Category: Spotlights

After cancer treatment ends, many survivors find themselves caught between the past and the future. There is a strong pull to feel normal again, to move their bodies, to keep up with their families, and to reclaim routines that once felt simple. At the same time, there is fear and fatigue. Fear of not knowing where to begin and a feeling of uncertainty while navigating lingering side effects and the lasting impact of treatment on their bodies.

For Beth Lehman, a young mother navigating life after breast cancer, that tension was very real. She wanted to feel strong again and to feel a sense of control over one part of her recovery. Through Survivor Fitness, she found a place to begin.

Facing Fatigue, Fear, and the Unknown

Beth received her breast cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2023. What followed was more than a year of intensive treatment and recovery.

“After completing multiple surgeries, chemo, antibody infusions, and radiation, moving into remission came with its own challenges,” Beth said. “Fatigue and low muscle tone were at the top of the list.”

As a working mother, the physical toll was heavy. Feeling tired and weak did more than affect her body. It affected her confidence. One of the most difficult aspects of cancer was the mental weight she felt.

“The hardest part of my experience with cancer was the mental aspect,” she shared. “Not knowing or seeing what was happening in my body has been very difficult.”

Finding a New Beginning

When treatment ended, Beth knew she needed help moving forward. She wanted to begin exercising again, but starting alone felt overwhelming.

“I wanted to start working out, but felt overwhelmed about starting from scratch on my own at a gym,” she said.

Her oncology team pointed her toward Survivor Fitness as a way to extend the personalized care she had received during treatment. Once she applied to the program, the process felt manageable.

“I got to pick a location and time convenient to my schedule and was matched with a personal trainer,” Beth said. “She is amazing.”

For Beth, one of the greatest gifts of the program was simply having a starting point.

“Survivor Fitness gave me a place to start and to move again. To have help getting scheduled, a place, a person, a starting date—it just all helped provide momentum that I could not generate myself after all of the treatments.”

Rebuilding Strength and Regaining Belief

Over the course of twelve weeks, Beth began rebuilding her strength with guidance and encouragement.

“My trainer was able to help me tone and strengthen during our sessions together,” Beth shared. “It honestly was such a morale boost to be able to take care of my body in a way that left me feeling stronger, and not weaker like all the chemo did.”

More importantly, Survivor Fitness gave Beth confidence. Her trainer was able to walk through specific routines and different ways to work out to hit all muscle groups. The knowledge she gained was just as great as the change in muscle tone that she saw.

“After completing twelve weeks with my personal trainer, I now feel more confident in understanding what my body needs to maintain its strength,” she said. “I feel better equipped to continue working out to maintain what my trainer helped me achieve.”

Choosing What She Can Control

As she looks ahead, Beth is honest about what she can and cannot control.

“I know I cannot control if my cancer returns,” she said. “But I can take care of my body in a way that supports overall health.”

At a recent oncology follow-up, her doctor reinforced that message. Staying active, caring for her body, and protecting both her physical and mental health now play a key role in maintaining remission.

Beth now encourages other survivors to seek support.

“I have been telling folks,” she shared. “I have encouraged several survivors to utilize this program to help them feel empowered and assisted in their pursuit of health.”

Her journey is a reminder that healing does not happen alone.

“We all need help in this life,” Beth said. “Support systems like this one are in place because they really do matter and make a difference.”

For Beth, Survivor Fitness offered more than a workout plan. It offered a way to rebuild strength one step at a time.

If you’re a cancer survivor or know someone who is, we invite you to learn more about our programs. Like Beth, take the first step and apply today. 

Cancer has a way of shifting the ground under your feet. One week, you think you’re heading in a certain direction, and the next week, everything changes. A treatment works, then suddenly it doesn’t. A plan feels clear, then it has to be rewritten. Many survivors describe it as living with “moving goalposts.” It’s confusing and exhausting. At times, it can feel like everything is happening faster than you can process it.

For many years, this was Elizabeth Lindsay’s reality. But through Survivor Fitness, she found something she hadn’t felt in a long time: steadiness and a sense of control returning to her life. 

Facing a Fast-Moving Diagnosis

Elizabeth’s cancer journey began in July 2023 during what she expected to be a routine mammogram. When something looked unclear, she was called back for an ultrasound and then a biopsy. Within three weeks, she had walked in and out of the same imaging center multiple times, and deep down she sensed what was coming.

When her doctor’s office called and asked her to come in, she already knew. The confirmation came that afternoon: invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1A, triple positive.

Everything moved quickly after that. At her first oncology appointment, Elizabeth’s doctor took the time to explain everything — from her diagnosis and treatment plan to recurrence rates and things to consider around vitamins, nutrition, and exercise.

“My mind was absolutely spinning, and I almost missed her discussing losing my hair,” she recalled.

The long months that followed were filled with unexpected changes, drug reactions, schedule shifts, and physical challenges she never anticipated. She often describes that time with a phrase many survivors will recognize: “the goalposts kept moving.”

But through it all, she made it to each milestone: chemotherapy, lumpectomy, radiation, and immunotherapy were all completed by Christmas Eve the next year. Soon after treatment concluded, Elizabeth stepped into the next chapter of her healing.

Finding Survivor Fitness

During treatment, Elizabeth worked closely with an oncology counselor and an integrative oncology nurse practitioner who helped her manage the emotional and physical stress of cancer care. Her healthcare team suggested she look into Survivor Fitness as she neared the end of her immunotherapy. 

She did. And during her first call with Survivor Fitness staff, she mentioned—almost offhand—her partner MJ’s own history with kidney cancer. Immediately, she was asked something she didn’t expect:

“Would he like to do the program as well?” The answer was an easy yes.

In January 2025, just before her birthday, both Elizabeth and MJ began their 12-week programs. They were paired with trainers at Chadwick’s Fitness in Franklin and committed to two sessions a week. They had different trainers, different goals, and different paths for recovering from cancer, but they got to do it side by side.

Rebuilding Strength, Confidence, and Balance

Within a few weeks, Elizabeth began regaining muscle strength she’d lost during treatment, and she then surpassed her pre-cancer fitness levels. She became stronger, more flexible, and more confident in her body’s ability to move again. She lost body fat, built muscle, and felt herself returning—not just physically, but emotionally.

“The personal training has been outstanding,” she shared. “I’m more fit than I have been in too long to name.”

Elizabeth also participated in the nutrition coaching program, which added another layer of support. She learned how to fuel herself before and after workouts, found new sources of important nutrients, and gained clarity from a fresh set of eyes reviewing her lab work. 

“The nutrition coaching paired well with the training to help me with foods to eat before and after sessions,” she shared. 

Both her trainer and nutritionist helped her reshape her mindset to pursue progress, not perfection or unrealistic expectations.

“If you focus on progress, you get to keep stepping forward,” she said. “Even if you occasionally take a step back.”

Having people walk alongside Elizabeth on every step of her recovery journey made a world-changing difference. She felt seen, understood, and supported—not judged.

“Not all of my friends or family knew how to accept or support me,” she shared. “I appreciated my nutritionist celebrating my wins. Paige, my personal trainer, is my strongest cheerleader.”

Paying It Forward and Supporting Others

As strong as she feels today, Elizabeth hasn’t forgotten what those early days felt like. Her hope is to use her experience to help others navigate that same uncertainty. She’s even started writing what she jokingly calls her “Cancer 101 Procedural Manual.” Until that’s published, she shared a few pieces of encouragement for anyone beginning this journey:

• The goalposts will move. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. It’s okay.
• Your relationships may shift. Some friends will pull closer. Others may step back. It’s okay.
• Use every resource available—financial, physical, emotional.
• And finally, “You are not fighting cancer. You are the battleground for the fight. The doctor is the warrior. The drugs are the weapon.”

Elizabeth’s strength is quiet but powerful, and her story reminds us that healing is not a straight line. It twists and turns. It changes direction. But it also leads to new chapters filled with hope, resilience, and growth.

For Elizabeth, Survivor Fitness became the bridge between what she had endured and the stronger, steadier version of herself she is today.

Whether you’re a cancer survivor ready to take your next step or someone looking to support this mission, we invite you to learn more about our programs or get involved today. 

One of the most inspiring parts of our work at Survivor Fitness is watching our participants face their unique challenges and discover a level of resilience they didn’t know they had. That’s the story of Survivor Fitness participant Kaity McMahon, whose journey proves that even when someone encounters significant setbacks, it’s possible to come out stronger on the other side.  

Kaity was diagnosed in July 2024, when she found a small lump in her right breast. Tests that followed led to a diagnosis of stage 2A estrogen- and progesterone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. By the time the full picture emerged, Kaity was faced with a frightening reality. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy in September and reconstruction in January, but the physical recovery was harder than she anticipated.

“I didn’t feel like myself,” Kaity shared. “I felt limited by my mobility, like a burden. I couldn’t do things at the same level as before.”

The emotional weight of recovery was just as heavy. Her loss of mobility was compounded by a growing lack of confidence, leaving her feeling dependent and frustrated.

Finding a Coach and a Community

At her doctor’s recommendation, Kaity applied for Survivor Fitness and started the program in May 2025. She was paired with trainer Marissa at 360 Fitness, a connection that quickly turned her recovery around. Kaity realized that getting back into the gym would provide a more holistic approach to her recovery. 

“Those first few sessions were tough. I realized just how weak I actually was—how much cancer had taken from me.”

The realization was hard, but she didn’t have to face it alone. Together, they developed a motto that kept her grounded: “Even baddies get saddies.” Their playful phrase served as a simple reminder that tough moments are part of the journey, but they don’t define it.

With Marissa’s personalized guidance, Kaity began to find both emotional and physical strength.

“Survivor Fitness couldn’t have come at a better time for me,” she said. “My trainer Marissa not only helped me regain physical strength that I thought was lost to me—she also helped me through the emotional struggles I was still facing. She was a champion, a friend, and the best coach I could have possibly asked for.”

Kaity also took part in the nutrition program, connecting with a registered dietitian who helped her create a healthier routine and identify simple ways to add beneficial nutrients back into her life.

When she began the program, Kaity had one main objective: to regain confidence.

“I gained that and so much more,” she said. “I’m physically stronger than I have been in years, even before my diagnosis.”

The Ultimate Test: Coming Back Stronger

For Kaity, the benefits of the Survivor Fitness program went beyond the day-to-day. The work she put in directly prepared her for the future. When she needed a second follow-up reconstruction surgery in October 2025, she was stunned by how well her body handled the process.

“I’ve been amazed at how much better I tolerated the surgery and how much quicker I’m recovering this time. I attribute that fully to the work I’ve been doing in the gym—work that never would have begun if it weren’t for Survivor Fitness.”

Her experience has given her a new, compassionate, and resilient outlook on life. She often reflects on a simple, surprising truth: “It took getting cancer to get me to a place where I’m now the healthiest I’ve been since I was a teenager.”

She’s also learned that strength isn’t about avoiding struggle. “Even when the worst thing you can imagine happens, you can still get back up and come back stronger if you commit to the process and give yourself grace in the moments of weakness.”

Survivor Fitness: Find Support for the Next Step in Your Journey

Today, Kaity is recovering from her most recent surgery, but she is already eager to return to the gym and continue training with her trusted team. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when determination meets the right support and how the hardest moments can be a turning point toward a stronger future.

If you’re a cancer survivor or know someone who is, we invite you to learn more about our programs. Like Kaity, take the first step and apply today. 

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.

Every cancer survivor navigates a unique journey to reclaim their health and well-being after treatment. While the experience is undoubtedly challenging, many find that the process of recovery can be a catalyst to emerge stronger and more resilient than they were before their diagnosis.

Marva Steed’s journey through diagnosis and recovery is a testament to extraordinary resilience. Her battle for health didn’t begin with cancer; it started two years prior with a life-threatening encounter with a novel virus that shattered her physical foundation.

The Double Battle: Fighting COVID Recovery and Cancer Complications

In March 2020, Marva became one of the first people in America to be diagnosed with COVID-19. “I spent 13 days on a ventilator, which caused significant muscle atrophy,” she recalled. Just as she was rebuilding her strength, her health was dealt another blow. In May of 2022, she received a breast cancer diagnosis. 

Marva’s cancer journey required a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, the path to recovery was complicated by serious setbacks. During the surgery, she contracted pseudomonas, a severe infection that necessitated an emergency surgery just two weeks later, requiring the complete removal and redoing of the reconstruction.

“Obviously, the recovery was longer than expected and unfortunately brought more muscle atrophy,” Marva explains. 

After battling COVID-induced weakness, major surgery, and all the complications that followed, Marva found herself physically depleted. The years of effort to get back on her feet had been erased, leaving her discouraged and out of shape.

Finding the Courage to Start with Survivor Fitness

Once she had physically recovered from the mastectomy surgeries, Marva’s plastic surgeon gave her a flyer for Survivor Fitness and strongly suggested she look into the program to regain strength. The idea was planted, but the action took time.“It took a little while to get the courage to make the contact,” Marva admits. “I was initially embarrassed to join as I was so out of shape.”

It’s a common feeling among survivors—the body that once endured so much trauma now feels unfamiliar and weak. But Marva found the support she needed to push past the hesitation. 

In January 2025, she took the necessary leap, connecting with Survivor Fitness and beginning her strength training journey with her coach, Paige Rugaard, at Chadwick’s Fitness in Franklin, TN. Paige was incredibly encouraging, creating a safe and motivating environment that Marva needed.

Marva was amazed at her progress, even after a few short weeks. Not only has she regained her functional strength, but the program has instilled a deeper sense of self-worth. “It’s also given me a sense of pride and excitement that I did something for myself that will help improve my chances of remaining cancer-free.”

The result is a renewed and robust outlook on life. “I’m proud to say, I am stronger now and more motivated to stay active than ever before.” 

Marva credits Survivor Fitness for giving her the push she needed: “I owe so much to Survivor Fitness for giving me the opportunity, as I don’t believe I would have ever taken the necessary steps to do it on my own.”

The Importance of the First Step

Having fought back twice from severe physical setbacks, Marva offers simple but profound advice to other cancer survivors who may be facing their own post-treatment battles. She understands that the weight of weakness, isolation, and embarrassment can be paralyzing.

“Finding motivation and humbling myself to take the first step and make the connection with Survivor Fitness was definitely the hardest part of the journey.”

That first step, she says, is the hardest. But the benefits far outweigh the fear. Her message is clear: “Put all the fear aside and just do it. You’ll be so glad you did.”

The measurable success Marva achieved through her partnership with Paige solidified the program’s value in her eyes. “I don’t believe I would have ever regained my strength without the program. I’m stronger now than I have been in many years.”

The fact that this transformative recovery is offered at no cost to the survivor is, as Marva puts it, “truly amazing.” Marva completed her initial program in April 2025. Determined to maintain her hard-won progress, she decided to purchase more sessions to continue her strength training with the team she trusts.

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

Marva Steed didn’t just survive two major health crises; she emerged stronger than she’s been in years. By finding the courage to take the first step, she turned her recovery from a daunting chore into a source of pride and a commitment to a healthier, stronger future.

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor ready to reclaim health and strength, Survivor Fitness offers personalized fitness, nutritional, and mental health programs to support you.

Learn more about how to start your personalized recovery program today!

The feeling of a life-altering diagnosis can often be compounded by its timing. For Corinne Davis, a routine mammogram in June 2024 revealed hormone-positive HER2-negative breast cancer, arriving just four days after celebrating her son’s fifth birthday and two months after her 41st birthday. As she describes it, “It could not have happened at a worse time.”

Corinne, who self-identifies as an athlete at her core, found her life abruptly rerouted. After a lumpectomy in August that showed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, she faced a brutal regimen of eight rounds of chemotherapy followed by 21 rounds of radiation that stretched from October 2024 to March 2025. While she finished chemo and radiation with strength and grit, the emotional and physical toll of treatment lingered long afterward.

The Unseen Damage: Starting Over After Treatment

For cancer survivors, the moment treatment ends is rarely the moment healing begins. For Corinne, the consequences were significant.

“The cancer treatment drastically affected my mental, emotional, and physical well-being,” she says.

After finishing treatment, Corinne found herself struggling with basic, functional movements. She was in desperate need of a structured program that could bridge the gap between physical therapy and a full return to her active life. The fear of losing consistency and momentum led her to search for help.“I was fearful that I would not be able to remain consistent with my fitness alone. I needed help, and Survivor Fitness showed up right on time,” she recalls.

A Partnership in Recovery: Finding Herself Again 

The Survivor Fitness program managers helped Corinne connect with a dedicated team at 360 Fitness, where trainer Marissa guided her through every movement and exercise.“She pushed me when I needed it and provided great feedback on how to perform the movements that were more difficult for me to understand,” Corinne explains. The personalized attention and knowledgeable training environment allowed her to redefine herself.

“Being an athlete has always been who I am at my core. The Survivor Fitness program and 360 Fitness have made me feel like I can be athletic again. Breast cancer took so much from me, but this program did not let it take my strength, endurance, or mobility.”

For Corinne, this journey was about much more than just lifting weights; it was an act of reclamation.

“It was important for me to reclaim my health. I wanted to see the healed version of myself. An inactive Corinne is not an authentic Corinne. I wanted to look in the mirror to see an accurate representation of who I truly am.”

Corinne’s story shows the powerful things that happen when the medical side of care and the wellness side of recovery join forces. When doctors and wellness programs like ours work together,  survivors are supported in every part of the healing process, during treatment and beyond.

Connection and Community: Continuing the Journey with a New Perspective

Corinne’s fight continues. Because her cancer was hormone-positive, she faces a long-term treatment plan: ten years of ovarian suppression injections, aromatase inhibitors, and CDK4/6 inhibitors. These medications, though life-saving, can cause debilitating side effects. But with the structure and support of Survivor Fitness, Corinne has found a way to combat these challenges head-on. 

“The post-cancer medications I take to prevent recurrence are brutal on my body, causing weight gain, bone loss, fatigue, and joint pain. Survivor Fitness has helped me take back what cancer stole from me.”

Her experience has shifted her perspective on life, moving her toward a philosophy of connection and community. She recognizes the profound isolation she felt during and after treatment.“Survivor Fitness gave me a reliable and committed fitness community. It makes a huge difference knowing I have a community of trainers that work with me to help me achieve my goals.” 

Equally important has been her family.

“I am forever grateful for my family and friends who supported me and dropped everything in their lives to show up for me. My husband continues to show up and do what is needed—he is my rock. My son has handled everything so well despite how much it rocked his world!”

Ready to Rebuild?

Corinne Davis’s journey illustrates how post-treatment life doesn’t have to be a return to life with limitations—it can be a reclamation of strength, confidence, and joy.

Her story also underscores the value of integrated survivorship—making sure medical treatment and wellness programs connect to help individuals recover and heal holistically. 

Thanks to the generous support of our partners  at Williamson Health, we can make the Survivor Fitness program available to more people who need it. This partnership allows survivors like Corinne to continue their healing with the strength and community they deserve.

If you or a loved one is a cancer survivor struggling to regain strength, mobility, and confidence after treatment, Survivor Fitness can help you write your own comeback story.

Take the first step toward reclaiming your authentic self. Learn more about our Survivor Fitness programs or apply today!

For most people, cancer comes without warning. One day you’re managing life as usual, and the next you’re facing appointments, treatment decisions, and an uncertain future. And even when treatment ends, you’re faced with the new challenge of deciding how to move forward and reclaim your life. 

For Survivor Fitness participant David Staton, that decision came with a clear motto: Choose life.

David faced cancer head-on with grit and determination. But he’ll be the first to tell you that the journey isn’t easy. From treatment side effects to mental battles and the weight cancer places on loved ones, David faced many significant challenges and difficult decisions. 

Choosing to participate in Survivor Fitness’ personal fitness program was one of the “easy choices” that helped him regain not only his strength but his confidence.

Facing an Unexpected Diagnosis

“I was the guy who was always healthy,” David shared. “Rarely went to the doctor.”

In 2020, David started working out regularly after a little encouragement from his daughter. That small shift toward a more active lifestyle would lay a foundation he didn’t realize he would need.

“In 2022, after experiencing symptoms, I was diagnosed with advanced, aggressive cancer,” he said. “Being in the gym leading up to that prepared my body for the fight ahead.”

But nothing truly prepares you for the toll that cancer treatment takes both physically and mentally. 

“When you find yourself weak, unable to do what you’ve always done, it can really affect your mental state,” he said. “And wondering if the cancer will return is always on your mind.”

Finding Strength Again with Survivor Fitness

After finishing treatment, David knew he didn’t want to slip back into survival mode. He wanted to live. 

“I was not ready to roll over and give up,” he said. “Survivor Fitness showed me that you can get your life back.”

David’s connection to Survivor Fitness came through his daughter, who was friends with Survivor Fitness Trainer Carrie Loughlin at A|Train Fitness in Nashville. When Carrie learned about David’s diagnosis, she assured his daughter that Survivor Fitness could help. 

“I’m thankful for my introduction to Survivor Fitness  every day,” he said.

The experience made a significant impact from the very beginning.

“Carrie knows how chemo affects your body, and she knows the steps to take to begin  working out consistently again,” David explained. “She showed me that I can do more than I think. Getting over that mental obstacle is so important.”

Throughout his time with Survivor Fitness, David has built a new kind of discipline.

 “I do not view fitness as an option or a hobby,” he said. “Fitness is the gateway to life and health. I don’t work out because I feel like it, I work out because I want to live.”

“I incorporate what I’ve learned into every workout,” David shared. “Survivor Fitness has given me tools I use every day.”

The Bigger Picture

While David’s personal growth has been powerful, he’s also mindful of the impact his cancer diagnosis had on his family—especially his wife.

“It not only takes a toll on you, it affects everyone in your life,” he said. “Watching my wife completely shift from normal life to being my caregiver has been hard. She deserves the world after all she has done.”

Today, David shares his story with others, encouraging fellow survivors to take their next steps toward recovery and healing. 

“I have told so many people who have similar stories about Survivor Fitness,” he said. “Recent clinical studies show how important exercise is in the fight against cancer. You can’t just depend on medicine alone. There are things you can do that will make a difference.”

Get Involved with the Survivor Fitness Community

David’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery is more than just surviving; it’s about making intentional choices to reclaim your strength and your life. At Survivor Fitness, we’re honored to walk alongside participants like David, who are choosing life each day.

Whether you’re a cancer survivor ready to take your next step or someone looking to support this mission, we invite you to learn more about our programs or get involved today.