Like most young people, I thought I was invincible – I ate whatever I wanted and moved as little as I pleased. Before I found Aspire, the last time I stepped foot in a gym was to reach a yoga class on the other side.
Everything changed in 2019 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 22 years old. I went from being blissfully indifferent about my health to thinking about it every second of every day. Over the next few years, I was forced to settle into my new life of surgeries, scans, shots, and pills.
By 2022, I had built myself back up from the toll of cancer treatment – mentally and emotionally, at least. But I knew that if I wanted to enjoy a long, full life of traveling and Disney-bounding, I needed to work on my physical strength. Having never felt comfortable in regular gyms, I searched for women’s only gyms and found Aspire. After weeks of hesitating and contemplating, I finally called Anthony and haven’t looked back since.
For the first time in my life, I was able to stick with a weekly workout routine. I was motivated to show up consistently because the coaches at Aspire truly believed that I was capable of being strong and getting stronger.
When I had a cancer recurrence in 2023 and was faced with 6 months of chemo and radiation, it was the strength I had gained from Aspire that allowed me to fight again. In fact, it saved my life.
I may not be invincible still, but when I’m at Aspire – well, I sure feel damn close!
