Ever wondered how fitness could be the key to reclaiming life after a cancer diagnosis? Meet Aaron Grunke, the founder of Survivor Fitness, who transformed his harrowing battle with cancer into a beacon of hope for other survivors. Aaron shares the raw and emotional journey from being a 21-year-old college student facing the stark realities of cancer treatment to enduring multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. He doesn’t hold back on the profound challenges, from grappling with depression and anxiety to the crucial moment he decided to pave a new path for recovery through fitness. Discover how Aaron's personal struggles sparked the creation of Survivor Fitness, a lifeline offering personalized fitness programs to rebuild strength and confidence for cancer survivors.
Join us as we follow Aaron and his wife on their inspiring mission to empower survivors across Tennessee. Initially starting with one hesitant participant, their supportive fitness program blossomed into a 501c3 organization, now available at 19 locations, providing 24 personal training sessions over 12-14 weeks, completely free of charge. Learn how you can make a difference by supporting this transformative foundation through donations, participating in events like the Soiree and Rock the Row, or simply spreading the word. Aaron’s heartfelt words of encouragement remind us of the power of community and support, emphasizing the significant, positive impact their programs have on mental and physical health. Don’t miss Aaron’s incredible story and the chance to be part of this life-changing initiative—visit survivorfitness.org for more information and upcoming events.
Join us as we follow Aaron and his wife on their inspiring mission to empower survivors across Tennessee. Initially starting with one hesitant participant, their supportive fitness program blossomed into a 501c3 organization, now available at 19 locations, providing 24 personal training sessions over 12-14 weeks, completely free of charge. Learn how you can make a difference by supporting this transformative foundation through donations, participating in events like the Soiree and Rock the Row, or simply spreading the word. Aaron’s heartfelt words of encouragement remind us of the power of community and support, emphasizing the significant, positive impact their programs have on mental and physical health. Don’t miss Aaron’s incredible story and the chance to be part of this life-changing initiative—visit survivorfitness.org for more information and upcoming events.
To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, welcome back everybody to another fabulous
episode of Benchmark Happening.
So it is my pleasure today tointroduce Aaron Grunke, who is
actually the founder of SurvivorFitness, which is a foundation
for those who have survivedcancer.
So, aaron, thank you for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely Well.
Thank you for having me.
This is an exciting opportunityto be able to speak with you
all and tell our story.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Absolutely.
You know, as I was reading onthe website and our daughter,
brittany, is the one thatintroduced us was telling us all
about your foundation, and wewere just like and she was so
excited.
She said you have got to getAaron on the podcast because we
really have to share his storyand the great things that you're
doing for cancer survivors.
So, aaron, let's just diveright into this.
(00:51):
So you know, you were diagnosedwith cancer at the age of 23.
So share that journey with usand you know that just had to
have been devastating at such ayoung age.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Sure, you go from college student.
I was about to start my senioryear of college and literally
two days before I heard the newsthat you have cancer.
And those three words.
They'll change anybody's life,but at such a young age.
(01:27):
I was worried about gettingback to campus to go out, go
party with my friends, get readyfor my final year and then all
of a sudden I'm now a cancerfighter, you know, a cancer
survivor, and worried about youknow, surgery, coordinating that
, worried about what was nextand just really life changed.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
I mean, in an instant life can change next and just
really life changed, I mean inan instant.
Life can change, yes, and.
And so, with that journey, um,what was your, what was some of
your experiences that youlearned?
And and then let's talk aboutwhat compelled you to start, um,
this survivor fitnessfoundation.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Sure.
So you know, being diagnosed um.
At first we thought we got itall.
That's what my doctor thoughtwith the initial surgery.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
And how old were you when you were first diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
So I was 21 when I was first diagnosed and I was 23
when I heard you're all clear.
And during that almost twoyears there were three surgeries
, three different rounds ofchemo, and by rounds I mean
regimens.
So I was diagnosed in August of2004 and was told we got it all
(02:36):
.
I was able to go back to schooland do my senior fall of
studies.
And then about Thanksgiving Ihad a blood test and it showed
my tumor markers were up andthat chemotherapy was going to
be my next course of treatmentand that actually was going to
be in the cards.
Instead, we were hoping itwasn't, but it was.
(02:56):
And then, after that threemonths of chemotherapy, I was
told we got it.
All you know get, get back toliving, get um, go get healthy.
And then three months latersomething showed up on a scan in
my abdomen.
So we ended up I'd have, I hadto have surgery, and then I had
to have a little bit more chemo.
Went back to school, my fifthfall to finish, and then the
(03:20):
same thing happened.
We saw something on a scan andthen finally, a little bit more
chemo and then I was done at 23.
So what I learned during thatwas a lot of highs and lows, um,
really scared, didn't know whatwas next.
Um, so mentally it was drainingas well as the physical part.
So, I didn't realize it untilthe physical part was done and I
(03:41):
was, you know, on my own Um.
I was young, so all the all thedoctors were saying you're
young, you got your whole lifeahead of you.
You know, looking back, thiswill just be a bump in the road,
um, and that was.
That was what was scary,because once the treatment was
done, I was on my own um youngadult.
I didn't really understand whatI'd been through at 23,.
(04:03):
But I really didn't relate tomy peers as much as I thought I
would anymore, because problemsthat an average 23 year old had
versus just getting done withcancer was very different.
So mentally it took as much ofa toll as physically.
I mean I'd gained some weight soI was 20 some pounds heavier.
But really, mentally, thedepression, the anxiety, the,
(04:23):
the fear, the what is next, wasthe really scary part for me you
know, and I'm thinking at sucha young age, I mean going
through multiple surgeries,chemo.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Did you have radiation as well?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I did not have radiation.
My type of cancer did notrespond to radiation, so they
they knew just for chemotherapyand then surgeries when needed.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, and so then you found yourself with having some
anxiety, depression, what'snext?
So I think that now that'swhat's next birthed this
wonderful organization SurvivorFitness.
Tell us how that started, aaron.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Absolutely Well as lonely as I felt after cancer,
with no real, there's noguidebook when you're done with
cancer treatment.
It's amazing that there aremore and more of us that are
surviving battles with cancer,but now it's time to focus on
well, what's next?
You know, you got through thatlife-changing battle, but what's
next?
(05:23):
And that's where I felt themost lonely and the most lost,
because the fatigue that I wasfeeling, you know, led to even
more depression and anxiety.
But how do you get rid offatigue after cancer?
Is you got to be active and so.
I tried to go to the gym on myown because I was active as a
kid, so I I knew how to work outfor sports.
I did not know how to work outfrom ground zero
(05:45):
post-chemotherapy, and so Itried on my own for a couple of
years to get back in shape, andit just wasn't working like I
thought it should or understoodthat it should.
I should be losing weight, Ishould be getting stamina back,
and I just wasn't.
And so I met with a trainer andtold him my story and he took a
liking, you know, took a likingto what I'd been through and
(06:07):
helping me.
And so when I started doingthings his way, it drastically
improved everything that I wastrying to do.
So mentally I was feelingbetter, physically, you know,
stamina was back, but it wasreally, you know.
The lights came back on, likehope was back, and so that
experience, that journey bymyself, is why I didn't think
(06:28):
any other cancer survivor shouldhave to do that alone.
And there's a real gap in therecovery process, and that's our
goal at Survivor.
Fitness is to be the bridgeback.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
To fill in that gap.
And so, when you met thistrainer, was this at the gym
that you were working out, or isthis someone that you sought?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
out.
This was just happenstance.
At the gym I was working out,they had um.
They were going to do a bio ora body test to tell you body fat
vo2 max.
Some of the basics and I staredat that sign for about six
months before I finally was likeI know what it's going to tell
me.
I might as well just face themusic.
And I happened to sign up for atime where this particular
(07:06):
gentleman was working and just areal positive guy and real
encouraging and just gave mesome basic advice and I started
just listening to him and I'd gocheck in with him periodically
and I'd never dove into any ofthose numbers before cancer and
so seeing those go down it gaveme something to hold on to and
mentally it really helped.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Okay and then so, so you had talked with another
person about, um, you know,trying to fill in the gap of
okay, I'm cancer survivor.
You found that having a trainerworked.
Was he working with you notonly on exercise but nutrition?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
He would give a little bit of advice of
nutrition and I just would sharethis is what I'm eating, what
do you think of this diet orthat diet?
And he just gave me some basic,basic advice.
But what you find is you can,unfortunately, make Google tell
you whatever you want it to, andthat's what's scary is, you can
unravel any fitness advice andreally get tangled up in what
(08:13):
you should be doing, and so itwas nice to have an outlet just
telling me about the basics andjust understanding general
nutrition and protein intake andthings like that.
That again wasn't on my radarbefore all this.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Right, right.
And so what are some of thestatistics that you've learned?
Because there's thousands ofcancer survivors and they have,
like you just explained,lingering side effects that your
doctor releases you.
Hey, you're good, you're goingto look back on this bump in the
road.
Well, doc, that's easy for youto say right, but man, you had
(08:47):
another mountain to climb.
So what are some of thosestatistics?
I think the people listeningneed to understand.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
The one that stands out to me the most is really 60
to 90% of us cancer survivorswould qualify for at least one
need for specializedrehabilitation.
And so you know you can.
So you can split that stat downthe middle.
And it's over 7 out of 10 of usthat walk out that are cancer
survivors would need some extraspecial attention and only 2%
(09:18):
get it.
So there's a lot of people outthere that are feeling lonely.
They're feeling down.
They got their life back, buttheir quality of life is not
back yet.
And that's again the mostamazing thing is to hear there's
no evidence of disease,anything like that, but then to
go out back to the real worldand feel like that.
(09:40):
That's why we exist.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
And it sounds to me like the medical community
really is missing the mark onthis, aaron, because I think
about.
I'm a nurse by trade, so Ithink about a cancer, survivor,
and if you're not getting betterand your mental health,
nutrition, because your body hasbeen completely depleted of all
(10:06):
the nutritional resources fromchemotherapy, then you're going
to end up with more medicalproblems down the road being a
chronically ill patient, um soand that's what's.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
That's what's really scary is I mean you know a few
other stats 37% increase incardiovascular disease, 52%
increase in heart failure.
So everything you just saidleads to inactivity.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Yep, because you don't.
You feel.
The worse you feel, the moreyou're going to sit around.
But you've learned that bybeing active it actually keeps
you going and helps you, helpsto be motivated.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Absolutely.
I mean the fatigue that comeswith chemotherapy and radiation.
You've got to be active to getrid of that, but then when you
don't feel like getting off thecouch, it just is a snowball
effect to.
I'm going to eat some comfortfood, or.
I'm not going to work out, orI'm not going to go hang out
with friends, which would upliftyou anyway.
So it's, it's just all acompounding issue that is not
(11:09):
being addressed.
I mean, I remember my lastappointment I left with hey
scans look great.
We'll see you in four months,and then a business card with
the appointment.
There's a little more to thestory than here's a business
card we'll see in 90 or 120 days, whatever it is for you and
you're just completely lost,because you know your support
(11:32):
group is around you.
Everything's going on whileyou're in treatment, but then,
all of a sudden, the music stopsand that's when mentally things
just can compound.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
So, with the survivor fitness you started bringing in
, you realized, hey, this isworking, have this trainer.
So how did you start meetingother people to say you know,
share your idea about?
I think it was a God given idea, Aaron, I don't believe in
coincidences.
I always think everything isfor a reason, Aaron I don't
(12:03):
believe in coincidences.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
I always think everything is for a reason.
Sure, this is so far above methat it definitely was a God
idea.
I just felt like it needed tobe out there and I was working
out at a small gym at the time,and so I just went up and
started talking to the owner andwas like hey, I have an idea.
And told him a little bit aboutmy story.
I'm a cancer survivor.
(12:24):
I really think we could designa program to help cancer
survivors after treatment whenthey need it most.
What do you think of this?
And I mean, I remember my firstidea was like let's get some
data of week one.
Let's work out for four weeks.
We'll get a little bit more,and then it was a 12-week
program.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
But the thing then it was a 12 week program.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
But the thing was it was one-on-one because I and
this was only from the lens ofmyself is I wouldn't have wanted
to work out in a group yetbecause I was still
self-conscious, so we made itone-on-one.
One of my wife's coworkers hiswife was a recent breast cancer
survivor, so she told him aboutwhat we were trying to do.
He said I don't think she'll gofor it, she's not a really a
(13:06):
big gym person.
Well, she, she did go for itand so she had the confidence
encouraged to drive across townto a gym.
She didn't know.
To someone who had an idea, who, if we're looking at it on
paper, wasn't qualified, not atrainer, not a doctor, not a PT,
just a cancer survivor sayinghey there's a gap here.
(13:27):
So we got her involved.
She had a great experience.
So we're like OK, well, we'lltry to find a few more people.
I think we had we had four orfive people the first few months
.
We did it.
And all of a sudden, theystarted, the story started to
rhyme, even though their cancerswere totally different, and so
we were like okay, we're on tosomething.
How do we do this?
Well, a friend of mine was alawyer and was like well, let's
(13:53):
file the 501c3 paperwork.
So we did that.
It was the first time he hadfilled out the paperwork.
We had an idea of the name,kind of the model, and then we
just kept talking about it andso we got going.
It's just the classic startupstory.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
It is, and what I love is the fact that the right
people came to you and thingsreally fell into place for this.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Absolutely.
I mean looking back.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
You just kind of see people being put in the right
places and all of a sudden, herewe are, many years later in the
right places and all of asudden, here we are, many years
later and you know you mentionedsomething a little bit earlier
about you know you're not,weren't qualified, because
you're not a PT, you're not aphysician, you're not a
nutritionist or a personaltrainer, but you do have the
qualifier you've got.
The most important is that thatexperience of being a survivor
(14:41):
and what people need that youcan relate to in life.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
It's definitely it's a club no one wants to be in,
but when you talk to a fellowsurvivor, you always find common
ground and can talk about thehighs and lows in a way that you
just can't if you hadn't beenthere.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
What's your thought on community with cancer
survivors?
I mean, you know, becauserelationships, that's what life
is all about, and when weisolate ourselves we don't have
those relationships.
But especially with cancersurvivors, what could you say to
someone as a cancer survivor,to build community, to get
involved.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
You don't have to be alone, and it's one of those
things I've been guilty ofwanting to be alone but, I,
always feel better talking tosomeone about it and those those
conversations with other cancersurvivors are invaluable.
Um, just to talk about it andmaybe just being around someone
who's been through it, and youdon't even have to talk about it
, you just can you understandcommon ground.
(15:41):
I would say just don't go at italone.
Um.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Right, and so now this has grown.
So how many locations do youhave in Tennessee?
Speaker 2 (15:50):
So we're in three major markets in Tennessee, with
a total of 19 locations.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
And then we also have a virtual component.
And when did this start?
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So it started in late 2012.
And my wife and I were doingthis outside of our full-time
jobs, and then we took a littlebit of a break where we were
helping people if they came tous.
But in the middle of that, mywife gave birth to our twins
that are now seven.
So you can imagine there was alittle bit of break there.
(16:21):
We moved from Nashville toKnoxville and then, in 2018, she
stepped into the executivedirector role full-time.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And Meg is her name right, meg is her name.
Yes, and so she's now full-timeexecutive director, wow Okay,
and so that's just amazing howmuch it's grown in such a little
amount of time.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
So how does someone, if a cancer survivor, contacts
you on your website?
How do you set them up?
What type of program do theyhave to qualify for certain
things, or how does the programwork?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
um what?
Speaker 1 (16:57):
do they get?
What do they get in the program?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
so the the main qualification is you've had
cancer and you're outside ofyour active treatment window.
Now we have many participantsthat are on a maintenance drug
or immunotherapy or other things.
We get their doctor's clearance, but our application is right
on the website.
There's no financialqualifications.
(17:20):
We're a 501c3.
We know there's a stack ofmedical bills because of this
diagnosis and if there's not,there may be a change of
employment, there may be variousother things.
So as a 501c3, we raise fundsto pay for the training for them
.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Okay, Okay.
And how much personal trainingdo they get in a gym like that
one-on-one?
Speaker 2 (17:45):
So 24 sessions over 12 to 14 weeks, and the reason
we give kind of a range there isthere may be a vacation in the
mix, someone may get sick, youmay have a work trip, but we try
to have that 12 to 14 weekwindow to complete the two times
a week with a trainer and thenthat trainer will be helping you
work out one more time on yourown, because we don't want to
(18:07):
just be a boot camp or a fad.
We want you to be done with usand go.
This is part of my routine now,um, I have the time and I have
the confidence which is equallyas important as the time to go
into a gym setting by myself anddo a quality workout.
Or, if you want to get backinto a group class.
You now know the new you and soyou're able to go into a group
(18:29):
setting and keep.
Now know the new you and soyou're able to go into a group
setting and keep yourself safeand have some fun.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
And what about the nutritional counseling?
Because I think that's reallyimportant.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So you'll meet with a dietitian three to five times
and we kind of have that range,because some people need a
little more focus and others,you know we're well ahead of the
curve, even before theirdiagnosis and they're already
back on the right track.
But it's great just to have atrue resource.
You know, like I, was talkingabout earlier.
You can get online and all of asudden you're never going to
(18:59):
touch bread again, or you'reonly going to eat rice, or you
never know, but you can make it,say whatever you like, and so
having a real dietitian to helpyou unravel and stay the course
is very important.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And then what about mental health?
So that type of counseling forthose that might be experiencing
depression or anxiety?
Aaron.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So that is our newest program and we have partnered
with BetterHelp so you can gosee a mental health professional
up to once a week for threemonths.
So, and that's to be decided byyou and your professional.
Some people want to go everyweek, Others, hey, once a month
is great.
I I feel like I'm doing okay,but I do want to check in, so
that is a real customizedcomponent.
(19:43):
But that is up to weekly forthree months.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Wow, you know you've covered the whole person.
You must have talked to a nurseabout developing this because I
mean, we treat peopleholistically.
So share a success story withus, because I look at you and
I'm thinking man, you are asuccess story.
You look amazing, you're happy,you're healthy, you have two
beautiful children, age seven,you're working, still productive
(20:10):
.
So what's a success story you'dlike to share?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Sure, you know.
One that comes to mind was asarcoma survivor.
She had to have muscle removedfrom her leg and even after PT
it was determined she couldn'tbe alone because she was a high
fall risk.
And if she did fall shewouldn't be able because she was
a high fall risk.
And if she did fall, shewouldn't be able to get herself
(20:38):
off the ground and so, sittinghere you know, for our audience,
she was no longer independent.
She was cancer free.
Uh, her PT told her this thisis what we have.
Well, we're, we're veryfortunate that or she you know
that she found us or we foundher, and our trainers worked
with her with what she had.
They didn't take the approachof here's what you don't have.
It was all right.
What do we have?
(20:58):
What do we have today?
What can we do?
And so they worked with her onwhat she had and by the time
they were done working together,she's independent again and we
take that for granted.
But she can get up if she falls, she can go on with her day.
So now her husband is back towork.
He didn't have to stay with her24 hours a day for safety.
So that's a real success story,just getting your daily
(21:24):
activities back, and she's atrue fighter.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
I love that.
That is awesome, and so do youhave any?
I know you said that you have19 locations, right.
Are there any up here inJohnson City, bristol, kingsport
, I know in Knoxville, right?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
At this time we don't have any physical locations up
here.
It's a great market, andsomeday we should be up here.
It's a great market and somedaywe should be up here.
But right now we're Knoxville,nashville and then Chattanooga
was our most recent expansion.
And then we do have virtual,because a lot of people will
drive 30, 45 minutes to go getchemotherapy but that's not
(22:04):
really in the cards to go workout, and so we do have a really
good virtual program to wherewe'll have a trainer meet you
virtually.
You can train at your house.
We'll send up to three piecesof gym equipment to your home
and then you're able to work outthere, and you know we're
seeing great success with that.
Unfortunately, you know, covidchanged us all and so that
became part of it to help peopleand we just stuck it.
(22:28):
You know we've we've been ableto help people in other States
as well, so is there a plan togo to other States, aaron to,
for this program or?
we talk big pipe dreams butreally we want to be able to
service the markets we have to,the best of our abilities and
then we can look at how do wescale outside of Tennessee, but
(22:51):
right now we want to focus on.
There's so many cancersurvivors here in Tennessee that
we need to be able to helpfirst.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
And we need you.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
The health care in Tennessee desperately needs you
and your program.
So this takes money.
So let's talk about we've gotto raise money, right, so tell
us about your fundraisers.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Sure.
So we have several fitnessevents a year and then we have
two survivor soirees and thesoirees are four-course wine
dinners and they always draw agreat crowd and we're excited to
be able to do that again thisyear.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Okay, so how can people get involved to help
Aaron?
Speaker 2 (23:31):
So our website we'd we'd love to have you come visit
our website.
You can donate on our websitebecause, as you said, it does
take money that goes directly toour programs and our
participants.
So donating on our website is ais huge, or or coming to our
events to support us that way.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Okay, and what are the?
There was one, we've got theSoiree, but what about the other
fundraising event?
What's involved in that?
Speaker 2 (23:59):
one, so that one's called Rock the Row.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Rock the Row.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
It's an indoor rowing event.
So your classic rowers, teamsof 10, and it's rowing who can
row 30,000 meters the fastest.
And then in Nashville westarted there they row 42,000
meters, which is a marathon.
Oh, my goodness but it's who canrow that the fastest.
You raise money along the way.
But it's a great event becauseteams of up to 10.
(24:27):
So you get some camaraderiethere, get the competition
flowing again.
It's really a lot of fun andit's not weather permitting.
So we've had a lot of fun doingthat the past couple of years
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Well, that's great.
And then you also have a lot oflibrary resources, right.
So how do you get thosetogether for survivors?
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Sure.
So we try to have everything wecan on our website because we
know some people want to come inand start the program
immediately.
Other want to take a morecasual approach and read about
us, read about other survivors.
So we try to have our website,have all of our resources there.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
So what are some final words of encouragement,
Aaron, that you would like toshare for those listening?
Not only just about thefoundation, but really just
about, you know, being a cancersurvivor.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Being a cancer survivor.
You're not alone.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
You may feel alone.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
You may be, you know, the only one that's gone
through it out of your group offriends.
But, everybody, unfortunately,has been touched by cancer.
Somehow, some way, and justdon't go at it alone.
Look for community, yourfriends that have been your
friends your whole life.
They're going to be there foryou.
Lean on them.
It's okay to be vulnerable, butyou're going to get through it.
(25:45):
Just don't try this alone.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
It doesn't work.
And people do care, people dowant to help.
It's just, we just have to bewilling to share Sure People.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
You know, this is all .
This is all uncharted waters.
People don't know what to do,but they are willing to help.
And so again, just you're,you'll get through it.
Don't, don't go at it alone.
And so again, just you'll getthrough it.
Don't go at it alone, and we'dlove to help when you're done
with treatment.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Absolutely so.
I'm sure you talked earlierabout data collection, so are
you guys collecting that datafor your cancer survivors that
are in your program and theprevious statistics that you've
had?
Are you able to start lookingat that?
Or maybe there's a plan in thefuture to say, hey, by doing
(26:33):
this, look how these statisticsare changing, because one
disturbing statistic for me wasthat 85% of cancer survivors can
commit.
Maybe I've got that statisticwrong about suicide.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Yeah, it's a much greater risk for cancer
survivors on suicide.
We collect statistics.
We've got to be more than justtelling you how good it's going
to make you feel.
We've got to show the data,especially to the medical
community.
So being able to show physicaldata changes in your mental
health really helps us presentto the medical community as a
(27:09):
whole.
So our participants are, youknow, they're the ones going
back to their doctors and saying, hey, I'm feeling better,
everything like that.
But we're collecting them justso we have a standardized
program and we're able to showprogress the same way every time
.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Yeah, that is great and I would hope that these
physicians are excited to hearabout these improvements.
And you know, I could just see,you know the medical
communities I think about UT,knoxville, you know getting, you
know taking this program andbranching out with it to help
(27:46):
cancer survivors.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Sure, it's much needed and unfortunately there
are so many of us out there thatit will take an effort by all
to get this there.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah Well, Aaron, thank you for what you're doing
and I love what you're doing andyou're helping people, and I
think it's just something that'sbeen overlooked and fortunately
, you had to go through that.
So I think God had a somethingthat's been overlooked and
fortunately, you had to gothrough that.
So I think God had a great planfor your life in putting this
(28:16):
together.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Absolutely.
It's an honor and it's veryhumbling to watch our
participants go through theprogram and see them come out on
the other side.
They're the real heroes becausethey show up, they put in the
effort and they get on withtheir life and it is truly
humbling and I'm so proud towatch them, you know, go through
it it's, it's an honor.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Yeah, absolutely Well , aaron, we'll have to have you
back.
Uh, thank you so much for beinghere today and sharing about
this wonderful foundation and,for those of you, please go to
the website and share thatwebsite one more time, aaron.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Absolutely.
It is survivorfitnessorg and wewould love to help anybody
that's listening that needs ourservices.
So I appreciate the opportunityto be here and tell our story
because unfortunately it's it'sa needed story and and someone
listening will need our services.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Yes, and when is the soiree in Knoxville?
Speaker 2 (29:13):
It is September 5th at the press room, so it's
coming up quicker than we think.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
Yes, well, I know Brittany went last year, so
she's so excited about it.
It's just right down her alley,it's right down our alley.
So guys make plans, those whoare listening, and you can
donate right on the website,right?
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Absolutely Okay.
Please make plans and, if youfeel so, led the website will
make it very easy for you.
Okay, we look forward to havingyou all again this year.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Okay, aaron.
Thank you again.
Survivor Fitness everybody.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
This has been Benchmark Happenings, brought to
you by Jonathan Tipton andSteve Reed from Benchmark Home
Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders.
They do home loans in NortheastTennessee and they're not only
licensed in Tennessee butFlorida, georgia, south Carolina
and Virginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(30:05):
If you did make sure to likerate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(30:27):
Benchmark Happenings.
Well, welcome back everybody to another fabulous
episode of Benchmark Happening.
So it is my pleasure today tointroduce Aaron Grunke, who is
actually the founder of SurvivorFitness, which is a foundation
for those who have survivedcancer.
So, aaron, thank you for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely Well.
Thank you for having me.
This is an exciting opportunityto be able to speak with you
all and tell our story.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Absolutely.
You know, as I was reading onthe website and our daughter,
brittany, is the one thatintroduced us was telling us all
about your foundation, and wewere just like and she was so
excited.
She said you have got to getAaron on the podcast because we
really have to share his storyand the great things that you're
doing for cancer survivors.
So, aaron, let's just diveright into this.
(00:51):
So you know, you were diagnosedwith cancer at the age of 23.
So share that journey with usand you know that just had to
have been devastating at such ayoung age.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Sure, you go from college student.
I was about to start my senioryear of college and literally
two days before I heard the newsthat you have cancer.
And those three words.
They'll change anybody's life,but at such a young age.
(01:27):
I was worried about gettingback to campus to go out, go
party with my friends, get readyfor my final year and then all
of a sudden I'm now a cancerfighter, you know, a cancer
survivor, and worried about youknow, surgery, coordinating that
, worried about what was nextand just really life changed.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
I mean, in an instant life can change next and just
really life changed, I mean inan instant.
Life can change, yes, and.
And so, with that journey, um,what was your, what was some of
your experiences that youlearned?
And and then let's talk aboutwhat compelled you to start, um,
this survivor fitnessfoundation.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Sure.
So you know, being diagnosed um.
At first we thought we got itall.
That's what my doctor thoughtwith the initial surgery.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
And how old were you when you were first diagnosed?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
So I was 21 when I was first diagnosed and I was 23
when I heard you're all clear.
And during that almost twoyears there were three surgeries
, three different rounds ofchemo, and by rounds I mean
regimens.
So I was diagnosed in August of2004 and was told we got it all
(02:36):
.
I was able to go back to schooland do my senior fall of
studies.
And then about Thanksgiving Ihad a blood test and it showed
my tumor markers were up andthat chemotherapy was going to
be my next course of treatmentand that actually was going to
be in the cards.
Instead, we were hoping itwasn't, but it was.
(02:56):
And then, after that threemonths of chemotherapy, I was
told we got it.
All you know get, get back toliving, get um, go get healthy.
And then three months latersomething showed up on a scan in
my abdomen.
So we ended up I'd have, I hadto have surgery, and then I had
to have a little bit more chemo.
Went back to school, my fifthfall to finish, and then the
(03:20):
same thing happened.
We saw something on a scan andthen finally, a little bit more
chemo and then I was done at 23.
So what I learned during thatwas a lot of highs and lows, um,
really scared, didn't know whatwas next.
Um, so mentally it was drainingas well as the physical part.
So, I didn't realize it untilthe physical part was done and I
(03:41):
was, you know, on my own Um.
I was young, so all the all thedoctors were saying you're
young, you got your whole lifeahead of you.
You know, looking back, thiswill just be a bump in the road,
um, and that was.
That was what was scary,because once the treatment was
done, I was on my own um youngadult.
I didn't really understand whatI'd been through at 23,.
(04:03):
But I really didn't relate tomy peers as much as I thought I
would anymore, because problemsthat an average 23 year old had
versus just getting done withcancer was very different.
So mentally it took as much ofa toll as physically.
I mean I'd gained some weight soI was 20 some pounds heavier.
But really, mentally, thedepression, the anxiety, the,
(04:23):
the fear, the what is next, wasthe really scary part for me you
know, and I'm thinking at sucha young age, I mean going
through multiple surgeries,chemo.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Did you have radiation as well?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I did not have radiation.
My type of cancer did notrespond to radiation, so they
they knew just for chemotherapyand then surgeries when needed.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, and so then you found yourself with having some
anxiety, depression, what'snext?
So I think that now that'swhat's next birthed this
wonderful organization SurvivorFitness.
Tell us how that started, aaron.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Absolutely Well as lonely as I felt after cancer,
with no real, there's noguidebook when you're done with
cancer treatment.
It's amazing that there aremore and more of us that are
surviving battles with cancer,but now it's time to focus on
well, what's next?
You know, you got through thatlife-changing battle, but what's
next?
(05:23):
And that's where I felt themost lonely and the most lost,
because the fatigue that I wasfeeling, you know, led to even
more depression and anxiety.
But how do you get rid offatigue after cancer?
Is you got to be active and so.
I tried to go to the gym on myown because I was active as a
kid, so I I knew how to work outfor sports.
I did not know how to work outfrom ground zero
(05:45):
post-chemotherapy, and so Itried on my own for a couple of
years to get back in shape, andit just wasn't working like I
thought it should or understoodthat it should.
I should be losing weight, Ishould be getting stamina back,
and I just wasn't.
And so I met with a trainer andtold him my story and he took a
liking, you know, took a likingto what I'd been through and
(06:07):
helping me.
And so when I started doingthings his way, it drastically
improved everything that I wastrying to do.
So mentally I was feelingbetter, physically, you know,
stamina was back, but it wasreally, you know.
The lights came back on, likehope was back, and so that
experience, that journey bymyself, is why I didn't think
(06:28):
any other cancer survivor shouldhave to do that alone.
And there's a real gap in therecovery process, and that's our
goal at Survivor.
Fitness is to be the bridgeback.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
To fill in that gap.
And so, when you met thistrainer, was this at the gym
that you were working out, or isthis someone that you sought?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
out.
This was just happenstance.
At the gym I was working out,they had um.
They were going to do a bio ora body test to tell you body fat
vo2 max.
Some of the basics and I staredat that sign for about six
months before I finally was likeI know what it's going to tell
me.
I might as well just face themusic.
And I happened to sign up for atime where this particular
(07:06):
gentleman was working and just areal positive guy and real
encouraging and just gave mesome basic advice and I started
just listening to him and I'd gocheck in with him periodically
and I'd never dove into any ofthose numbers before cancer and
so seeing those go down it gaveme something to hold on to and
mentally it really helped.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Okay and then so, so you had talked with another
person about, um, you know,trying to fill in the gap of
okay, I'm cancer survivor.
You found that having a trainerworked.
Was he working with you notonly on exercise but nutrition?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
He would give a little bit of advice of
nutrition and I just would sharethis is what I'm eating, what
do you think of this diet orthat diet?
And he just gave me some basic,basic advice.
But what you find is you can,unfortunately, make Google tell
you whatever you want it to, andthat's what's scary is, you can
unravel any fitness advice andreally get tangled up in what
(08:13):
you should be doing, and so itwas nice to have an outlet just
telling me about the basics andjust understanding general
nutrition and protein intake andthings like that.
That again wasn't on my radarbefore all this.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Right, right.
And so what are some of thestatistics that you've learned?
Because there's thousands ofcancer survivors and they have,
like you just explained,lingering side effects that your
doctor releases you.
Hey, you're good, you're goingto look back on this bump in the
road.
Well, doc, that's easy for youto say right, but man, you had
(08:47):
another mountain to climb.
So what are some of thosestatistics?
I think the people listeningneed to understand.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
The one that stands out to me the most is really 60
to 90% of us cancer survivorswould qualify for at least one
need for specializedrehabilitation.
And so you know you can.
So you can split that stat downthe middle.
And it's over 7 out of 10 of usthat walk out that are cancer
survivors would need some extraspecial attention and only 2%
(09:18):
get it.
So there's a lot of people outthere that are feeling lonely.
They're feeling down.
They got their life back, buttheir quality of life is not
back yet.
And that's again the mostamazing thing is to hear there's
no evidence of disease,anything like that, but then to
go out back to the real worldand feel like that.
(09:40):
That's why we exist.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
And it sounds to me like the medical community
really is missing the mark onthis, aaron, because I think
about.
I'm a nurse by trade, so Ithink about a cancer, survivor,
and if you're not getting betterand your mental health,
nutrition, because your body hasbeen completely depleted of all
(10:06):
the nutritional resources fromchemotherapy, then you're going
to end up with more medicalproblems down the road being a
chronically ill patient, um soand that's what's.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
That's what's really scary is I mean you know a few
other stats 37% increase incardiovascular disease, 52%
increase in heart failure.
So everything you just saidleads to inactivity.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Yep, because you don't.
You feel.
The worse you feel, the moreyou're going to sit around.
But you've learned that bybeing active it actually keeps
you going and helps you, helpsto be motivated.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Absolutely.
I mean the fatigue that comeswith chemotherapy and radiation.
You've got to be active to getrid of that, but then when you
don't feel like getting off thecouch, it just is a snowball
effect to.
I'm going to eat some comfortfood, or.
I'm not going to work out, orI'm not going to go hang out
with friends, which would upliftyou anyway.
So it's, it's just all acompounding issue that is not
(11:09):
being addressed.
I mean, I remember my lastappointment I left with hey
scans look great.
We'll see you in four months,and then a business card with
the appointment.
There's a little more to thestory than here's a business
card we'll see in 90 or 120 days, whatever it is for you and
you're just completely lost,because you know your support
(11:32):
group is around you.
Everything's going on whileyou're in treatment, but then,
all of a sudden, the music stopsand that's when mentally things
just can compound.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
So, with the survivor fitness you started bringing in
, you realized, hey, this isworking, have this trainer.
So how did you start meetingother people to say you know,
share your idea about?
I think it was a God given idea, Aaron, I don't believe in
coincidences.
I always think everything isfor a reason, Aaron I don't
(12:03):
believe in coincidences.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
I always think everything is for a reason.
Sure, this is so far above methat it definitely was a God
idea.
I just felt like it needed tobe out there and I was working
out at a small gym at the time,and so I just went up and
started talking to the owner andwas like hey, I have an idea.
And told him a little bit aboutmy story.
I'm a cancer survivor.
(12:24):
I really think we could designa program to help cancer
survivors after treatment whenthey need it most.
What do you think of this?
And I mean, I remember my firstidea was like let's get some
data of week one.
Let's work out for four weeks.
We'll get a little bit more,and then it was a 12-week
program.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
But the thing then it was a 12 week program.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
But the thing was it was one-on-one because I and
this was only from the lens ofmyself is I wouldn't have wanted
to work out in a group yetbecause I was still
self-conscious, so we made itone-on-one.
One of my wife's coworkers hiswife was a recent breast cancer
survivor, so she told him aboutwhat we were trying to do.
He said I don't think she'll gofor it, she's not a really a
(13:06):
big gym person.
Well, she, she did go for itand so she had the confidence
encouraged to drive across townto a gym.
She didn't know.
To someone who had an idea, who, if we're looking at it on
paper, wasn't qualified, not atrainer, not a doctor, not a PT,
just a cancer survivor sayinghey there's a gap here.
(13:27):
So we got her involved.
She had a great experience.
So we're like OK, well, we'lltry to find a few more people.
I think we had we had four orfive people the first few months
.
We did it.
And all of a sudden, theystarted, the story started to
rhyme, even though their cancerswere totally different, and so
we were like okay, we're on tosomething.
How do we do this?
Well, a friend of mine was alawyer and was like well, let's
(13:53):
file the 501c3 paperwork.
So we did that.
It was the first time he hadfilled out the paperwork.
We had an idea of the name,kind of the model, and then we
just kept talking about it andso we got going.
It's just the classic startupstory.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
It is, and what I love is the fact that the right
people came to you and thingsreally fell into place for this.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Absolutely.
I mean looking back.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
You just kind of see people being put in the right
places and all of a sudden, herewe are, many years later in the
right places and all of asudden, here we are, many years
later and you know you mentionedsomething a little bit earlier
about you know you're not,weren't qualified, because
you're not a PT, you're not aphysician, you're not a
nutritionist or a personaltrainer, but you do have the
qualifier you've got.
The most important is that thatexperience of being a survivor
(14:41):
and what people need that youcan relate to in life.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
It's definitely it's a club no one wants to be in,
but when you talk to a fellowsurvivor, you always find common
ground and can talk about thehighs and lows in a way that you
just can't if you hadn't beenthere.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
What's your thought on community with cancer
survivors?
I mean, you know, becauserelationships, that's what life
is all about, and when weisolate ourselves we don't have
those relationships.
But especially with cancersurvivors, what could you say to
someone as a cancer survivor,to build community, to get
involved.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
You don't have to be alone, and it's one of those
things I've been guilty ofwanting to be alone but, I,
always feel better talking tosomeone about it and those those
conversations with other cancersurvivors are invaluable.
Um, just to talk about it andmaybe just being around someone
who's been through it, and youdon't even have to talk about it
, you just can you understandcommon ground.
(15:41):
I would say just don't go at italone.
Um.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Right, and so now this has grown.
So how many locations do youhave in Tennessee?
Speaker 2 (15:50):
So we're in three major markets in Tennessee, with
a total of 19 locations.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
And then we also have a virtual component.
And when did this start?
Speaker 2 (15:59):
So it started in late 2012.
And my wife and I were doingthis outside of our full-time
jobs, and then we took a littlebit of a break where we were
helping people if they came tous.
But in the middle of that, mywife gave birth to our twins
that are now seven.
So you can imagine there was alittle bit of break there.
(16:21):
We moved from Nashville toKnoxville and then, in 2018, she
stepped into the executivedirector role full-time.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And Meg is her name right, meg is her name.
Yes, and so she's now full-timeexecutive director, wow Okay,
and so that's just amazing howmuch it's grown in such a little
amount of time.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
So how does someone, if a cancer survivor, contacts
you on your website?
How do you set them up?
What type of program do theyhave to qualify for certain
things, or how does the programwork?
Speaker 2 (16:57):
um what?
Speaker 1 (16:57):
do they get?
What do they get in the program?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
so the the main qualification is you've had
cancer and you're outside ofyour active treatment window.
Now we have many participantsthat are on a maintenance drug
or immunotherapy or other things.
We get their doctor's clearance, but our application is right
on the website.
There's no financialqualifications.
(17:20):
We're a 501c3.
We know there's a stack ofmedical bills because of this
diagnosis and if there's not,there may be a change of
employment, there may be variousother things.
So as a 501c3, we raise fundsto pay for the training for them
.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Okay, Okay.
And how much personal trainingdo they get in a gym like that
one-on-one?
Speaker 2 (17:45):
So 24 sessions over 12 to 14 weeks, and the reason
we give kind of a range there isthere may be a vacation in the
mix, someone may get sick, youmay have a work trip, but we try
to have that 12 to 14 weekwindow to complete the two times
a week with a trainer and thenthat trainer will be helping you
work out one more time on yourown, because we don't want to
(18:07):
just be a boot camp or a fad.
We want you to be done with usand go.
This is part of my routine now,um, I have the time and I have
the confidence which is equallyas important as the time to go
into a gym setting by myself anddo a quality workout.
Or, if you want to get backinto a group class.
You now know the new you and soyou're able to go into a group
(18:29):
setting and keep.
Now know the new you and soyou're able to go into a group
setting and keep yourself safeand have some fun.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
And what about the nutritional counseling?
Because I think that's reallyimportant.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So you'll meet with a dietitian three to five times
and we kind of have that range,because some people need a
little more focus and others,you know we're well ahead of the
curve, even before theirdiagnosis and they're already
back on the right track.
But it's great just to have atrue resource.
You know, like I, was talkingabout earlier.
You can get online and all of asudden you're never going to
(18:59):
touch bread again, or you'reonly going to eat rice, or you
never know, but you can make it,say whatever you like, and so
having a real dietitian to helpyou unravel and stay the course
is very important.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And then what about mental health?
So that type of counseling forthose that might be experiencing
depression or anxiety?
Aaron.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So that is our newest program and we have partnered
with BetterHelp so you can gosee a mental health professional
up to once a week for threemonths.
So, and that's to be decided byyou and your professional.
Some people want to go everyweek, Others, hey, once a month
is great.
I I feel like I'm doing okay,but I do want to check in, so
that is a real customizedcomponent.
(19:43):
But that is up to weekly forthree months.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Wow, you know you've covered the whole person.
You must have talked to a nurseabout developing this because I
mean, we treat peopleholistically.
So share a success story withus, because I look at you and
I'm thinking man, you are asuccess story.
You look amazing, you're happy,you're healthy, you have two
beautiful children, age seven,you're working, still productive
(20:10):
.
So what's a success story you'dlike to share?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Sure, you know.
One that comes to mind was asarcoma survivor.
She had to have muscle removedfrom her leg and even after PT
it was determined she couldn'tbe alone because she was a high
fall risk.
And if she did fall shewouldn't be able because she was
a high fall risk.
And if she did fall, shewouldn't be able to get herself
(20:38):
off the ground and so, sittinghere you know, for our audience,
she was no longer independent.
She was cancer free.
Uh, her PT told her this thisis what we have.
Well, we're, we're veryfortunate that or she you know
that she found us or we foundher, and our trainers worked
with her with what she had.
They didn't take the approachof here's what you don't have.
It was all right.
What do we have?
(20:58):
What do we have today?
What can we do?
And so they worked with her onwhat she had and by the time
they were done working together,she's independent again and we
take that for granted.
But she can get up if she falls, she can go on with her day.
So now her husband is back towork.
He didn't have to stay with her24 hours a day for safety.
So that's a real success story,just getting your daily
(21:24):
activities back, and she's atrue fighter.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
I love that.
That is awesome, and so do youhave any?
I know you said that you have19 locations, right.
Are there any up here inJohnson City, bristol, kingsport
, I know in Knoxville, right?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
At this time we don't have any physical locations up
here.
It's a great market, andsomeday we should be up here.
It's a great market and somedaywe should be up here.
But right now we're Knoxville,nashville and then Chattanooga
was our most recent expansion.
And then we do have virtual,because a lot of people will
drive 30, 45 minutes to go getchemotherapy but that's not
(22:04):
really in the cards to go workout, and so we do have a really
good virtual program to wherewe'll have a trainer meet you
virtually.
You can train at your house.
We'll send up to three piecesof gym equipment to your home
and then you're able to work outthere, and you know we're
seeing great success with that.
Unfortunately, you know, covidchanged us all and so that
became part of it to help peopleand we just stuck it.
(22:28):
You know we've we've been ableto help people in other States
as well, so is there a plan togo to other States, aaron to,
for this program or?
we talk big pipe dreams butreally we want to be able to
service the markets we have to,the best of our abilities and
then we can look at how do wescale outside of Tennessee, but
(22:51):
right now we want to focus on.
There's so many cancersurvivors here in Tennessee that
we need to be able to helpfirst.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
And we need you.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
The health care in Tennessee desperately needs you
and your program.
So this takes money.
So let's talk about we've gotto raise money, right, so tell
us about your fundraisers.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Sure.
So we have several fitnessevents a year and then we have
two survivor soirees and thesoirees are four-course wine
dinners and they always draw agreat crowd and we're excited to
be able to do that again thisyear.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Okay, so how can people get involved to help
Aaron?
Speaker 2 (23:31):
So our website we'd we'd love to have you come visit
our website.
You can donate on our websitebecause, as you said, it does
take money that goes directly toour programs and our
participants.
So donating on our website is ais huge, or or coming to our
events to support us that way.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Okay, and what are the?
There was one, we've got theSoiree, but what about the other
fundraising event?
What's involved in that?
Speaker 2 (23:59):
one, so that one's called Rock the Row.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Rock the Row.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
It's an indoor rowing event.
So your classic rowers, teamsof 10, and it's rowing who can
row 30,000 meters the fastest.
And then in Nashville westarted there they row 42,000
meters, which is a marathon.
Oh, my goodness but it's who canrow that the fastest.
You raise money along the way.
But it's a great event becauseteams of up to 10.
(24:27):
So you get some camaraderiethere, get the competition
flowing again.
It's really a lot of fun andit's not weather permitting.
So we've had a lot of fun doingthat the past couple of years
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Well, that's great.
And then you also have a lot oflibrary resources, right.
So how do you get thosetogether for survivors?
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Sure.
So we try to have everything wecan on our website because we
know some people want to come inand start the program
immediately.
Other want to take a morecasual approach and read about
us, read about other survivors.
So we try to have our website,have all of our resources there.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
So what are some final words of encouragement,
Aaron, that you would like toshare for those listening?
Not only just about thefoundation, but really just
about, you know, being a cancersurvivor.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Being a cancer survivor.
You're not alone.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
You may feel alone.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
You may be, you know, the only one that's gone
through it out of your group offriends.
But, everybody, unfortunately,has been touched by cancer.
Somehow, some way, and justdon't go at it alone.
Look for community, yourfriends that have been your
friends your whole life.
They're going to be there foryou.
Lean on them.
It's okay to be vulnerable, butyou're going to get through it.
(25:45):
Just don't try this alone.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
It doesn't work.
And people do care, people dowant to help.
It's just, we just have to bewilling to share Sure People.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
You know, this is all .
This is all uncharted waters.
People don't know what to do,but they are willing to help.
And so again, just you're,you'll get through it.
Don't, don't go at it alone.
And so again, just you'll getthrough it.
Don't go at it alone, and we'dlove to help when you're done
with treatment.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Absolutely so.
I'm sure you talked earlierabout data collection, so are
you guys collecting that datafor your cancer survivors that
are in your program and theprevious statistics that you've
had?
Are you able to start lookingat that?
Or maybe there's a plan in thefuture to say, hey, by doing
(26:33):
this, look how these statisticsare changing, because one
disturbing statistic for me wasthat 85% of cancer survivors can
commit.
Maybe I've got that statisticwrong about suicide.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Yeah, it's a much greater risk for cancer
survivors on suicide.
We collect statistics.
We've got to be more than justtelling you how good it's going
to make you feel.
We've got to show the data,especially to the medical
community.
So being able to show physicaldata changes in your mental
health really helps us presentto the medical community as a
(27:09):
whole.
So our participants are, youknow, they're the ones going
back to their doctors and saying, hey, I'm feeling better,
everything like that.
But we're collecting them justso we have a standardized
program and we're able to showprogress the same way every time
.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Yeah, that is great and I would hope that these
physicians are excited to hearabout these improvements.
And you know, I could just see,you know the medical
communities I think about UT,knoxville, you know getting, you
know taking this program andbranching out with it to help
(27:46):
cancer survivors.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Sure, it's much needed and unfortunately there
are so many of us out there thatit will take an effort by all
to get this there.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah Well, Aaron, thank you for what you're doing
and I love what you're doing andyou're helping people, and I
think it's just something that'sbeen overlooked and fortunately
, you had to go through that.
So I think God had a somethingthat's been overlooked and
fortunately, you had to gothrough that.
So I think God had a great planfor your life in putting this
(28:16):
together.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Absolutely.
It's an honor and it's veryhumbling to watch our
participants go through theprogram and see them come out on
the other side.
They're the real heroes becausethey show up, they put in the
effort and they get on withtheir life and it is truly
humbling and I'm so proud towatch them, you know, go through
it it's, it's an honor.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Yeah, absolutely Well , aaron, we'll have to have you
back.
Uh, thank you so much for beinghere today and sharing about
this wonderful foundation and,for those of you, please go to
the website and share thatwebsite one more time, aaron.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Absolutely.
It is survivorfitnessorg and wewould love to help anybody
that's listening that needs ourservices.
So I appreciate the opportunityto be here and tell our story
because unfortunately it's it'sa needed story and and someone
listening will need our services.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Yes, and when is the soiree in Knoxville?
Speaker 2 (29:13):
It is September 5th at the press room, so it's
coming up quicker than we think.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
Yes, well, I know Brittany went last year, so
she's so excited about it.
It's just right down her alley,it's right down our alley.
So guys make plans, those whoare listening, and you can
donate right on the website,right?
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Absolutely Okay.
Please make plans and, if youfeel so, led the website will
make it very easy for you.
Okay, we look forward to havingyou all again this year.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Okay, aaron.
Thank you again.
Survivor Fitness everybody.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
This has been Benchmark Happenings, brought to
you by Jonathan Tipton andSteve Reed from Benchmark Home
Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders.
They do home loans in NortheastTennessee and they're not only
licensed in Tennessee butFlorida, georgia, south Carolina
and Virginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(30:05):
If you did make sure to likerate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(30:27):
Benchmark Happenings.
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