Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Grunke.
Hi Aaron, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer at 21 years old, while I was a Senior at Auburn University. While most of my friends were headed to tailgates and football games, I was headed to get chemo. After almost two years filled with multiple rounds of chemotherapy and many surgeries, I was finally told the cancer was gone. Of course, I was happy with this news, but a new wave of fear came over me – what now? The surgeries and treatment I underwent left me weak, frail, and overweight.
Once the cancer was “gone” so was the support, but I was still very much affected, both physically and mentally, by everything I had been through. I turned to the gym for an outlet, but I quickly realized I wasn’t capable of the same exercises I could easily handle prior to treatment. I thought I knew how to work out, but my body had been through so much change that what worked for me before treatment wasn’t working after. I was fortunate enough that a trainer took interest in my story, understood the challenges, and began showing me steps to rebuild my body and my health. This is when my energy began to rebuild, and my anxiety began to ease. This is when Survivor Fitness was born.
Cancer doesn’t end when the treatments and surgeries do. There is much more to “beating cancer” than most people realize, both physically and mentally. Every day people are ringing the bell and celebrate the end of treatment, but inside they’re lost and lonely. You are not the same and neither is your body. This is how I felt, and I know there are thousands of others who faced cancer who feel the same way.
I started Survivor Fitness as a way to bridge this gap and give people a chance to take back control of their lives and their health. My wife, Meg, and I initially launched Survivor Fitness in Nashville and have since grown to Knoxville and Chattanooga.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure that starting any business comes without some hiccups. As a 501c3, we have worked hard over the years to make sure that every person who applies to be part of the Survivor Fitness programs receives the support they need. Thanks to many amazing individuals and companies, hundreds of cancer survivors have been able to take part in Survivor Fitness. We have also been able to forge great relationships with area Oncology Groups and Hospitals to help their patients.
As a growing organization, the biggest struggle is simply the bandwidth to do all that’s needed, but that’s a struggle that comes with most growing businesses. The other challenge is making sure all cancer patients are aware that Survivor Fitness is available to them. We are here to help and would love to have them as part of Survivor Fitness.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Survivor Fitness Foundation?
Survivor Fitness is a 501c3 that helps cancer survivors regain their health and wellness. Cancer survivors face many side effects including weight gain or loss, lost strength, decreased bone density, and extreme fatigue. Through Survivor Fitness we aim to change the way people face life after cancer and help them address the side effects of their cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments so they can truly move forward.
Survivor Fitness primarily provides one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, meeting people at their fitness level and their point of need. We work with qualified exercise specialists throughout the area to provide participants with one-on-one personal training twice a week for 12 to 14 weeks. In addition, participants have the opportunity to work with a Registered Dietitian 3-5 times throughout the program.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating cancer, and the same goes for recovery. By taking into account each individual’s situation and needs, participants are able to progress through the programs at their speed and comfort level. That’s what’s great about Survivor Fitness – we’ve worked with a 24-year-old Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor who was a D1 athlete yet scared to go into the gym for fear of facing the reality of what cancer had done to her body. We’ve also worked with an 81-year-old prostate cancer survivor who was focused more on functional fitness and regaining his strength. Every person is different, and we are committed to helping each cancer survivor take back control of their health and their life.
We are honored and humbled to be a part of someone’s story. Exercise and nutrition provide so much more than meets the eye. Yes, there are physical benefits, but the mental components provide countless benefits for an individual and their family. To see the light and joy that comes to someone’s face and overall attitude when they realize cancer doesn’t have to define who they are, that’s a moment we will never get tired of seeing.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you or someone you know has faced cancer and is interested in being part of Survivor Fitness, we would love to help. You can simply go to our website and apply to be part of the programs!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.survivorfitness.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivorfitnessfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/survivorfitnessfoundation
