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.
