I heard shouting and I thought something horrific happened,” Anita remembered. “I ran downstairs to find her crying tears of joy!  For the first time, she was able to stand up from the floor on her own!”  

It was a moment that no one in that room will ever forget. Anita described how they were all in tears and their outlook on life was forever changed. 

Experiencing a Future of Hope 

It can be overwhelming for cancer survivors to even know where to begin after a life-altering experience. The team of coaches at A|Train do an incredible job of guiding and directing participants to undertake safe and effective fitness programs. 

Every cancer survivor they train receives a personalized approach. Anita and her team tailor each program based on the participant’s age, diagnosis, fitness level, and what treatments they received.

The recovery journey is full of difficult and challenging moments. But it’s a different kind of journey than the one cancer survivors experience during treatment. 

“My favorite part of working with participants is the first time they see HOPE in their future,” Anita described. “For us to be able to provide direction and guidance toward a healthy future makes my heart full. It is an emotional journey and lots of tears of joy are shed throughout the process.”

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

We’re incredibly grateful for the team at A|Train and the life-changing expertise they offer Survivor Fitness participants.

If you’re a personal trainer or fitness center who is interested in supporting cancer survivors after treatment, connect with our team to learn how you can join the Survivor Fitness network.

If you’re a cancer survivor looking to “get back on your feet” after treatment, we’d love for you to check out our program or submit an application today! 

Participant Spotlight: Ursula Dahnelt

Survivor Fitness was founded on the principle of supporting cancer survivors  “no matter your age, no matter your fitness level, no matter your diagnosis.” Because of technology like video-conferencing, we’ve also been able to add “location” to our list of “no matters”. While Survivor Fitness was founded in Nashville and has expanded to cities across Tennessee, several of our fitness partners also offer virtual training courses which have created the opportunity to serve cancer patients in rural areas or even different states.  

Ursula Dahnelt is a Survivor Fitness participant who recently completed our training program virtually. She has proven that a desire to stay healthy is all you need to take the steps from survivor to thriver. 

A Long Battle with Cancer

Ursula is a Colorado native who loves to hike and explore the outdoors. In 2017, Ursula was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For her, coming to accept her diagnosis was the hardest part of the journey which included five years of constant treatment. 

“I have been in a lot of treatment for the last five years with only little breaks,” Ursula recalled. “It puts a toll on body and mind.” 

The harsh medication caused Ursula to experience a lot of fatigue. She also lost strength along the way which was frustrating. Thankfully, her treatment plan worked, but after five years of constant treatment, Ursula struggled to find the motivation to get back into fitness again. That’s when she stumbled across Survivor Fitness.

“I saw Survivor Fitness mentioned online. I don’t remember where exactly, but I was intrigued and immediately sent an email expressing my interest.” 

A Turning Point of Accomplishment

Ursula was connected with Emma, one of our Survivor Fitness training coaches, in September of 2022. Together, they met online twice a week for three months. After her first training session, Ursula was hooked.  

“Emma made the class fun, and I gained strength week by week. It is not easy with age, but I am grateful that she helped me obtain my goal of getting stronger again.” 

Ursula completed the 12-week training program without missing a single class. After completing her sessions, she recalled how the program helped her address the toll that treatment had on her mentally and physically. Through a mix of functional strength training exercises, Ursula was able to build power, increase endurance, and gain better posture. Her confidence also grew along the way. 

“Survivor Fitness helped me build up my strength and become confident in myself again. I love being able to open bottles and containers with my own strength. That is a wonderful accomplishment.” 

A New Journey in the Right Direction

Like many Survivor Fitness participants, Ursula used the program as a springboard to continue her recovery journey. Today, Ursula continues to attend strength and fitness training classes at her local training center. 

“Survivor Fitness was such a great find to move in the right direction again. It was not easy, but my motivation to complete the program then allowed me to continue outside of Survivor Fitness by attending local classes.” 

She credits her time with Emma and Survivor Fitness as a turning point in her recovery journey.

“The Survivor Fitness training gave me an edge to join those classes. Without those three months of private training with Survivor Fitness, I would have become discouraged very fast and would have ended up not continuing with my workouts.”

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

We realize that cancer doesn’t discriminate and wanted to create a program that would be beneficial for any and every survivor. As a result, we’ve worked with participants from all walks of life. Our fitness trainers understand the toll that cancer treatment has on the body and do an incredible job of working with each participant to develop a personal training routine that leads to transformation and cultivates the motivation to continue their post-cancer journey. 

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain health and wellness after cancer, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more about our program as well as our in-person or virtual training options.

3 Healthy Recipes For “Make Ahead Meals”

Spring is the season we start looking for lighter, fresher ingredients to incorporate into our weekly meal plan. The seasonal fruits and vegetables that weren’t available during the winter begin stocking the baskets at local farmers’ markets and grocery stores again. But between work responsibilities, social commitments, and extracurricular activities that come with longer days, it’s easy to fill your schedule. 

We all know how difficult it can be to eat healthily (especially when you don’t feel like cooking) or when your calendar is full. That’s why we wanted to share a few of our go-to “make ahead” meal recipes. To make it even easier, we’ve included a breakfast, lunch, and dinner option so that you’re covered for the entire day. 

Here are three of our top healthy recipes for nutritious meals straight from the Survivor Fitness collection of our favorite recipes book that incorporate fresh healthy ingredients and can be prepared in advance:

Cheesy Egg Bites

Eggs and cheese are two delicious ways to add protein to your breakfast. In this recipe from Nourished Routes, we’ve shared our favorite way to create these yummy breakfast bites, but you can always customize and try different variations based on the fresh vegetables or local cheeses you want to incorporate. Asparagus is a great spring veggie to include, and herbs like chives or green onions can also enhance flavor and add color. 

Ingredients 

  • 10 large eggs 
  • 2 Tbsp milk 
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped 
  • 1/2 cup white mushroom, chopped 
  • 1/4 cherry tomatoes, quartered 
  • 1/4 cup white onion, diced 
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
  • Salt and pepper to taste   

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. 
  2. Line a muffin tin with muffin cups. 
  3. In a small bowl, mix bell pepper, mushroom, tomatoes, onion, and cheese. 
  4. Spoon one spoonful of mixture into each prepared muffin cup. 
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. 
  6. Add salt and pepper. 
  7. Pour egg mixture over vegetable mixture until muffin cups are no more than 3/4 full. 
  8. Bake for 20 minutes, until the eggs are set in the center and lose their shine on the top. 
  9. Enjoy while still hot, or place in the refrigerator for up to 6 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad

A Mediterranean diet is known for its well-balanced and healthy recipes. This Feel Good Foodie recipe offers a great option for any day on the go. Prepped on the weekend or at the beginning of the week, you’ll have an easy lunch option packed full of Omega 3s that can be used in salads or sandwiches. 

Ingredients 

  • 2 (5 oz) cans of white albacore tuna in water, drained 
  • 2 celery stalks, minced 
  • 2 Tbsp minced red onion 
  • 1/3 cup 2% Greek yogurt 
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice 
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 
  • 1/4 tsp salt 
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper 
  • 1 Tbsp chopped parsley

Directions 

  1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and parsley until well combined. 
  2. Add the drained tuna on top, along with celery and red onions. 
  3. Stir until well combined. 
  4. Serve on its own, in a sandwich, or on toast.

Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

Crock pots are a lifesaver when you want to create a hearty meal, but you don’t have much time on your hands. It’s also perfect for low-energy days. This tasty dairy-free, gluten-free dish from Easy Family Recipes allows you to dump all the ingredients in and cooks while you attend to other responsibilities! 

Ingredients 

  • 3 lbs boneless and skinless chicken breasts
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced 
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper 
  • 14 oz canned artichoke hearts, drained and quartered 
  • 8 oz jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil with herbs 
  • 8 oz baby spinach 
  • 1 onion, diced 

Directions 

  1. Lay the chicken breast in the crock pot and season with salt, pepper, and pressed garlic. 
  2. On top of the chicken combine the sun-dried tomatoes (with oil and herbs,) artichoke hearts, and onion. 
  3. Cook on high for 2.5-3 hours, or low for 3.5-4 hours. 
  4. Once the chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temp) open the crock pot and add the spinach on top. 
  5. Leave the lid closed for 5-10 minutes to let the spinach wilt before stirring it into the toppings. 
  6. Serve hot either as whole chicken breasts with the toppings or shredded and mixed with the toppings. Pair with your favorite grain, such as couscous, rice, freekeh, farro, or quinoa. 

Hungry for More? 

It can be difficult to brainstorm delicious recipes,  grocery shop, and prepare food each week. Meal planning and prep becomes even more difficult when you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis, treatment, or recovery. 

The Survivor Fitness collection of recipes book helps program participants create easy, healthy meals to support healing. All recipes were selected and collected by the Survivor Fitness team. Organized by meal category (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), it’s another resource we are proud to offer to make recovery just a little easier. 

Survivor Fitness: Support for Survivors

Survivor Fitness works with cancer survivors to help them regain their health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for ways to regain your mental and physical strength, we want to help. Learn more about our program and how we will walk alongside you to progress your post-treatment recovery, empowering you to take control of your healing journey. Connect with us today to learn more!

Partner Spotlight: Performance Training, Inc.

performance training team

When Survivor Fitness launched our program in Nashville in 2013, we quickly realized how many cancer survivors across our state needed support when it came to building strength, losing weight, or regaining a sense of normalcy after a cancer diagnosis. Initially, we began partnering with trainers and fitness centers in Brentwood and Murfreesboro. In 2018, we had the opportunity to expand into our next major city: Knoxville. As we were looking for a way to expand the reach of our program, our friends at Performance Training enthusiastically offered their support. The owner of Performance Training, Jackie Ansley, and her team were passionate about learning everything they could to support cancer survivors during recovery. 

Jared Lawrence, Director of Development & Marketing at Performance Training, worked with our very first Survivor Fitness participant in Knoxville. Today, he is the first point of contact for our Knoxville participants who train at PTI. Like many of the trainers and dietitians who work with participants, Jared’s life has been impacted by the program just as much as the people he trains.

A New Perspective About What’s Possible 

“Before I started with Survivor Fitness, cancer was just a word to me because I hadn’t been personally impacted by it,” Jared explained. “Now that I’ve seen the difference that health and fitness make for people after treatment, I want to help in every single way that I can.” 

Jared understands that signing up for a fitness program after treatment might be intimidating. That’s why the team at PTI has done an incredible job of creating a positive and encouraging environment for people of every age, fitness level, or diagnosis. 

“If you come in just once, you’ll quickly realize that you’re not alone,” Jared said. “We’re going to welcome you and accept you where you are. You might meet three or four other cancer survivors along the way.”

Countless Stories of Inspiration and Transformation

Jared is inspired by the transformation that participants experience from their first visit to the gym to the conclusion of their program. As he recalled his experience with Survivor Fitness, Jared reflected on numerous stories of the many participants that have benefited. 

One such participant was named Deb. Deb was the first Survivor Fitness participant in Knoxville. (And she just recently celebrated her 5-year cancer-free anniversary!) Although she was initially hesitant to start training, today she participates in the SF group fitness program at PTI multiple days per week. 

Jared also recalled working with a 30-year-old participant who was looking to gain strength after cancer treatment. He wanted to regain strength in his legs so he could get back to the lifting he enjoyed before cancer. When he first started the program, he could only squat around 100 pounds. When he left, he was squatting 315!

“Honestly, it’s hard for me to pick a single inspiring moment or story because they all are special,” Jared said. “There are countless moments of encouragement, hope, and positivity that I’ve seen over the years.” 

Helping Survivors “Get Their Glow Back” 

Jared and the team at Performance Training are intentional about giving participants the peace of mind that they can achieve things that seem impossible when they first start. 

“It might be easy for people to think there’s so much they CAN’T do because they had cancer,” he recalled. “Yet, they’ve survived surgery, cancer, chemo, and/or radiation. We want to help them realize they actually CAN do it.”

That’s what Jared likes to see. Getting people back to the point that they could do things that they thought they could never do again.

“Many of the participants get their glow back,” he expressed. “I love getting to tell people that they are going to be able to regain some of the stuff they lost during cancer, like picking up their grandkids, running around with their kids, or running a half marathon.” 

To date, the team at Performance Training has served more than 80 participants. Their team has worked with over a dozen cancer survivors this year alone. We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership and look forward to more stories of transformation for our Knoxville Survivor Fitness participants for years to come. 

If you’re a cancer survivor in Tennessee, connect with our team today to learn how you can get started with our program!