At Survivor Fitness, we’re proud to have a board filled with talented professionals who bring their hearts to our mission. Each person around the table shares a deep commitment to helping cancer survivors rebuild their strength physically, mentally, and emotionally after treatment.
One of those dedicated leaders is Kelsey Brown, marketing strategy manager for Covenant Health in Knoxville. Kelsey brings a unique perspective shaped by her career in healthcare and her own personal connection to the survivor community.
The Personal Connection: From Marketing to Mission
Kelsey first learned about Survivor Fitness through her friend and fellow board member, Whitney Biggs. The connection was an immediate fit, aligning Kelsey’s professional work in healthcare with a cause close to her heart.
“In my role at Covenant Health, I work closely with our oncology service line and have a front-row seat to so many inspiring patient stories. When I learned about Survivor Fitness, I immediately saw an opportunity to help people beyond the clinical setting.”
For Kelsey, the motivation goes deeper than her job description. It’s rooted in a life-changing experience from her early twenties: watching her mother, who was the picture of health, face an invasive breast cancer diagnosis.
“That news absolutely rocked our world,” she recalls. “Watching her battle through chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery with such strength and hope changed my perspective on life.”
Through her mom’s journey, Kelsey saw firsthand how much support survivors need once treatment ends. “Survivor Fitness’s mission resonates with me so deeply because it extends care to survivors after their medical treatment ends,” she said. “It truly feels like a continuation of care, and I know from my mom’s journey just how important that support is.”
Her personal story combined with her professional background in oncology marketing made joining the Survivor Fitness board a natural fit.
When Worlds Collide: Clinical Care Meets Wellness
Kelsey’s role at Covenant Health allows her to see where the patient journey often ends and when recovery after treatment truly begins. Her work experience makes the mission of Survivor Fitness especially clear and impactful to her.
One moment that stands out to Kelsey is meeting a former Covenant Health patient who later joined Survivor Fitness after treatment. “They received excellent care clinically and then continued their journey with Survivor Fitness to rebuild their strength,” she said. “Seeing those two worlds—clinical care and survivor wellness—come together is incredibly rewarding. It really highlights that we’re making a difference at every step of someone’s recovery.”
This connection reinforces why the mission is so crucial. While cancer survival rates are improving, there is still a significant gap in support once the active treatment phase is over.
The Future is Strong
As Survivor Fitness continues to grow, Kelsey is excited about what’s ahead for the organization and the survivors it serves. “There is so much opportunity in the future of Survivor Fitness,” she said. “The organization recognized a critical gap in support for survivors and stepped up to fill it. Every new survivor we can help inspires us to push further.”
When asked what advice she’d share with participants in the program, Kelsey didn’t hesitate. “Take advantage of all of the services—personal training, nutrition, and mental health counseling,” she said. “You’ve fought a tough battle, and you deserve all the support available. By embracing every resource in the program, you’ll set yourself up to become even stronger and healthier in this next chapter.”
A Champion for Survivors
Whether she’s helping tell survivor stories through her work at Covenant Health or serving as a voice for the Survivor Fitness mission, Kelsey Brown is passionate about helping people heal, grow, and thrive.
Her blend of professional insight and personal compassion makes her an invaluable part of the Survivor Fitness community and a shining example of how hope and healing go hand in hand.
