Battling breast cancer does not mean the treatment is finished. Survivors who face such a life of hardship also battle anxiety and often do things that can help prevent a recurrence.
61-year-old breast cancer survivor Louise Adams has always walked for exercise. Her daughter, Sherry Woodson-Ringer, encouraged her to do more exercise after she survived her second bout with breast cancer.
Sherry and business partner Mike Winkfield started a Raleigh fitness studio called “Way of Living Fit” that offers free fitness classes to survivors of breast cancer, such as Adams.
Woodson-Ringer helped her mother organize their fundraising team called “Race for the Cure” and their initiative has inspired many breast cancer survivors.
Adams said, “I thought, OK, let me try it… and I’ve been coming ever since.”
“Our business allowed them to come, you know, free of charge and just work out. Fellowship, fitness, everything,” said Woodson-Ringer.
The fitness studio offers plenty of variety. Some participants undergo a fast-paced “boot-camp” approach where they move quickly through exercise stations.
Winkfield said, “We keep it functional — so that it’s easy for any fitness level. Anybody who wants to try it can do it.”
55-year-old Yvette Franklin, a breast cancer survivor, was not frightened by the challenge. Franklin said, “No challenge is one that I don’t feel like I can overcome. Because dealing with breast cancer was a hard challenge.”
Woodson-Ringer said, “To be able to come in here and have a group of people that are supportive of you — and cheering you on — is awesome.” You can visit the Way of Living Fit website to find more information about the free fitness classes offered to breast cancer survivors.
