“Courage Ride!” with Charity Wolf - Together We Are Stronger!

TOGETHER, The Sheboygan County Cancer CareFund’s Survive, Thrive & Be Fit Program along with the LIVESTONG at theYMCA Program Are Making Sheboygan County Cancer Survivors STRONGER!

I love the snyergy that exists within our Local Cancer Community! For example…

A while back I received a call from Cindy Daane, a local cancer survivor who (like many others) is involved in SCCCF’s Survive, Thrive & Be Fit program as well as the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. “I have a new spinning coach at the YMCA,” Cindy informed me. “Her name is Charity Wolf and she offered a spinning class last week that was amazing and inspiring for cancer survivors!”

I shared this information with Carrie Green and Denice Nugent who run the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. Shortly thereafter, the Sheboygan YMCA offered a “Courage Ride” for LIVESTRONG and Survive, Thrive & Be Fit survivor-athletes!

What a ride!

Charity, a certified indoor cycle instructor since 2012, explains, “I love the format because it allows for all fitness levels to come together into one room and experience the highs and lows of the music, the ride, the energy, the intensity, and leave feeling better than when you arrived.”

Over the years, Charity has developed countless playlists and ride profiles. “But every so often I'm inspired to curate a specific ride for a specific group of people,” Charity explains. “After my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, I knew I wanted to create a fitness experience that inspired courage instead of fear. That's when the Courage Ride was born. It’s a 45-minute cycling experience that includes positive affirmations, songs with uplifting lyrics, and an opportunity to honor those who lost their battle with cancer.”

Here are a few powerful messages from Charity’s “Courage Ride”:

"Courage is the willingness to take action in spite of fear."

"You can still be scared, hesitant, nervous. It's about embracing the fear and taking action regardless. Courage allows us to take that first step."

"Hope is wishing something will happen. Faith is believing something will happen. Courage is making something happen."

Thanks to all those who made this happen: Cindy, Charity, Carrie, Denice, and all who took part in the “Courage Ride”! If this is something you’d like to see repeated, please let us know. In the meantime, consider joining us at a “TOGETHERSTRONGER” rowing session on Thursday, November 21st! This is open to ALL AREA CANCER PATIENTS/SURVIVORS (whether you have participated in LIVESTRONG or ST&BF or not)!

As I think most who are involved in either LIVESTRONG or Survive, Thrive & Be Fit may tell you, it’s not so much WHAT WE DO or HOW WE MOVE OUR BODIES… It’s WHY WE DO IT, and WHO WE DO IT WITH!

Physical activity has always been an important aspect of my life, although the reason(s) for that have changed and evolved over the years. Of course, I value and appreciate the many benefits that physical activity brings to my body, my mind, my heart, and my spirit… but as an almost 35-year cancer survivor, it is also a way to celebrate my aliveness and very much a way to honor those who are no longer with us! Like many long-term cancer survivors, I deal with survivor guilt. Why am I still here when others are not? I don’t know the answer to that question… but working out, especially with other cancer patients/survivors, helps me work it out!

I hope to see you on the 21st!!!