October 2, 2024 was my last dose of chemo. Ringing that bell with my family and friends there to watch was such an amazing feeling. The very next day I flew to Nashville for StrongMompalooza! I’d been looking forward to this event since I joined this amazing group in January of 2024. There was no way I was going to let cancer take this away from me.
When I arrived on Thursday morning I met up with a group of other Strong moms and we went sight seeing. It was the first time I’d met any of these women in person, but it was like we’d known each other forever! We had so much fun and I walked more than I had in months. The event started in earnest Friday morning and I received so many hugs, it was amazing!! The sessions were so uplifting and awesome, and we did so much team building and bonding. It was so wonderful to meet moms from all walks of life, we all bonded over our shared experiences, and we all have our insecurities and negative self-talk that we are working on overcoming. I’ve never felt so supported, understood, and loved for who and what I am.
On Saturday we were all split into teams of about 8 or so women. We took 2 coach buses out to a beautiful park with a large grassy area, it was about 8 am so the grass was full of dew. Coach Nicole was our team captain and she was so amazing. I told her I didn’t want to hold our team back and she told me not to worry, she had my back and encouraged me to just do what I could. Even if it was just cheering on my team. You see the competition was completing workout stations, and the team that completed the most won. The competition was divided into 2 twenty minute sessions. I thought “what the heck, I’ll give it a try”. It took me the full 20 minutes but I completed the whole circuit. Most of my teammates completed 3 or more times, but they all cheered for me and it felt so good. I had no idea I was capable of that. I wasn’t able to do the second 20 minute sessions, but that was okay.
I learned so much about myself from this amazing weekend surrounded by people who uplifted and accepted not only me, but each other. And helping each other see how much potential we all have, and striving for it. The highlight of my Saturday was when I stopped to get a drink and Lauren Bay Regula, asked me if I was okay and then if we could take a picture together. Here was a 3 time Olympian telling me I’m a badass and wanting a picture. I’m so grateful to her and her husband for creating this amazing program!
It was so amazing to be more than just my cancer diagnosis. I was and am a StrongMom!
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