Cancer. A word none of us want to hear, and yet we hear it far to often. In fact, in the US alone, over 1500 people are diagnosed every DAY. Although it can be terminal, the good news is this: people are living well beyond their initial diagnosis. Researchers attribute a huge part of this improved and extended quality of life to their health and fitness. That’s why I’m so excited to bring you Cancer Exercise Specialist and the founder of Cancer Champion Fitness, Jen Miramontes.
Jen has been training herself and others in fitness and health her entire career. Then one day, her mother uttered these terrible words.
“I have terminal cancer.”
Jen asked her mother what she wanted to do with her remaining time. Her mother wanted to hike in and out of the Grand Canyon with a backpack – no simple feat.
Jen did her homework and after getting the green light from her mother’s oncologist, they started training. It got dicey at times, but Jen’s mother reached her goal. While she didn’t survive the cancer, the work they did together improved her last days.
One thing Jen learned during this process was that while she had been training her whole life – either herself or others – she didn’t know anything about training someone with cancer. And neither did anyone else.
In our interview, Jen shares how this experience taught her so much and how it led her to start Cancer Champion Fitness. She said,
“We know how we feel when we eat well, even when we aren’t battling a disease like cancer, so imagine when you’re going through chemo and radiation…”
We talked about what it took, on the business side, to create this program. Jen had a lot of doubts at first. It’s so important to remember that “you don’t have to be an expert in everything to grow something.” Starting a business is finding people who can support you so you can do what it is that you’re called to do. I know this interview will be encouraging for every entrepreneur experiencing all the ups and downs of building a business.
A message for cancer patients
Jen says for anyone out there living with cancer, “Don’t give up hope. You can exercise, eat well, and have a community. We will be there for you.”
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed, learn more about how Jen’s program can help. Visit www.cancerchampionfitness.com for resources and expertise you can’t find anywhere else.
Let’s help more people fight this battle. Spread the word! Take a moment to share this interview and the website. And if this inspired you, let us know in the comments – we love hearing from you!
And remember to…
Dream it. Live it. BE it.
