Partner Spotlight – Ellen Smartt

Professional portrait of Ellen Smartt

As Survivor Fitness continues to grow, one of the most exciting benefits is the ability to expand our network of partners beyond the Tennessee cities we’ve served for years. We’re thrilled to welcome Ellen Smartt, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and founder of At the Table Nutrition Consulting, as one of our newest additions!

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ellen brings a unique blend of clinical, science-based, and holistic training to the table. Her well-rounded approach perfectly complements Survivor Fitness’s mission to empower cancer survivors to reclaim their health and thrive after treatment. 

Finding a Connection and Making a Difference

Ellen’s journey to Survivor Fitness began at a food and nutrition conference where she connected with a fellow RDN who introduced her to our organization. The moment she learned about the mission, Ellen knew it was an opportunity to blend her professional expertise with her personal desire to empower others through the healing power of healthy nutrition. 

After a few months, Ellen has already discovered the profound impact this experience can have. As she shared, “Working with Survivor Fitness participants has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my professional career as a registered dietitian.”

What truly resonates with Ellen is the opportunity to connect with participants on a deeper level. Her approach prioritizes getting to know an individual’s stories and their challenges before diving into the specifics of nutrition. These initial calls are filled with kindness and care, setting the stage for a collaborative journey towards achieving their goals.

“Each meeting, I am blown away by the level of attention and care to the nutrition goals and ideas that we create,” Ellen remarked. “I truly enjoy every single session and look forward to the next conversation!”

The Power of Nutrition for Healing

One of the aspects that inspires Ellen most is the remarkable ability of our bodies to adapt and heal based on the food choices we make.

“What inspires me is the true power of nutrition for healing,” Ellen explained. “We feed our bodies tens of thousands of times over a lifetime. There is so much good we can do for our bodies with educated food choices.”

Ellen considers it a privilege to guide Survivor Fitness participants as they discover this power for themselves. She emphasizes the importance of setting sustainable and realistic goals that meet each individual where they are in their journey.

“The process of making changes with nutrition needs to be enjoyable for it to last,” Ellen shared. “So identifying foods and flavors you enjoy and creating healthy options with these choices can be a great place to start.”

Join the Supportive Survivor Fitness Community

Ellen’s warmth and encouragement shine through in everything she does. When asked what advice she would give to a cancer survivor considering joining Survivor Fitness, she brims with enthusiasm: “Make the jump! This team is so excited and anxiously awaiting to support you. We will meet you where you are at, no matter where you are at. There is always something new to be learned about your health, nutrition, and fitness journey and we are here to guide you!”

If you’re a personal trainer, fitness center, nutritionist, or registered dietitian interested in supporting cancer survivors after treatment, we encourage you to connect with our team and learn how you can join the Survivor Fitness network.

For cancer survivors looking to regain their strength after treatment, we invite you to explore our programs and submit an application today! Together, with the support of our incredible partners like Ellen, we can help you navigate your journey toward a healthier and happier future.

Partner Spotlight: Chadwick’s Fitness

Survivor Fitness was founded with a vision to aid cancer survivors in their transition after treatment by helping them regain their health and wellness through personal training and nutrition coaching. Today, we’ve been able to partner with hundreds of courageous cancer survivors across Tennessee. This possibility became a reality because of the incredible partnerships we’ve developed with fitness centers and personal trainers across the state. Chadwick’s Fitness in Cool Springs was one of our first partners to offer its facility and services in service of our mission. 

For the past six years, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with Abby Johnson. As General Manager, Abby is often the first contact point for participants. She works with participants to help connect them with one of Chadwick’s personal trainers and get them started with their 12-week training program. 

A Team of Specialists Who Care

As a world-class training facility, Chadwick’s provides each participant with a personal training program built with specific exercises for regaining health and strength after cancer treatment. As part of the initial onboarding process, their trainers work with each participant to conduct an initial mobility and stability assessment. This provides a foundation and framework that will help the participant focus on their greatest needs and regain their strength. 

“Cancer treatment and recovery take such a toll on a person’s body,” Abby explained. “One of the first things we want to do is help participants ensure their spine is stabilized, activate muscles that haven’t been used in a while, and regain core strength by focusing on certain muscle patterns. These are really important foundations that they can use to build upon in the future.” 

Each Chadwick’s trainer works with participants by meeting them where they are and building a custom plan to help them move forward. Because several trainers are certified in providing fitness training for cancer survivors, they often share insights and best practices amongst their team to create the best plan for each participant. It’s obvious that the expertise and intentionality they put into their work make a difference. 

“It’s so inspiring when a participant starts the program, and they’re not sure if they can do it… only to see them with tears of gratitude in their eyes two to three weeks later,” Abby said. “That transition from being so afraid and physically weak to confident and committed is a beautiful thing to see.” 

The (Inspirational) Feeling is Mutual

This experience—seeing transformation happen for people who are so committed to regaining their wellness—is one of the most mutually beneficial aspects of the program. While Survivor Fitness participants often describe it as a “life-changing” experience, Chadwick’s trainers are also deeply affected by the relationship.  

“One of my favorite parts about partnering with Survivor Fitness is when one of our staff members comes and tells the story from their point of view,” Abby described. “It can be very emotional and inspiring for our trainers to work with participants. Often our lives are just as impacted by their stories as their lives are impacted by our training.” 

A Shared Commitment To Impacting More Lives

One of the most meaningful aspects of our partnership with Chadwick’s is that supporting cancer survivors is a value for their entire team. Each trainer at Chadwick’s has personally worked with at least one Survivor Fitness participant. To date, the team at Chadwick’s has helped more than 75 participants in the Nashville area regain their strength and vitality through one-on-one personal training. 

Their entire team encourages and cares for each Survivor Fitness participant on their recovery journey. 

“If there’s one thing I would say to someone who is considering becoming a participant, I would say do not hesitate to make a phone call,” Abby noted. “Even if you think, ‘I didn’t have that hard of a cancer battle,’ you should look into it. If you’re someone who battled cancer, this is specifically for you.” 

Abby’s commitment to supporting cancer patients extends beyond her work as General Manager at Chadwick’s. She also serves on the advisory board for the Survivor Fitness Foundation. In this role, Abby creates connections with other fitness centers across Tennessee. As Survivor Fitness looks for strategic and scalable ways to support even more cancer survivors, Abby’s experience provides valuable insights to help build relationships with fitness centers and trainers.  

“Survivor Fitness has an amazing mission,” said Abby. “I love that we’re able to bring personal training to people who would not otherwise consider it.” 

Partner Spotlight: Nourished Routes

Anyone connected to Survivor Fitness quickly realizes that much of the magic of the experience stems from two factors: the incredible passion of our participants and the power of our community. Since launching Survivor Fitness, we’ve had the benefit of working with board members and health partners (trainers and dietitians) who share a deep devotion to supporting cancer survivors on their recovery journey.  

Allison Tallman is one of those partners whose passion, care, and expertise have had a life-altering effect on Survivor Fitness participants. Allison is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and the founder of Nourished Routes. After connecting with Executive Director Meg Grunke in 2019, Allison signed on to become a nutrition partner for Survivor Fitness. To date, she’s served more than 100 Survivor Fitness participants. 

Allison’s connection to Survivor Fitness began before she became a partner. As an RDN, Allison saw just how important nutrition is as she walked alongside patients during their battle with cancer—personally and professionally.

“My grandfather was diagnosed with leukemia, and my uncle had sinus cancer,” Allison explained. “In both situations, I saw how much the treatment impacted their life—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” 

As a practitioner, Allison uses her knowledge and experience to help participants with nutritional changes. Before moving to Nashville, Allison was employed at a medical clinic in Chicago where she worked primarily with cancer patients going through chemo and radiation therapy. Her role provided her with direct insight into the connection between treatment, nutrition, and her patients’ overall well-being. 

These experiences sparked a passion that led her to partner with Survivor Fitness to help an entire community of cancer survivors. 

“There are so many challenges that a person experiences going through chemo or radiation,” Allison expressed. “Seeing so many of my family members experience those changes inspired me to use my professional training  to help people who are navigating the cancer journey and equip them with resources to regain health in all areas of life.”

As a Survivor Fitness nutrition partner, Allison provides the same level of commitment and personal care to participants that she would give to a family member. In every introductory session, Allison takes time to listen to the individual, learn about their journey with cancer, discuss the unique nutritional challenges they’ve experienced, and collaborate on the health goals they want to achieve. 

“Every cancer journey, and how it’s impacted a person’s diet, is different. I really want to understand what a person has been through so I can put myself in their shoes and help them move forward. Because each person’s cancer journey is so unique, it’s important to tailor their recovery plan, too.”

After learning more about them, Allison works with participants to design a personalized nutrition plan that can easily be incorporated into their current lifestyle. 

For example, one of the first things Allison does is make sure participants eat enough food and get enough protein in their diet. Adding in the right amount of protein can help counteract the muscle loss that can be a result of cancer treatment.  

After the initial meeting, Allison continued to provide guidance and accountability as participants continued through the program. Every participant receives a recipe book along with advice to maximize their nutrition plan after cancer. 

When it comes to nutritional best practices, Allison typically encourages participants to set one or two goals. She also recommends a Mediterranean-style diet that includes fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. 

“It’s better to make small changes one at a time rather than a lot of big changes all at once. This helps the changes you make actually stick. For example, rather than setting a goal to make a meal plan seven days a week, start with just one day. Hopefully, that one day spills over into two days and then more.” 

Allison’s personal approach and encouraging demeanor are two characteristics that participants appreciate most. These are attributes that she would ascribe to the entire Survivor Fitness community.

We’re grateful for the role Allison plays in the Survivor Fitness community to provide advice and support for participants during their life-changing experiences.  

Allison is a registered dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Cornell University and a master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University. Her seamless adaptability has allowed her to work with a range of clients—from patients in medical clinics to professional athletes.  Learn more about her work at Nourished Routes.