Meet Our FHITspiration: Brande

Meet Brande, a recent addition to the FHIT family who has become a Fhitting Room regular. New to the neighborhood, Brande found Fhitting Room through a friend of a friend and the rest fell into place. We’re celebrating Brande’s 5 year milestone anniversary of being cancer free (!!) and her inspiring approach to fitness below.

Please tell us a little about your fitness journey.
I was diagnosed in 2021 with DCIS, a non-invasive, stage 0 cancer. The mammogram I had late in 2020 missed it entirely because I had very dense breast tissue. I had pushed for supplemental imaging between my mammograms, and it’s a good thing I did – the MRI a few months later is what picked up the tiny lump in my left breast. I wanted to know for sure if there were any other cancer cells lurking in my breasts, and I wanted to forgo the radiation and hormone therapy that is the standard of care for DCIS. That’s why I opted for a complete mastectomy without breast reconstruction, a procedure known as aesthetic flat closure. Because no additional cancer was found in my breast tissue or lymph nodes, no additional treatment was needed. I was so lucky!

While skipping reconstruction was not presented to me by my doctors, I researched on my own and asked for it. I wanted a “one and done” surgery with none of the health risks and hassles associated with breast implants. And, more than anything, I wanted to get back to my active life as quickly as possible. Going flat may not be right for everyone, and each woman should make the best choice for herself. I advocate for it because it should be presented as an equally viable option right along with reconstruction. Femininity and beauty aren’t tied to our breasts or any other physical attribute – it’s a state of mind! 

You recently celebrated a big milestone – five years cancer free! How does it feel? 
Each and every year that goes by with no cancer detected is special for me. Five years is especially significant because they basically turn you loose, and I don’t need annual checks anymore. Honestly, that scares me a little, so I’ll probably keep doing them. I worry about cancer still, but there are many days when I don’t think about it at all anymore. It may sound odd, but I am grateful that I had an “easy” cancer, and that it changed my entire life. I live my life more intentionally than ever before, I connected with so many amazing women who are now lifelong friends, and in partnership with the American Cancer Society, I have been able to help with campaigns that educate women on many issues surrounding breast cancer. I have a pretty charmed life, and it’s not despite the cancer, it’s because of it.  

What motivates you to stay active? 
I began working out seriously years before my diagnosis because I needed to get in shape. I experienced breast cancer in a stronger, fitter body than I’d ever had when I was younger, and that was a big reason why my recovery from surgery was so easy. Now, a big motivator is all the research around fitness and cancer recurrence. Regular intense exercise decreases your risk of getting breast cancer in the first place, and it lowers the chance of recurrence significantly. I am approaching menopause, and I know the importance of maintaining muscle mass and bone density as I age. I value living independently and taking care of myself, and I need my body to keep up with my full life! 

How did you find Fhitting Room?
I moved to the neighborhood, and I needed a new “gym home.” I found out about Fhitting Room from a friend of a friend who’s been coming here for years! It was a bonus that it’s right around the corner from my building – super convenient. 

Why is training at Fhitting Room important to you? 
Training at Fhitting Room is important to me because every workout is a celebration of what my body is capable of. When I was diagnosed, I knew I wasn’t going to die from stage 0 cancer, but I was afraid of how my life might change. I worried I may have physical limitations and not be able to train the way I want. Each workout reminds me that working out isn’t a dreaded chore – it is a privilege that not everyone can enjoy!

What have you learned from taking class at Fhitting Room? 
Since my diagnosis, I have hit other speed bumps like a torn gluteal tendon that caused me great hip and back pain. Classes at Fhitting Room are scalable, and the coaches helped me modify movements so I could keep going. I get what I need for myself on a given day from my workout. I don’t worry anymore about what others in the class are doing, and I don’t get disappointed if a particular movement isn’t working for me, I just find something that does. 

Have you hit any goals/tried something new in class that you’re proud of?
After my hip injury and months of physical therapy, it was a huge win for me when I was able to deadlift with a heavy bell again. I also had to relearn proper hip hinge form so I could safely swing without pain. Now, those movements feel great!

Are there any fitness or life goals that you’re working towards that training at Fhitting Room helps with? 
I’d like to get back to feeling really confident lifting heavy like I used to before my hip and back injury. I’m feeling good about my progress in that area. One life goal I have since moving to the UWS is building a social community. My old CrossFit box was great for that, and I miss it. I knew that joining Fhitting Room would help me achieve that much better than going to a big box gym and working out alone. It’s nice seeing a lot of the same people several times a week. 

Anything else you’d like to share? 
The reason I share my story so much is because I want to educate other people, and it helps me know my breast cancer wasn’t in vain. I encourage any woman who has been told they have dense breasts (and it’s very common) to push their care team for supplemental imaging in between mammograms. Mammos are just not enough sometimes. I also wish I’d known when I was younger about alcohol as a significant breast cancer risk factor. You hear so much about family history, and you can’t control that. There are so many other risk factors related to lifestyle, and you can control those. Lots of research has confirmed that drinking booze increases the risk of so many cancers, including in the breasts. I still enjoy a fancy cocktail once in a while, but I do it intentionally and with full knowledge of its risk to my health. I encourage others to learn about this, too and choose for themselves. 

I learned from both cancer and my injuries that fitness is a lifelong pursuit, and if you are doing it for reasons that align with your intrinsic values, it becomes easier. You will have setbacks and have to take time off from your normal routine occasionally. But, there is almost always something you can do. It’s more important to just show up to move than to focus on perfection and gains all the time. 

Feeling inspired? Book your next class here!