DEDICATED TO HELPING OTHERS BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES.

MY JOURNEY

Imagine being 34 years old and your body is ravaged by disease and all conventional cures have been exhausted. You and your family are in a state of emotional trauma and face accepting death or choosing to believe in a miracle.

In October 2015, I was critically ill with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma, the deadly skin cancer and miraculously, was accepted at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta to try revolutionary immunotherapy treatments. A 1,000-patient clinical study had just been approved for Canada, the US and Europe and I was fortunate to be the fifth person in Canada accepted into the study. A long shot at best!

My odds of surviving were very poor. This was my second run-in with the deadliest form of skin cancer. After surgery to remove a mole in 2009, we thought we had it buttoned up and put to bed. A brave team of researchers and oncologists at the Cross Cancer Clinic started the experimental cancer fighting immunotherapy when I had 4 weeks to live, my body was riddled with tumours and I was in critical condition with life-threatening amounts of fluid being drained from my chest cavity twice daily. It was a moment-to-moment and day-by-day all-out effort by an incredible team to balance my system to give the treatment time to work.

From bedridden to snowmobiling within 12 weeks, to training for a 240-km cycling journey 5 months into treatment to raise funds for cancer research, my experience reinforced my passion for wellness, fitness and helping others. Exercise was important medicine for me in the healing journey, both physically and mentally. There were times in my illness that I couldn’t walk more than 5 steps. As I began to heal, small fitness goals kept me focussed on my ultimate recovery goal.

I truly experienced a miraculous recovery with the tremendous love and support of family and friends, the gift of experimental therapy and a belief in fitness and movement as medicine.

MY RECOVERY

Once I could start walking, I took a few more steps every day. Once I built up my strength, I began my own exercise program. I desperately wanted to get back out on my snowmobile because that is my passion!!! I had lost about 50 pounds, had little muscle mass and very low energy. I would go down to my garage every day and practice lifting one ski and trying to start my machine, but was just not strong enough. Every day I was home I would do this and eventually I became stronger and stronger and was out doing things I loved again! I am an avid snowmobiler, dirt biker, hiker, backpacker and mountaineer who loves camping, road cycling, mountain biking and simply the feeling of wellness that comes with all forms of movement.

RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER

One day, while I was at treatment in the Cross Cancer Centre, I saw a brochure for The Ride to Conquer Cancer. I researched it and thought, why not challenge myself? This was a 240-km bike ride from Vancouver to Seattle on a road bike that I had never used before! I thought, “It can’t be that hard!” (6 months prior I was given 4 weeks to live). I was still in treatment and thought, “I am going to do this!” Soon after I created a team called The Melanoma Warriors! I was determined to cycle that 240 kms even if it was by myself!

So I rode the 240 kms in 2016 during treatment, surrounded by my incredible teammates, family and friends. It was tough but by 2017 it got easier. Over two years our small team raised over $50,000 towards immunotherapy research.

NEXT STEPS – JOIN ME ON A NEW JOURNEY!!

I am passionate about helping others achieve a higher level of wellness. I am excited to do my part to help others prevent a similar experience to mine or improve their experience while going through an illness. Physical movement is key to improving one’s outlook on life not just physically but also mentally. It releases positive endorphins into the body and fills the body with oxygenated blood. I am living proof – Exercise is Medicine!

Join me as I help you create a healthier lifestyle in an enjoyable way. Your wellness journey is in your hands. Like me, you can take just one step at a time. I am excited to have chosen this new path to help others achieve better health by incorporating wellness and fitness into their lives. Let’s make this fun!!!