certified Personal Trainer, American College of Sports Medicine;
certifiedCancer Exercise Specialist, Cancer Exercise Training Institute
Julie, summit of Aconcagua
I am a New York musician. At age 37 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction. Because of the high number of positive lymph nodes I had chemo, radiation, and then more chemo. In the beginning of my cancer experience I exercised because it’s something I enjoy, and I needed as much enjoyment as I could get. I had a fierce determination to return to all the activities I love, including playing music, climbing mountains, skiing, and windsurfing. What I discovered was that exercising actually improved how I felt and helped me manage the side effects of my treatment. When finished with treatment, I started training hard to return to climbing and the other activities I enjoy. In 2003, just one year after finishing treatment, I climbed Mt. Rainier, 14,410' to raise funds for breast cancer research. I followed that with trekking through the Himalayas, and two years later summiting Cerro Aconcagua, at 22,841’ the highest peak in the Western hemisphere. I feel so strongly about the benefits of exercise during all phases of treatment and beyond that I got certified as a Personal Trainer and Cancer Exercise Specialist. While I still work as a musician, I am now dedicated to helping others stay fit and stay strong.
