Everyone who battles cancer is a fighter. Then, there are warriors like Callista.
Cancer therapy is hard, regardless of age or physical capabilities. While we are appreciative for the ways in which radiation and chemotherapy treatment actively combat cancer, we likewise recognise the debilitating effects they may have on the body. Callista is a powerful example of someone who knows the difficult cost of dealing with cancer but found greater strength through her decision to rebuild one day, one step at a time.
Callista was diagnosed with bladder cancer in her mid fifties and had surgery to replace her bladder with a neobladder.
“I’ve been fighting cancer for almost 8 years, it was a painful memory that I don’t want to recall. I have pains all over my body, can’t be independent, and relied on machines to keep me alive.”
“It was a miracle that I actually survived the treatments and surgeries. That was a turning point for me to realize, life is short and you’re gonna have to make it more meaningful”
After surviving bladder cancer, Callista and her husband decided to relocate to Malaysia and start a new life for both of them.
Unfortunately, an incident happened in Callista’s life where she lost her husband after a few years since the relocation. As a retired foreigner in the small town of Melaka, Callista was all alone again.
“Thankfully I have always been a positive individual, when there are difficulties, I face them and deal with them.”
“I know staying at home for the rest of my life is not going to help me in any aspect of my life, I need to step out and do something for myself.”
Callista has a friend from Belgium who is currently training with MOVE under Coach Glen, who recommended her to experience personal training. Without hesitation, Callista made a decision to get started with Coach Glen.
“Training with Glen is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“He has taught me fitness knowledge, he also set goals for me to rebuild my strength, at some point, these goals became my life purpose.”
At the beginning of the journey, Coach Glen has already realised that Callista is a powerful woman. She is always willing to listen, follow and take up the challenge.
A normal routine of strength training isn’t really enough for her. She has always been pushing her limits and striving for greater. Coach Glen even brought her to participate in fitness challenges like Spartan competitions and marathons.
Amazingly, at the age of 60, Callista managed to hit her deadlift PR of 100kg.
“Why did you choose to know more about fitness?”
“If life is all about surviving, you are not living your life, young woman. The purpose is what life is about.”
Coach Glen tells us,
“She is the client that I am most proud of. During the first few training sessions, she was gasping, drenching in sweat and had to stop the workout for a while to drain the fluid in her neobladder, yet returning to the session and saying: “Come on Glen! What’s next, I am still fresh! After years of training with her, she’s still the same highly-motivated individual with non-ending goals to achieve.”
We believe that fitness didn’t change her life, but has helped her rediscover her life.
