I first met Kim the very first time she walked through the doors of Innovative Fitness. It was an afternoon of firsts. It was probably the first time she had set foot in a gym. It was most definitely the first time she had ever actually thought of joining one. It was my first time delivering a consultation to a cancer survivor. So, plenty of firsts all around.
Our conversation that day was truly inspiring to me. Here was a woman who had gone through SO much. She battled with breast cancer, underwent chemo, radiation, a mastectomy, the whole ugly bit. She had come out on top and was now stepping waaaaaay outside her comfort zone to transcend into a healthier lifestyle. I don’t know if her goal in that moment was to become healthy enough to survive another battle with cancer. Or if that was really what she was anticipating. What I took from our conversation that day was that she was given another chance at life and she was going to do everything she could to make sure it stuck.
I will never forget the last things she asked me that day. She had been so brave by stepping out on this limb, into uncharted territory, to initiate Project Kim 2.0; but she couldn’t help herself from squeaking out this little moment of panic.
“So, I sign up for 6 months, then what?” Another first, I had never been asked this before.
“Then you keep going.” I said. Not sure if this would satisfy her inquiry or not. But I thought I’d be blunt.
“So, I’m going to be doing this forever?” I’m not sure if I actually let out a mini snort right then or not. I don’t think so. But my brain was having a laughing attack.
“We have members who have been coming here for 20 years.” I said. Hoping to reassure her that exercising was a normal thing that humans do.
“Okay… “ she said, totally unconvinced. “I’ll see you tomorrow then!” No doubt, her uncensored subtitles would have read, “Jesus Christ, I’m gunna die. Here goes nothing... “
- Ben
Professional Training Coach
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