We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Leonard and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andrea, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
There are over 50 million cancer survivors worldwide! Speaking firsthand as a 38-year cancer survivor myself, very little information or assistance is provided once you have completed your surgery and treatment. Following cancer surgery and treatment, many patients find themselves unable to regain the full use of their arm/shoulder, have restricted motion due to scar tissue and adhesions, suffer from muscle imbalances that cause pain, alterations in mobility, and can lead to future joint degeneration, and are at an elevated risk for comorbidities such as lymphedema, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and future cancers.
I created the Cancer Exercise Training Institute in 2004 to educate health and fitness professionals around the world to become Cancer Exercise Specialists(R) and EMPOWER cancer patients and survivors with individually prescribes, safe, and effective exercise programming during treatment, immediate recovery, and long-term survivorship. We have trained over 16,000 professionals in over 50 countries. Cancer can strip you of everything; your body parts, self-esteem, self-confidence, hair, job, family, ability to perform activities of daily living and activities that you love to do, and so much more. CETI Cancer Exercise Specialists(R) can help patients and survivors regain control over their minds and their bodies while reducing the risk for comorbidities and second cancers.
What should our readers know about your business?
The Cancer Exercise Training Institute is considered the gold standard in oncology exercise training and has trained more health and fitness professionals worldwide to become Cancer Exercise Specialists(R) than any other organization. We are truly pioneers in this field and have paved the way for others to follow. My journey began in 1996 when I set out to write “Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors” with the help of the chiefs of breast surgery at Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and George Washington University Hospitals. From there, I started a non-profit, The Breast Cancer Survivors Foundation, in 2000. As I mentioned previously, I later realized that the need went beyond breast cancer, and I needed to help people with all types of cancer.
As a Certified Personal Trainer with no medical background, it was an uphill battle to prove myself to the world. I sought the assistance of medical professionals from around the world who would expertly assist me in developing the coursework that would later become The Cancer Exercise Specialist(R) Advanced Qualification. The other challenge was that in the late 90s, there was very little information or research to support the benefit of exercise for cancer prevention, during treatment, and throughout the recovery process. We now have hundreds of randomized controlled trials and studies that support these facts, as well as the fact that exercise is linked to lower recurrences with several cancers.
Many doors slammed in my face, and tears were shed. I wanted to quit on several occasions, but there was always something pulling me back. I would receive emails from cancer patients and survivors telling me how my work had changed their lives and that I was helping people worldwide without even realizing it. It’s hard to walk away from that, so I persisted until I achieved success.
I later partnered with premier fitness organizations like the American Council on Exercise, The National Federation of Personal Trainers, The Functional Aging Institute, and IDEA Fitness, as well as Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals. I also was able to offer continuing education credits for fitness professionals worldwide.
The greatest lesson that I learned is that NOTHING good in life comes EASY. You must believe in yourself and your mission and be willing to overcome challenges and roadblocks, financial and personal strain, and dedicate your time towards fulfilling your dream or mission. Even when you feel like quitting, remember your WHY and keep on keeping on. I often think to myself that at the end of my life, when I look at my accomplishments, what will I have left behind? I know that I have truly made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people worldwide and that little ‘ol me built an international business all by myself with no financial assistance or donations, no experience or specific education in this field, and nothing but my personal, ethical, and moral obligation to keep me going.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I split my time between Portland, OR, and Avon, CO. I am a mountain girl and love the snow and snowboarding. I would encourage them to fly into Eagle airport to avoid the time and traffic, as well as white-knuckle driving from Denver. We would spend the day shredding the Back Bowls of Vail, taking a lunch break at the Red Lion or Garfinkels. After our thighs were burning and we couldn’t do another run, we would drop in at Lionshead and do Apres Ski at the Vail Chophouse, listening to the infamous Phil Long. From there, back to the condo for a soak in the hot tub and maybe a little cat nap in front of the fire. Then we rally and get ready for a great evening. We might begin with a sensational dinner at Sweet Basil in Vail Village, or maybe we would go casual and have the BEST pizza at Vendetta’s. Next is the Whiskey Bar for some great spirits and live music. If we are still going, we could head over to Pepis or the Red Lion for drinks, live music, and maybe even dancing.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I must dedicate my efforts and success to my parents, Edie and Morton Beres. My mom was the initial inspiration for my book “Essential Exercises for Breast Cancer Survivors,” written after her 2nd breast cancer diagnosis. My father was then diagnosed with prostate and bladder cancer, and I realized there was an even bigger need than I had originally imagined. Watching both of my parents suffer was the catalyst for creating the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. I saw the unnecessary suffering that they both endured due to a lack of education and information. I knew I could not personally assist the millions of patients and survivors worldwide, so I set out to create an “army” of Cancer Exercise Specialists(R) to assist me in my mission. Personally, exercise was my salvation after a thyroid cancer diagnosis at the age of 18. I can honestly say that exercise save my life!
Website: www.thecancerspecialist.com
Instagram: CETI.Andrea
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-leonard-2774916/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CancerExercise
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cancerspecialist
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEVXx8pm6ASmm7Ag-SmL0Bg
Other: CETI.teachable.com
