Participant Spotlight: Ashley Hensley

Every cancer survivor knows what it’s like to deal with the uncertainty after their diagnosis. There are so many unknowns and questions. How long will this impact my life? Will I ever get back to normal? What does normal even mean? How should I approach my everyday activities in light of my diagnosis? These were the questions that Survivor Fitness participant Ashley Hensley asked herself when she was diagnosed with cancer in the midst of a season that was already filled with uncertainty.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma, to be exact) in November of 2020 while on furlough from my job during the pandemic,” Ashley explained. “That was a year full of uncertainty.”

After radiation treatment, Ashley was prescribed a plan to take tamoxifen for the next ten years because her tumor was estrogen positive. While the medication helps prevent cancer from returning, some of the side effects have a noticeable impact on physical activity and capacity. 

Ashley heard about Survivor Fitness from her oncologist about a year after her initial diagnosis. She joined as soon as she could after treatments as a way to get her confidence back. 

Finding the Mental Strength for the Fight

Ashley already lived an active lifestyle prior to her diagnosis. This helped her find the strength she needed to undergo treatment. After treatment, she wanted to find a way to get back to normal. Survivor Fitness became a way for Ashley to regain mental strength and fortitude as her fight against cancer transitioned to the next phase. 

“Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, it never really leaves your mind. It still finds its way into my everyday life when I least expect it,” Ashley said. ”I joined Survivor Fitness because I wanted to get stronger so that I am always ready to fight.”

The same determination that helped Ashley persevere through radiation treatment also helped her regain momentum for her new fitness routine.  

“Even on days when I just really don’t feel like it, I keep at it. This program has helped me to be more accountable to myself so that in the end I am getting stronger both mentally and physically. It really is such a mental exercise.” 

Ashley attributes much of her recovery and her new approach to her trainer, Kim Day. 

“Kim is the best trainer. She pushes me when I need a push and supports me when I need support. For the first time in my life, I don’t even look at the scale anymore. Kim has helped me get stronger, and that is what I’m using to measure success.” 

Regaining Strength, Control, & Confidence 

After six months with her trainer, Ashley has already noticed a tremendous difference in her strength and confidence. After such a season of uncertainty, Ashley is grateful for the program and everyone who made it possible for her to get back on track after her cancer detour.

“Survivor Fitness has absolutely helped me to get my confidence back,” Ashley said. “As you might imagine, the body image stuff coupled with tamoxifen can be difficult. This program helped me to get back into that good head space, and it has honestly been the best gift.”

While Ashley continues the fight to keep cancer from returning, she has embraced the same level of consistency and commitment that she originally leaned on after diagnosis. When asked what advice she would give to someone on a similar journey, Ashley shared so much wisdom from her experience.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, but you will get stronger every day. The confidence that you will feel is the absolute best gift that you can give yourself. You will see what your body is capable of and be so proud of yourself.”

Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, Ashley took a courageous “fight like a girl” approach. Needless to say, she’s embraced the same perspective as she continues her journey as a cancer survivor. Ashley’s personality and resolve remind us while we can’t predict the future, we can control how we respond to it.

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

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.

Participant Spotlight: Hillorie McLarty

Every cancer survivor knows that the fight to stay healthy doesn’t end after treatment. In many ways, life after treatment comes with a new set of obstacles and challenges that can affect health, wellness, and emotional well-being. Survivor Hillorie McLarty wanted to face all of those challenges head-on. 

Addressing New Health Challenges as a Cancer Survivor

Hillorie recently reached her 10th anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. Like many survivors, she’s also faced other health challenges over the past decade. In the wake of cancer, Hillorie has had to navigate bursitis, thyroid issues, pre-diabetes, and a hiatal hernia.

Taking the First Step with Survivor Fitness

The good news for Hillorie was that many of her issues could be alleviated or managed through activity and fitness. That’s what led her to become a Survivor Fitness participant.

Hillorie first heard about Survivor Fitness from her oncologist. After learning more about the program, she decided to take the first step by picking up the phone.

“Making the call was probably the hardest part,” Hillorie explained.

Hillorie connected with David Rodgers, a personal trainer at A|Train Fitness, one of Survivor’s affiliate locations. Together, they worked to develop a plan to help Hillorie with her specific health challenges.

“David took time to truly understand my physical challenges and showed me how to regain some strength,” said Hillorie. “Although I’m still suffering from bursitis, I have been given the tools to attain a more active lifestyle.”

Several months into the program, Hillorie has experienced a notable difference. She’s feeling stronger and more confident. She’s also feeling more hopeful about her ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Building Physical and Emotional Strength

Hillorie is an inspiration to our Survivor Fitness community. Her willingness to take the first step to address other health-related challenges has encouraged others to navigate life after cancer. Survivor Fitness has been influential in helping Hillorie regain her strength.

“Survivor Fitness is a program created for those of us lucky enough to survive cancer,” Hillorie expressed. “Participating in the program is a gift not to be treated lightly.”

Through Survivor Fitness, Hillorie has developed a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no matter how difficult. And to those going through a similar journey, she adds, “Never forget you are a survivor.”

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

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.

Participant Spotlight: Quincy Hancock

Participant Spotlight Quincy Hancock

One of the most challenging aspects of a cancer diagnosis is how fast your life changes. After you receive a diagnosis, the next few days and weeks can feel like a whirlwind as you work with doctors to develop a plan and begin treatment. The initial speed and urgency are often physically and emotionally overwhelming. That was exactly how Quincy Hancock described his cancer experience over the span of 6 months. 

“My journey went so fast…”

“… that it was hard for me to process all that was happening,” Quincy explained.

After his doctor detected high PSA levels in December of 2020, Quincy received a biopsy in January and was diagnosed with stage 2A prostate cancer in early February. Two months later, he underwent surgery to remove the cancer. Thankfully, he received a non-detected PSA result in June of 2021. All of this happened while he was still rehabbing his Achilles tendon which he tore just a few months earlier. 

Meaningful Change Takes Time

After receiving his cancer-free designation, Quincy talked with his doctor about his health and recovery goals. This conversation led Quincy to join our Survivor Fitness network in Nashville to help him improve his diet and establish new exercise habits. In addition to working with a Survivor Dietitian/Nutritionist who provided meal suggestions, Quincy was also assigned a personal trainer who assessed his capabilities and designed workouts to help him get back into the habit of exercising.

“The biggest win for me was getting to the point where I actually wanted to work out 3 days a week,” Quincy said. “It was also valuable to realize that working out doesn’t have to be intense, it just has to meet the level of energy I have that day.” 

As every cancer survivor knows, one of the biggest questions after treatment is, “Will I still be able to do the things I loved most before my diagnosis?” For Quincy, this meant cruise vacations. By collaborating with his trainer, Quincy was able to learn exercises he can do at the gym, at home, and even in the middle of the ocean while enjoying his favorite way to travel.

“Be Patient With Yourself”

After 12 weeks with his personal trainer, Quincy developed a personal plan that allowed him to work out 2 to 3 days a week by walking and using resistance bands. He is excited about getting to the point where he can eventually work out at the gym 2 or 3 days a week.

“If there’s one thing I would say to someone else on the journey based on my experience it would be to take care of your mental health too. The emotional recovery is just as important as the physical one. Sometimes this means being patient with yourself. You are stronger than you think, but there are days where you can only do what you can,” he said.  

We are extremely grateful for Quincy Hancock and his participation at Survivor Fitness. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

Participant Spotlight: Roberta Justice

After more than three decades as a cardiac and cath lab nurse, Roberta Justice decided it was time for a change of scenery and switched to oncology in 2018 – a career move she credits with saving her life.

Just four months after she began working at a chemotherapy infusion clinic in Chattanooga, Roberta was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an especially aggressive form of the disease that accounts for roughly 15-20% of all breast cancer cases.

“My patients taught me how important it is to take early action,” explained Roberta. “As soon as I felt like something was wrong, I called the doctor…even though I had just gotten a clean mammogram result.”

Just two weeks after a follow-up mammogram confirmed her diagnosis, Roberta began an intensive course of treatment that included two lumpectomies, 36 radiation treatments, and nine months of chemotherapy that ended in July 2019.

She chose to continue working full-time, which meant she was receiving infusions while helping provide the same treatment for her patients.

“It was interesting being a cancer patient while working with other cancer patients,” she said. “I was always open about it and let my patients know why I was there hooked up to an IV bag. They really became my biggest support group.”

On her first day of chemotherapy treatment, Roberta arrived to see her coworkers all wearing customized t-shirts that read “Justice League,” a play on her surname.

“Their support made such a difference,” Roberta said. “They wore them on treatment days, and patients would wear superhero shirts on those days, too.”

Few others have experienced cancer like Roberta, who has cared for and lost a spouse to cancer, treated cancer patients as a healthcare provider, and both fought and survived the disease herself.

“I’ve experienced cancer from nearly every perspective,” explained Roberta, who now serves as a patient educator in addition to her nursing duties.

“Being a patient educator is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to share my story with our patients so they know what to expect and how to deal with it.”

The advice she offers most often is to fight the identity that cancer carries with it.

“You have to keep being you instead of letting the cancer become who you are,” said Roberta. “If you let it, it can consume you and become your identity. And that makes it harder to focus on moving forward.”

For Roberta, moving forward has meant joining Survivor Fitness in Chattanooga as its very first participant. In June, she began a 12-week program that combines one-on-one personalized fitness training and nutritional counseling to help her regain her strength and stamina.

Her ultimate goal is to resume her regular five-mile walks at a local greenway with her son Joseph, who regularly visits from his home in Atlanta.

“Telling him I had cancer was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Roberta. “But he became my greatest champion. We’ve become closer than ever. And he inspires me to press on.”

To become a Survivor Fitness participant in the Chattanooga area, click here to apply online. 

Participant Spotlight: Charlene Fetzer

Cancer treatment takes a toll, regardless of your age or physical abilities. While we are grateful for the ways radiation and chemotherapy treatment actively fight cancer, we also recognize the debilitating effect they can have on the body. Survivor Fitness participant Charlene Fetzer is a powerful example of someone who knows the difficult cost of chemotherapy but found a greater strength through her decision to rebuild one day, one step at a time. 

At age 33, Charlene was diagnosed with triple-positive IDC breast cancer. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment was extremely difficult on her body. 

“My body suffered tremendously from chemo. I experienced everything from extreme tightness and fatigue in my muscles to bone pain, deterioration, and anemia,” Charlene explained. “At one point I could barely reach my knees when I stretched forward. I tried to stay active during chemo, but each session seemed to build on itself, and the symptoms got progressively worse.”

Charlene finished her final infusion on January 25th, 2022, fifteen months after being diagnosed. That’s when she officially joined the Survivor Fitness community and began taking steps toward rebuilding her strength. 

“The first part of my cancer journey was getting through all the treatments and procedures and beating cancer. The second part came when I was able to create a new lifestyle designed exactly how I wanted to live,” she said. 

Rebuilding with Self-Compassion, One Step at a Time

Charlene found Survivor Fitness before starting her treatment. After speaking with Co-Founder and Executive Director Meg Grunke about the program, Charlene knew it could give her the ability to rebuild after treatment. As soon as she had the opportunity, Charlene began participating in weekly workouts under professional supervision. For her, it was the perfect way to focus on her health without being overwhelmed with how to exercise during her recovery. 

“When I found out about Survivor Fitness, I was so excited…I felt lucky that Tennessee had something to offer to help survivors rebuild their lives. Knowing that Meg and Aaron really understood the complexities of cancer treatments put me at ease. I felt like I would be well taken care of and in good hands with trained professionals.”

Charlene worked with her trainers to develop a program that allowed her to safely rebuild and avoid injury as she recovered. She looks forward to her session each week. It motivates her to continue to take her recovery one step at a time. 

Building Strength & Confidence with Every Session

Since joining the Survivor Fitness community, Charlene has begun rebuilding with more strength training and adopting healthier all-around habits.

“Survivor Fitness has not only given me my strength back but also my confidence. I’ve been able to take things as slowly as I need to with certain parts of my body that have been affected.”

Her workout routine at Survivor Fitness is something Charlene looks forward to. Like many participants, she sees it as her designated “me” time amid all the other responsibilities of life.

Perspective & Advice for the Journey to Rebuild

Charlene’s journey of beating cancer might have been difficult, but it’s given her an incredible empathy that she uses to encourage others who have experienced a life-changing diagnosis. 

“I would tell someone on a cancer journey to be gentle with yourself. Give yourself grace. Take your time. Just take it day by day, hour by hour, or even breath by breath if you have to. Know that there are people out there who care and want to support you. Know you are never alone.” 

We are extremely grateful for Charlene Fetzer and her participation at Survivor Fitness. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

Participant Spotlight: Kit B’Smith

Everyone who battles cancer is a fighter. Then, there are warriors like Kit B’Smith. 

After receiving treatment for his second bout with cancer in 2021, Kit’s medical team deemed the cancer incurable. As they were discussing steps he could take to help his body naturally fight the spread of cancer, Kit found Survivor Fitness.   

“As a Christian, mortality is not an issue for me,” Kit reflected. “My quality of life, however, is very important to me. Cancer has a way of affecting a person’s quality of life. I wanted to do everything I could to improve my quality of life despite cancer’s effect on me.” 

A Personal & Purposeful Partner for the Journey

Working alongside his Survivor Fitness coaches, Kit developed a plan based on his unique situation and needs. This included specific routines that would help him maintain strength and stamina as well as finding creative ways he could work out from home. 

“The team at Survivor is not only knowledgeable and professional, but they are also personal in their service. They helped create a plan that was based on my specific needs. We were able to monitor progress and make tweaks and improvements over time.”  

When Fitness Becomes Family for the Fight

“Survivor Fitness was a Godsend!” Kit has shared. “Working out with my team was something I looked forward to each week. Aubrey and Blake supported me physically and emotionally!  They made me feel like family, pumped me up, made me feel better each time I worked out with them.”

As a proud grandfather himself, Kit always provides a paternal presence for everyone in the Survivor Fitness family. His hard work, dedication to the fight, and genuine care for others have contributed to the feeling that nearly every Survivor Fitness participant has after a workout, the feeling of leaving better than you arrived. 

Kit is not only an inspiration to everyone in our community, he’s part of our family. 

Interested in Being Part of the Survivor Fitness Community?

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

Participant Spotlight: Brenda Sherman

Every cancer survivor remembers the moment they first received their diagnosis. The days and months that follow can be a grueling journey. But what happens when treatment ends can often be just as challenging. Finding a community to help you navigate the new challenges of your journey towards thriving again can make all the difference.

That was Brenda Sherman’s story.

After Treatment, A New Chapter Begins

“What is it like after you are finished with treatment? There is no preparation. It is completely a physical, mental, and emotional journey. But I had no plans of checking out because of my diagnosis.” 

Brenda became part of our Survivor Fitness family after receiving treatment for a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. As a controlled type 2 diabetic with metabolic syndrome, she wanted to focus on her health after treatment. 

Like other cancer survivors, Brenda wasn’t able to exercise during radiation, but she tried to stay disciplined by eating what she could. She started Survivor Fitness hoping to get back into exercise.

Finding a Greater Strength in Community

As a Survivor Fitness regular, Brenda has helped cultivate the type of connection and community that helps many of our participants thrive in ways beyond their physical strength and health. 

“Part two of my journey, the aftermath I call it, began when the treatment ended. As a diabetic and cancer patient, it has not been easy. I may always have health struggles with arthritis and diabetes, but the mental and emotional well-being I gain from being part of the Survivor Fitness community is bar none better than just going to a gym.”

Brenda has benefitted from the power of community, and her passion for “being with” people in their fight against cancer has impacted our community in numerous ways. 

Brenda might describe Survivor Fitness as the “missing link” that has helped her recovery. But for others, Brenda has become an invaluable link in that chain that helps others climb their way back to a healthy and thriving life.

“I plan to stick with Survivor Fitness to keep me going on the right path for as long as they will have me.”

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

Participant Spotlight: Patti Kowarko

participant-spotlight-patti-kowarko

We love sharing the stories and experiences of the strong individuals who go through our program. Patti Kowarko was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and went through nearly 30 rounds of chemotherapy. Read a little about her journey and how she learned to persevere.

A Q & A with Patti Kowarko

Survivor Fitness: Tell us about your journey, diagnosis, and why you began the Survivor Fitness programs.

Patti Kowarko: I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast in May of 2020. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I had to complete 26 rounds of chemo, and I am now cancer-free as of August 2021. 

I joined Survivor Fitness because I wanted to regain my strength back that cancer and chemo took from me. It has made me stronger and I feel good about myself again. I am much happier now that I know I can continue getting healthier after learning so much from my trainer at Survivor Fitness

SF: Tell us about your relationship with Survivor Fitness and how you became a participant.

PK: I had a great relationship with my trainer, Stephanie. She was great and pushed me to where I needed to be. I heard about Survivor Fitness from another breast cancer survivor and reached out to Meg (Survivor Fitness Co-founder and Executive Director).

SF: How have you been able to regain your health and wellness during your time with Survivor Fitness?

PK: I’ve learned a great routine—how much physical fitness I need and what I need to nourish my body.

SF: How have you been able to use these programs during this part of your journey?

PK: I work out and eat better because of what I’ve learned through Survivor Fitness.

SF: What was the hardest part of this journey?

PK: Trying not to be sick from chemo.

SF: What would you tell someone else who might be on a similar journey and looking for support?

PK: Try out the great fitness program. Survivor Fitness will make you stronger and you will learn a lot about yourself.

SF: Do you have anything that stands out to you that you want to share from this journey?

PK: You have to have dedication.

Interested in Becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant?

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.

A Conversation with Aaron Grunke, Founder of Survivor Fitness

By age 23, Aaron Grunke knew what it took to survive cancer. And as co-founder of the Survivor Fitness Foundation, he knows what it takes to thrive again.

In 2004, Grunke was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer most commonly found among men in their early 20s. 

His illness meant having to withdraw from Auburn University just one semester short of his original graduation date. 

Two years, three surgeries, seven rounds of chemotherapy, and a diploma later, he was finally declared cancer-free. 

Before his diagnosis, Grunke was a standout high school basketball player who stayed active to keep in shape. When the treatments ended, he was left searching for the strength and endurance he had admittedly taken for granted.

“I didn’t truly know what cancer had taken away from me until I tried to exercise again on my own,” Grunke explained. “When you have cancer, all your energy goes into fighting cancer.”

When the dust settled, he was 30 pounds overweight and had lost significant muscle mass—a result of sitting in chemotherapy sessions for up six hours a day. 

His traumatic experience fighting cancer also lingered in less tangible ways.

“Mentally, I was beyond excited to be done with treatment,” said Grunke. “But I was shell-shocked. I felt alone and isolated with significant anxiety and depression, and no one had given me a constructive way to get rid of it.”

Several years later, Grunke met a personal trainer who took him back to the very basics of physical fitness to finally get back in shape.

“I started doing it his way and saw serious results,” said Grunke. “I got back to my pre-cancer weight. I got my energy back. And I found the mental clarity that really gave me my life back.”

That mental clarity came with an important lesson: that after treatment, cancer survivors need support that can’t be found within hospital walls.

Grunke didn’t have a medical background. What he did have was a compelling experience to share with those experiencing similar obstacles to their physical and emotional wellness.

“I decided that I could tell my story and let other cancer survivors know how they’ll feel after treatment and what they can do about it,” Grunke said.

In 2013, he created the Survivor Fitness Foundation with his wife, Meg, who also serves as executive director.

The program operates with a mission to empower cancer survivors and a hope to help people heal, physically and mentally, through personal fitness training and nutritional advice. 

For twelve weeks, participants meet one-on-one with a dedicated personal trainer in a private setting to build sustainable, long-term exercise habits. 

“There’s no better place to leave your emotions and your fears than a gym,” Grunke explained. “It’s an opportunity to encounter your limitations and find the strength to overcome them.”

Regular consultations with a registered dietitian also help participants recalibrate their diets.

Today, more than 250 people have graduated from the Survivor Fitness program to help recover what was lost, both physically and emotionally.

“We’re here to meet survivors where they are and help guide them through the survivorship journey,” Grunke said. “Facing cancer is tough enough. We don’t want people to feel alone, isolated, and confused about how to feel better after treatment ends.”

Like finally receiving an all-clear diagnosis, he says, the results awaiting their efforts are life-altering.

“It’s like seeing them get their lives back,” said Grunke. “They can handle their daily activities again. They’re not scared of checkups because of how good they feel.”

Above all, Survivor Fitness gives participants the support they need to rediscover lost hope.

“You’ll find a version of yourself that you thought was gone forever,” he remarked. “You’ll have the confidence to become a new you.”

Learn more about supporting our mission or becoming a participant at survivorfitness.org.

 

Participant Spotlight: John Craver

As if 2020 wasn’t tough enough for everyone, John Craver had an additional obstacle to overcome—soon before the pandemic began John was diagnosed with cancer. We are so proud of and thankful for all of our Survivor Fitness graduates for sharing their stories with us. Their testimonials help inspire others that hope, recovery, and new beginnings are possible beyond cancer. In this Q&A feature, learn more about how John worked to restore his physical and mental health.

A Q & A with John Craver

Survivor Fitness: Tell us a little about how and when you became a participant.

John Craver: Being diagnosed with cancer right before the pandemic made the strange year of 2020 even more of a challenge for me. I was very fortunate to be part of Survivor Fitness for post-cancer treatment.

SF: How have you been able to regain your health and wellness throughout your time with Survivor Fitness?

JC: I was partnered with Blake at Personal Best Fitness and was able to lose over 25 pounds while gaining strength and stamina. For me, the benefits of working out helped me mentally even more so than physically. I am very grateful to Blake, Personal Best, and Survivor Fitness for helping me feel good about myself and my body.

SF: In what ways does Survivor Fitness empower you to stay active and healthy?

JC: A cancer diagnosis makes you feel like your body is turning against you. To be able to regain control and feel strong and confident about your body again is such a great feeling. I hope others are able to have the same great experience that I did.

SF: What would you tell someone else who might be on a similar journey and is considering being a Survivor Fitness participant?

JC: I felt very lucky to be a part of Survivor Fitness. I had a good relationship with my trainer and lost weight. Overall, I had a great experience and would recommend the program for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being after cancer treatment.

Interested in Becoming a Participant?

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.