Participant Spotlight: Deborah Hill

The day you’re diagnosed is a day most cancer survivors never forget. In some ways, it’s as if time stops for just a second before speeding up very quickly as treatment begins. That is exactly how Survivor Fitness participant Deborah Hill described the experience for her and her family.

Finding Out About Her Diagnosis

“February 14th, 2020 is a day I’ll never forget,” Deborah explained. “I was told that I had breast cancer. The word cancer was all I heard. I walked to my car and sat there thinking, ‘What just happened?’” 

That moment was the beginning of a nine-month battle for Deborah and her family. Deborah had been married for 40 years and had three children, two grandchildren, and another one on the way at the time of her diagnosis. Her family proved to be her biggest source of inspiration during her treatment and recovery.

“I had so much to live for, so I was giving it my all!” 

Deborah’s treatment plan included an intense combination of approaches. She began four months of chemotherapy after her diagnosis and then had surgery a month later. A few months after her surgery, Deborah began radiation. Like most cancer patients, Deborah faced a lot of new physical challenges during treatment—fatigue, muscle loss, joint pain—along with the fear and uncertainty that each day holds.  

“I was exhausted, but I never gave up,” she said. “I kept my faith and had family and friends that fought this with me. They were my biggest cheerleaders to push through.”

After nine months of fighting the pain, fatigue, and emotional rollercoaster, Deborah finally finished her treatment plan.

Encouragement and Support at the Right Time

After radiation, Deborah was put on a hormone blocker to reduce the risk of recurrence. She wanted to start exercising and doing activities that would help her return to her normal routine. This proved to be more challenging than she thought.

“I thought things would just go back to normal after a few weeks. I was so wrong on that,” Deborah recalls. “After a year of trying to fight, being so fatigued and just mentally exhausted, I realized I needed help getting back on my feet.” 

That’s when Deborah started with Survivor Fitness. While she was initially hesitant, she realized that working with someone would be more beneficial than trying to do it herself.

“I realized I needed help—not only for what I needed to do but what I can do,” she said. “I was scared that I would do something wrong, and I needed a person to say, ‘It’s OK, you can do this!’”

Through the program, she quickly experienced how a personal recovery plan could help her regain her strength physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

She worked alongside her Survivor Fitness trainers Sam, Spencer, and Matt to find encouragement, even on days when she didn’t feel great. Their support made a tremendous difference. They listened to her needs each week and continued to push her to do her best. Through their encouragement, Deborah realized that she could and will get better every week.

“The trainers have helped me with getting my confidence back,” Deborah said. “They are also great listeners. If I have a really emotional day, they take the time to listen as we work out.”

Healing on Every Level

Deborah’s commitment to her recovery has made a tremendous difference in her experience of life after cancer. She believes that Survivor Fitness has been a place of healing for her—physically, emotionally, and mentally. She credits the program and her trainers for helping her get to where she is today on her health and fitness journey. 

“Survivor Fitness has been life-changing during my recovery. It has been a great healing place for me.”

We are extremely grateful to Deborah for her participation at Survivor Fitness. To learn more about becoming a Survivor Fitness participant, connect with us today.

Celebrating Brooke Hartman: The 2022 Knoxville Survivor Soirée Honoree

For the past four years, the Survivor Fitness Foundation has hosted The Survivor Soirée to honor participants and raise money to support cancer survivors who are unable to afford the help they need to regain their health and quality of life. Inevitably, one of the most memorable and moving moments is when we get to recognize our annual Survivor Fitness Honorees. This year, we had the opportunity to celebrate Brooke Hartman as one of our Knoxville-area honorees.

Here is a powerful glimpse into Brooke’s battle with cancer and her journey toward health.

“I Had No Idea How Our World Would Be Turned Upside Down…”

Brooke was diagnosed in April 2020 with a form of breast cancer known as invasive ductile carcinoma. Reflecting on her experience, Brooke will never forget the day the surgeon also informed her that the diagnosis was triple negative. Not only is it one of the worst types of tumors, but it also is a more aggressive form of cancer that does not have a targeted treatment plan.  

But navigating treatment was only part of the challenge that made cancer difficult. Brooke is also a wife and mother.

“I realized the lump I discovered was not a good thing, but I had no idea how our world was going to be turned upside down,” Brooke explained. “There isn’t a specific way to target the triple negative form of cancer, so you kind of have to throw the kitchen sink at it.”

Brooke immediately began an aggressive treatment plan that included IV chemotherapy infusions, a double mastectomy, 30 radiation treatments, 12 months of immunotherapy, and six months of chemotherapy medication. 

Cancer, along with the treatment, took a tremendous toll on her body. Six months into treatment, Brooke began trying simple exercises to get back to normal. That’s when a sobering reality set in.  

“I remember trying to do a push-up, and I realized I couldn’t do it,” Brooke said. “It was like everything came crashing down at that moment, and I realized what cancer treatment had done. I can’t explain the hope I got when I learned that I could be part of a program that could help me rebuild.” 

“Treatment is Over… But Cancer is Not.” 

After her long, difficult treatment regimen was completed, Brooke began adjusting to life after treatment, which can be an extremely difficult experience for cancer survivors.

“There’s a reality that when treatment is over… cancer is not,” Brooke said. “Treatment is complete, but it’s sort of like hearing, ‘Congratulations! That part is over. Here’s what you have left.’” 

In July of 2021, Brooke joined Survivor Fitness and began working with Survivor Fitness trainer Carissa Mahoney. Together, they developed an intentional training plan based on the treatment Brooke received and the health goals she wanted to achieve. 

Four months later, Brooke achieved something she never thought possible after treatment: hiking to the top of Mount LeConte. While the hike was difficult, Brooke was able to ground herself in the reality of where she was and how far she’d come. 

“At one point on the hike…I just stood there and cried,“ Brooke said. “I never knew if I was ever going to be able to do something like this. I got to summit LeConte, and I will always be grateful for that, but I got so much more.” 

Brooke attributes her ability to achieve something like hiking Mt. LeConte to the physical, mental, and emotional she receives through Survivor Fitness. The training and encouragement have made a tremendous impact on her ability to engage with life in ways she couldn’t envision after treatment.

“I cannot imagine post-treatment without Survivor Fitness,” Brooke stated. “I believe that folks need to know that cancer isn’t the end of the story. The story continues. We get to live that out.”

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

Brooke’s passion for life and her family inspire us all in the Survivor Fitness community. It’s such an honor to walk with her during this phase of her journey. If Brooke’s story resonates with you, you can also check out the experience of other Survivor Fitness participants here on our blog.

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, connect with us today to learn more about becoming a Survivor Fitness Participant. You can also donate to the Survivor Fitness Foundation to provide scholarships to those in need of support.

Celebrating Maheen: The 2022 Nashville Survivor Soirée Honoree

Last month, we hosted our third annual Survivor Soirée in Nashville, TN. This was a special opportunity to recognize people who are making an impact in the Survivor Fitness community and also raise support for cancer survivors to continue their journey of healing through our mission. One of our favorite highlights from the event is getting to honor a Survivor Fitness participant who embodies the values of our community.  

This year’s honoree was Maheen. Here’s a brief look at her story and why we were honored to recognize her at this year’s event. 

An Unexpected, Life-Altering Diagnosis

Maheen is a driven and compassionate woman who was just about to start her career in medicine when she received news that would change her life. After finishing her post-doctoral residency training program, Maheen was ready to start her career when she recognized a lump along her chest wall one morning. She immediately knew something was wrong. 

“I remember sitting on my bedroom floor and crying as we received the phone call,” Maheen said. “It was like everything went black at that moment, and I didn’t understand what I was being told.”

Maheen was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of breast cancer. This required a comprehensive and difficult approach to treatment. 

“I was very scared and nervous. Some studies show that only 35-40% of people with this diagnosis get a good response from treatment. I didn’t know what was going to happen or where I would go,” she explained. 

Maheen’s cancer journey included numerous ups, downs, and unexpected turns. A few weeks after her double mastectomy, Maheen learned that she had a pulmonary embolism. A couple of months after starting treatment for that, doctors found a large mass in her heart  This led to unexpected open-heart surgery. 

“I just remember there being a lot of hopeless days and nights, not knowing what was next,” she recalled.   

“Regaining Control and Feeling Like Myself Again”

After completing treatment, Maheen immediately noticed a change in her body. Because of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, and multiple surgeries, Maheen lost a significant amount of physical strength.

“I wasn’t able to work or even do simple day-to-day tasks that were easy before my diagnosis. I didn’t feel like myself after treatment,” she said.  

That’s when she learned about Survivor Fitness from Julie Bulger, who works at the Patient and Family Care Center at Vanderbilt’s Ingram Cancer Center.

“Cancer had taken a lot away from me, and I recognized that Survivor Fitness was one way I could do something for myself. I finally had a way to take back control where I could,” she said.

Maheen was connected with her Survivor Fitness trainer J.J. Fish, and the two began working together on a personalized plan that would help Maheen regain her strength and vitality. While losing the weight she gained during treatment was an area of focus, Maheen recognized that it was ultimately a byproduct of getting strong and healthy.

“I’m just extremely thankful to be able to work with a trainer like J.J.,” she said. “I’ve been able to lose over 45 pounds. But more than that — I’ve regained my confidence, improved my sleep, and I feel like myself again, mentally and physically.”

Maheen’s commitment to recovering her vitality and strength is inspiring to our community at Survivor Fitness. At one point in her recovery, Maheen had to stop training to recover after another surgery. She maintained a commitment to getting back to training as quickly as she could. 

“Survivor Fitness has given me so many things I never imagined I’d be able to regain,” she said. ”I feel so much stronger mentally and physically. I feel like I’ve been able to regain control over my life.” 

Join the Survivor Fitness Community

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, connect with us today to learn more.

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.