Survival Fitness builds strength, community for breast cancer survivors
NEW ULM, Minn. (KEYC) — In New Ulm, women who are navigating a life changed by breast cancer are creating a community.
At CrossFit on the north side of New Ulm, eight women know all too well what breast cancer does to a body.
“We’re left wrecked,” said Survival Fitness member Sara Schultz.
Marsha Miller, a breast cancer survivor, pauses in between workouts Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at New Ulm CrossFit. Miller is a member of Survival Fitness - a support group organized for New Ulm women who are navigating a life changed by breast cancer.
For these survivors of chemo, surgery, and stress — their fight continues.
This session: plenty of strength training and work restoring balance. Doctors’ orders for survivors: 7,000-10,000 steps a day.
“We make those recommendations without any landing area,” said Dr. Cori Jordan who created the Survivor Fitness program for her patients to get strength training, yoga, and a support group all in one ultimate safe space, “It’s an opportunity for these women to take the power back from cancer. You can leave your wig at the door! No one’s looking at your bald head. No one’s looking at your surgical differences.”
Marsha Miller, a breast cancer survivor, uses a resistance band while doing a wall plank exercise Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at New Ulm CrossFit. Miller is a member of Survival Fitness - a support group organized for New Ulm women who are navigating a life changed by breast cancer.
Jordan leads the half-hour yoga class every weekend. “They end up being an hour of us sitting here because the impact and the sharing happen after the class is over," Jordon said. "It’s almost like a girlfriend’s guide to treatment. They’re in recovery. They can share their stories, their tips of how to get through things."
Schultz said, “I’m very shy. So, meeting new people is always hard, but actually, a diagnosis of breast cancer secludes you even more so having people that you can connect with and from that community to bond with, it’s just so important. It just means so much to be able to have that.”
Sara Schultz, a breast cancer survivor, does box jumps during a strength training session with other members of Survival Fitness at New Ulm CrossFit, Wednesday, April 21, 2021. "Having people that you can connect with and from that community to bond with, it's just so important," Schultz said. "It just means so much to be able to have that."
Bohne said, “I think they’re doing grand and I just wish them the best of luck and good health for the rest of their days. Things should be rosy. You did the tough part. Now everything should go nice and smooth!”
This group is one month into its pilot program and organizers are already planning for the next group. It’s free for the women to belong to Survival Fitness thanks to a local nonprofit, Be The Light.
Cleo Bohne, left, does power clean lifts with other members of Survival Fitness, Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at New Ulm CrossFit.
Cleo Bohne completes a set of power clean lifts, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at New Ulm CrossFit. "I make it look easy," the 80-year-old said.
Brandy Toomer, right, a fitness coach at New Ulm CrossFit, leads a workout session for members of Survival Fitness, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in New Ulm, Minn.
Survival Fitness members perform power cleans as New Ulm CrossFit coach Brandy Toomer leads the session, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in New Ulm, Minn. Survival Fitness - created by Dr. Cori Jordan - is a support group organized for New Ulm women who are navigating a life changed by breast cancer.