When all in life seems to be going well, sometimes a traumatic twist occurs that could change everything. Last November, what had started as a small bump on one side of my neck, developed into numerous bumps and swelling. After a series of questions, the ear, nose, and throat specialist looked at me and said, “I think you have cancer.” Two days later I discovered that I was carrying around one 15cm tumor in my chest, along with 30 small tumors. The diagnosis was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. My doctor believed that the cancer could have been growing for over two years.

Soon after, I would start the first, out of what would be eight months of Chemotherapy. I am a teacher, and cut down to half days at school. As an elementary health and physical education teacher, I spent my days teaching kids about ways to prevent cancer and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. My role soon changed to teaching students about the disease. I told my story and the students were very curious. How did you get it? Will your hair fall out? Will you die?

My first few months of Chemotherapy were hard, but I really took care of myself. My days consisted of working until noon, taking a 3-4 hour nap, and then exercising. Yes, I did exercise the ENTIRE way through treatment and yes, I slept that much. My body needed it. My doctor was very big on leading my life as normally as possible. If I would have had a doctor who told me to not exercise, I would have went crazy and my recovery would not have gone as smoothly.

During chemotherapy, I started working more closely with who I consider to be the best figure and fitness preparation team in the world. Cathy and her team at Cathy Savage Fitness not only helped me maintain my body, but do it in an extremely healthy way. They added things in and took things out of my diet to stay as healthy as possible. The entire time I had the itch to get back on stage.

Like many people diagnosed with cancer, I thought “Why Me?” I have been active my entire life. At the time I was diagnosed, I was competing at the national level doing fitness and figure competitions and previously, I had been a college athlete. Cancer made me reflect a lot on what people would remember me for. As I see it, when bad things happen in life you can react one of two ways. You can feel sorry for yourself, lie on the couch, and cry for days, weeks, or months. Otherwise, I could continue to live my life to the fullest. I made sure to continually challenge and set goals for myself. I have done a lot of reflection on what truly makes me happy in life.

I am more passionate today about physical fitness than ever! Four weeks after I was told I was in remission, I placed 2nd place at a Fitness America regional figure show. The following week, I did an INBF pro figure qualifier and placed 1st in the short class. As my journey goes on, I continue to set bigger and better goals for myself. I have used my past experiences as motivation and to grow and persevere both as a competitor and as an individual. I just keep taking in this beautiful life day by day and living it to the fullest.

This has been one incredible year for me, placing 6th at Fitness Universe, top 10 Bikini Universe, 3rd at Fitness America and 4th in Bikini America! To finish off the year, I was very honored to be chosen as one of the SOS Model Winner's. I have been working with the SOS program for two years now going on three, and I am amazed at the changes in my physique, changes as a competitor and as a person.

In 2006, I made a plan and was determined to stay on track and not gain the "Freshman 15", in the off-season, which has happened to me once or twice before :). From then on I was diligent in being exact with my nutrition plan, following the SOS workout plans week by week, posing and routine practice, weekly check ins with pictures and phone calls with Jodi and Cathy. With the whole team and the SOS program: Cathy coming up with a "vision" for me with my Dream Girls routine, her and Paula's fabulous choreography, Jodi, up late at night, racking her brains about how she wanted to "kill" me and lean me out for a show, Paula's beautiful make up applications, I made it to the top and was the best that I could be! The most important of it all was their confidence they instilled in me to never give up and reach for my dreams.

With this amazing journey, I have so much self-confidence, determination, and motivation that carries over to all aspects of my life, my friends, family and patients with whom I spend most time with

.In this sport, there is so much emphasis on the outward appearance, but in the end, it is all about inner beauty, how one feels about herself, and how one treats others. When you have those qualities, I feel you have then found a true winner!

Thank you to Cathy, Jodi, Paula and all of the Savage Girls for supporting me. I love you all!!
~Amber

I feel as though my story is a fairly familiar one. Growing up I never had an issue with weight. I was relatively athletic staying active all the time. I played soccer from age 8 to 22. My metabolism was high. I could eat and eat and not worry about a thing. In 1993 I worked at a gym in downtown Boston. I had my BF tested by a friend. At 5.7” I was 123 lbs and 22%. The PT’s told me I was fat. I felt like, “what are you talking about?”

It was after when I moved out on my own that I let things go. If I wasn’t working two jobs to make ends meet, I was working long hours at one. I let the stress of work and personal relationships take over which is when I realized I was a social and emotional eater. Not only did I eat junk when I was having a bad day but I’d go and have an ice cream and/or eat an order of fries with my friend when she was having a bad day too. I was very good at absorbing other people’s stress. My weight would slowly get heavier and for some reason even though I would get frustrated, I’d just buy bigger clothes. “I would deal with the diet tomorrow.” After all, I wasn’t always this way. I could get it back down if I really wanted to, right? Christmas of 2001 I was up to 205 lbs. I cried. I was going to get married in July of 2002 so I did a fat burner. By the time my wedding came around I was a 175lb ephedrine monster. After the wedding I stopped the FB and went up to 195lbs within 6 months. I was beyond depressed. I was desperate. For the next three years I tried the following diets with obviously no lasting results:

Slim Fast
The Zone
Fat Flush
Michael Thurmond’s 6-day Plan
New York Body Plan
South Beach

In 2006 I was at my wits end. I was back up to 195 after yoyo dieting up the wazoo. I had hit “the wall” and was ready for change. I knew that I had to do something now. I had recently started reading Oxygen and read about a fitness camp that took place at one of the airport hotels near me. “Oh this sounds interesting, but who the heck is Cathy Savage?” (Obviously I’ve been living under a rock. A big fat one up until this point.)

July 2006 is when everything started falling into place. I restarted the gym membership that I let lapse time and time again. I did cardio for two months and lost 15lbs but I knew I would never get any further on my own so I hired a trainer. Over the next few months I started learning more about Cathy and her organization. I was working with the trainer and the weight started coming off. In November I read that Cathy was having a camp in February. I told my husband that I wanted to go. He told me that if I was going to be exercising all day each day for a full weekend maybe I should wait until after I trained a little more. So I trained hard for the next three months and in February she posted that there was going to be a summer camp June 29th –July 1st. June 30th would be my 37th birthday. I signed myself up right away.

Before the camp on April 21st there was an open house at CSF that I wanted to attend. By this time I had lost almost 35lbs and weighed 161. I was so scared. I drove down to Norwood not knowing what to expect. I walked in and Cathy and Paula were sitting on the floor critiquing a competitor. Cathy came right up to meet me. I was amazed! This was Cathy Savage! The person from the magazine articles and glamorous website-in person! I joined SPT that week and have never looked back. With the unbelievable support and coaching from Cathy and Jodi I made it to stage on October 13th 2007 (138.5lbs, 18.9%BF).

Being local has given me the opportunity to participate in many activities and network with other teammates. I can’t stress how important attending camp and reaching out on the forum has been for me and can be. The friendships you make at CSF are immeasurable beyond belief.

I look forward to growing stronger as an athlete and continuing my journey to my first fitness competition this fall. I am grateful for the opportunity that being a part of Cathy Savage Fitness has given me.

Jolene