Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Lauritsen.
Hi Casey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve learned that strength isn’t just about what your body can do — it’s about how much your mind and spirit can endure.
As the daughter of a chiropractor, I grew up surrounded by anatomy charts and conversations about movement and healing. It was no surprise when I followed a similar path and founded Therapeutic Hands Massage, LLC. From the start, my goal was simple: to help people move better, feel better, and live better.
In 2006, I became an NCBTMB Licensed Massage Therapist and began my career with the Tennessee Titans. Working alongside professional athletes opened my eyes to the world of sports therapy — a field that blended science, movement, and healing in ways that deeply resonated with me. I went on to earn national certifications in Sports and Rehabilitation Therapy and Therapeutic Training Techniques, which gave me a front-row seat to the power of body mechanics, injury prevention, and holistic recovery care. These experiences deepened my understanding of how to help others build, perform, and recover at the highest level.
But even with all that knowledge, nothing could have prepared me for the challenges that came next.
After multiple back surgeries and ultimately a spinal fusion, I faced the painful reality that I could no longer continue my massage career. Losing that part of my identity was devastating — but it also became a turning point. During my own rehabilitation, I discovered a new passion: personal training. What began as a personal recovery journey soon evolved into a mission to help others rebuild their strength, confidence, and mobility. I realized that my purpose hadn’t ended — it had simply shifted. I was no longer healing others with my hands, but empowering them through movement.
Just as I was preparing for my first all-natural fitness competition in 2024, life took another unexpected turn. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and when not all tumor cells could be removed, I began treatment while still recovering from two major surgeries. Then, in February 2025, I received another devastating diagnosis — cervical cancer.
My first thought wasn’t about myself — it was about my son. I knew I had to stay strong so I could be there for him. I wanted him to see his mother fight and rise again. I wanted him to learn that no matter what happens, we can always choose courage over fear.
That’s when I decided to take a different approach. Instead of the traditional chemotherapy and radiation that my oncologist recommended, I chose to pursue natural, alternative treatments through the Riordan Integrative Cancer Clinic. There, I began focusing on nutrient therapy, immune support, and restoring balance to my body. It was a decision rooted in faith, research, and the deep desire to take back control of my health and my life.
Even while undergoing cancer treatments, I found my way back to personal training — this time with a deeper sense of purpose. Every client I work with reminds me that strength comes in many forms. It’s found in the small victories, in the moments when you want to give up but don’t, and in the courage it takes to keep showing up even when life feels impossible.
Every day, I use my experience to inspire others to push through their challenges — whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. I know what it feels like to lose your strength, your purpose, and even your hope. But I also know that it’s possible to rebuild, to rise again, and to become stronger than you ever thought possible.
Fitness has become my way of living my second life — one rooted in gratitude, perseverance, and purpose. My goal now is simple: to be the kind of role model my son can look up to, and to show others that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you have the power to rise again.
Because real strength doesn’t come from what we’ve lost — it comes from what we find within ourselves when we decide to fight back.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No — not smooth, to say the least. But I’ve always learned best through experience, and every obstacle has taught me something invaluable. Over the years, I’ve undergone 25 surgeries for various health conditions and injuries, including Achalasia, a rare esophageal disease, multiple back surgeries, and ultimately a spinal fusion that completely changed the course of my career. That experience forced me to step away from massage therapy and ultimately led me to discover my true passion for personal training and movement rehabilitation.
Then came my cancer diagnoses — first breast cancer in 2024, followed by cervical cancer in early 2025. Those moments tested me in ways I never could have imagined. Healing from multiple major surgeries while facing cancer treatment was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it also reminded me just how strong and resilient the human body — and spirit — can be.
In many ways, these afflictions have become my superpower. With every surgery, every diagnosis, and every setback, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the body — not just from study, but from living it. Each experience has revealed another layer of anatomy, healing, and recovery that I now bring into my work. It’s given me the ability to assess my clients’ challenges with empathy and precision, and to guide them through recovery with firsthand knowledge of what it truly means to rebuild from the inside out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At On The Brink Fitness – Athletic Performance Studio, we believe you don’t need to reinvent yourself — your strength is already there. With the right guidance, you can move better, feel stronger, and perform at your best, both in sport and in life.
Our one-on-one training programs are fully personalized to each client’s goals — whether focused on athletic performance, conditioning, strength, mobility, injury recovery, or overall wellness. Every session blends expert instruction with a deep understanding of biomechanics, emphasizing proper form, injury prevention, and functional strength that translates beyond the gym.
As an Athletic Performance Studio, we specialize in training athletes of all levels — from youth and amateur competitors to collegiate and professional players. Our programs enhance mobility, biomechanics, speed, agility, coordination, and endurance, with a focus on balance and body control to maximize performance and minimize injury.
Led by Casey Lauritsen, a Certified Functional Fitness Trainer and former Sports and Rehabilitation Therapist, On The Brink Fitness brings together years of experience in anatomy, biomechanics, and sports therapy — including hands-on work with professional teams like the Tennessee Titans. Our approach bridges the gap between rehabilitation and performance, helping athletes not only recover but return stronger, faster, and more confident.
Our private two-room studio offers a focused, distraction-free environment for athletes and clients who want results. Each session is tailored to the individual — blending personalized programming, education, and motivation to help clients perform, recover, and grow stronger from the inside out.
We’re also proud to feature Fit3D body scanning technology, which provides a complete 3D analysis of body composition, posture, and symmetry. Powered by an algorithm based on DEXA scans, it captures hundreds of data points to measure muscle balance, fat percentage, and progress with medical-grade accuracy. It’s one of the most advanced tools available for athletes who want to track real results and train smarter.
At On The Brink Fitness – Athletic Performance Studio, we don’t just build stronger bodies — we build confidence, discipline, and resilience. Our mission is to help every client discover their true potential — on the field, in the gym, and in life.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I’ve learned that true strength isn’t found in perfection — it’s found in perseverance. Life has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the hardest moments often become our greatest teachers. Strength isn’t built when things are easy; it’s built in the moments when everything feels impossible, yet you decide to take one more step anyway.
When I first started out, I thought success meant having everything figured out — the perfect plan, the perfect timing, the perfect outcome. But life doesn’t work that way. What I’ve discovered is that success comes from simply starting — taking that first step toward creating a better version of yourself, even when you’re scared, unsure, or exhausted. Once you begin, everything starts to shift.
The next most important thing is the people you surround yourself with. Find those who share your values, who encourage your growth, and who bring light into your life. Negativity and doubt can spread like cancer if you let them, and protecting your mindset is everything. I’ve learned to be intentional about who I allow into my space — because your environment can either fuel your purpose or drain it.
Every setback, every failure, and every painful season I’ve endured has shaped me into who I am today. I’ve learned to embrace the process — to find meaning in the struggle and gratitude in the growth. Perfection isn’t the goal anymore. Progress is. And as long as I keep showing up — no matter how many times life knocks me down — I know I’m still moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.OnTheBrinkFitness.com
- Instagram: @Onthebrinkfitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthebrinkspringhill
