Survivor Fitness 2025 Year in Review: Celebrating Growth, Strength, and Community

survivor fitness year in reveiw

Every year, we’re moved by the strength and resilience of the cancer survivors we serve. The need for post-treatment care remains great, but we’ve made significant strides to support survivors. This past year reminded us that the road to recovery is never meant to be walked alone. When a caring community steps in, that impact reaches farther than any of us can imagine.

As we wrap up the year, here are a few things we are proud to celebrate:

1. Reaching Our Highest Participant Numbers

This year brought the largest number of cancer survivors to our programs since Survivor Fitness began. We supported participants through nearly 8,500 personal training sessions, 2,000 more than last year. Our nutrition programs also saw incredible growth, with hundreds of one-on-one sessions. A year after launching, our mental health counseling program connected even more survivors with trusted therapists who helped them navigate recovery emotionally as well as physically.

Behind every number is a real story of someone rebuilding strength, reclaiming confidence, or taking hopeful steps forward after treatment. If you haven’t yet, take a moment to read some of the life-changing stories from this year. They’re a powerful reminder of why our work matters so much.

2. Expanding Our Reach Across Tennessee and the Country

Survivor Fitness began in the greater Nashville area, expanded into Knoxville and Chattanooga, and continued to grow from there. The pandemic opened the door to virtual training, which became one of our most important tools to increase access. In 2025, our reach grew more than ever before. This year, we proudly served survivors not only in Tennessee but also across the country, in states like Texas, California, Washington, and New York. 

If you’re a cancer survivor exploring what life looks like after treatment, we would love to support you. Our in-person and virtual programs allow participants to connect from wherever they call home.

3. Increasing Engagement and Attendance at Events 

Community support fuels nearly everything we do, and 2025 showed us how strong that support truly is. Attendance soared across all Survivor Fitness events, including Rock the Row gatherings in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, and our Soirées in Nashville and Knoxville.

These events gave more people the chance to hear directly from participants, celebrate their progress, and join in making the post-treatment journey more hopeful for others. The generosity of donors and partners this year directly expanded our participant scholarships and future programs. We’re deeply grateful for that.

If you want to join us in 2026, be sure to follow us on Facebook or check out details about our upcoming events. You can also sign up to volunteer or become a partner at any point throughout the year. 

4. Launching New Support Programs

Helping survivors complete their initial training program is powerful, but continued support matters just as much. This year, we focused on creating opportunities for participants to stay connected and keep building healthy habits over time.

In 2025, we introduced new at-home yoga classes, women’s health workshops, and a series of virtual nutrition classes to make wellness more accessible to everyone. Several alumni fitness groups formed as well, giving past participants a space to encourage one another long after their program ended.

These initiatives grew faster than we expected. Learn more about our ongoing support options to see how we’re planning to build on them next year.  

5. Welcoming New Team Members and Board Leaders

A mission is only as strong as the people behind it. This year, we welcomed several new board members and team members who bring both professional expertise and personal passion to Survivor Fitness. With experience in healthcare, business, community leadership, and nonprofit service, each individual adds valuable insight to our work. 

Meet some of our newest board and team members.

Be Part of Making 2026 Even Stronger

As we celebrate the year behind us, our eyes are already on the hope ahead. Survivor Fitness is growing because survivors continue to seek support, communities continue to show up, and people continue to believe in the power of healing after treatment.

Thank you for being part of this mission—whether you’re a participant, partner, donor, trainer, or friend who cheers from the sidelines. We can’t wait to make an even greater impact together in 2026.

If you’re ready to get involved, join us. Learn how you can become a supporter or apply to participate in our programs today. 

Board Member Spotlight: Kelsey Brown

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.

Participant Spotlight: Melanie Waller

Cancer has a way of marking time. You remember the exact dates, the faces in the room, the way fear and disbelief sit heavy in your chest. For many survivors, it’s not just the treatment that’s hard, it’s the mental and emotional weight that follows. The mix of fear, guilt, and gratitude can feel overwhelming. 

Survivor Fitness participant Melanie Waller, who faced her diagnosis while navigating a major life change and the responsibility of caring for her family, knows that journey well.

Diagnosis and the Guilt of “Good” News

Melanie had recently moved back to Nashville after three decades in Colorado to help care for her parents and her developmentally disabled sister, Amy. On July 2, 2024, a routine mammogram led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

“I remember it so clearly because my sister was away at camp,” Melanie shared. “I was so grateful she wasn’t home when I found out. I was so shocked and just wrote down—’I have cancer.’”

With the help of her best friend, a nurse, Melanie quickly connected with Dr. Lisa Bellin, an oncologist, who provided clarity and compassion in a difficult moment. “I couldn’t imagine going through the weekend without talking to someone about next steps,” Melanie said. “Dr. Bellin was amazing, to say the least.”

Two months later, Melanie underwent a double mastectomy. Less than a month after surgery, she received the news that she wouldn’t need chemotherapy or radiation. Still, the road to recovery was far from easy.

“I was skeptical about joining Survivor Fitness because I felt so bad after surgery and the medications,” she said. “I also felt guilty because I didn’t have ‘bad’ cancer. I thought I shouldn’t ask for help when things could have been worse.”

Furthermore, she was out of shape before surgery and gained weight during recovery. Her independence was shaken, and a deep mistrust of her body set in. “I didn’t like going on walks by myself because I kept thinking I would fall down. It was odd because I am so used to being independent and taking care of myself and other people.”

Finding Hope Through Survivor Fitness

Despite her doubts, Melanie decided to complete the Survivor Fitness application before her reconstructive surgery. “When they called about joining the program, I felt a sliver of hope,” she said. “But I wasn’t sure if I would actually do it.”

Melanie started the program in April 2025 at 360 Fitness, where she was paired with Coach Marissa Erickson. The environment she encountered was immediately welcoming.

“Walking into the gym that first day was overwhelming. The entire staff was amazing and supportive. Not to mention they have a resident dog, Murphy, who greets you at the door.”

Along with her fitness training, Melanie also met with a Survivor Fitness nutritionist who shared recipes that she still uses today. “It was such a simple thing, but it made a huge difference,” she said. “They gave me the tools I needed to take care of my body again.”

A Life Transformed

The progress Melanie has made since joining Survivor Fitness has been remarkable. “Survivor Fitness, Marissa, and the staff at 360 Fitness are a big part of overcoming the challenges,” she shared. “They encouraged me continuously and met me where I was. My mindset was in the dumps when I started, but I have come so far.”

Since beginning the program, Melanie has lost more than 25 pounds, feels stronger, and experiences less pain. “My knees hurt less. My arm strength is amazing. I feel good again. I feel like myself from three years prior,” she said. 

Even more meaningful than the physical results is the mental clarity and confidence she’s regained. “I had no idea how much better I would feel just moving my body in a way that was safe and tailored for me,” she explained. “I like working out. I like getting stronger. I want to lift heavy weights and get in really good shape. I’m motivated to keep going!”

Paths Crossing for a Purpose

Melanie Waller’s story highlights how often we are surrounded by a community of people willing to help, even in unexpected places. In September 2025, Melanie celebrated one year cancer-free. A few weeks later, she attended a fundraising event for her sister’s day program, Friends Life Community. There, she experienced an unexpected reminder of how connected life can be.

“Sitting next to me on the shuttle bus was my breast surgeon,” Melanie said with a smile. “It was so out of context that I was confused at first. Then I learned she was there to support her son, who is also developmentally disabled. It reminded me how small the world is and how our paths often cross in ways we never expect.”

Finding Strength in Community

Melanie’s story is a reminder that even when we feel isolated, we’re surrounded by people ready to help—sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Through Survivor Fitness, Melanie found a team that believed in her when she wasn’t sure she could believe in herself. “They met me where I was and helped me get back to who I am,” she said.

Today, Melanie continues to train regularly, celebrate her progress, and live with renewed confidence and purpose. If you’re ready to take the next step in your cancer recovery journey, learn more about our programs or apply today.