Hello everyone,
In this month of Pink October , dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, we wanted to highlight the inspiring journey of Naomi, one of our very first clients. A passionate sportswoman and resident of Nice, Naomi has always found in sport a way to escape and surpass herself. But after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, she had to rethink her sporting practice while remaining faithful to her love for physical activity.
Now in remission, Naomi agreed to answer our questions and share with you her journey, the challenges she overcame, and how sport helped her through it all. Her story is a message of hope and resilience, just like what Pink October represents.
Can you tell us about your relationship with sport before your diagnosis? What role did it play in your daily life?
Naomi: " Sports have been an integral part of my life for a little over 10 years. I was one of those people who couldn't live without them. (And I still am). For me, sports were a way to escape, to push myself, and to relieve stress."
What sports activities did you practice most often? Was it more for fun, competition, or for your own well-being?
Naomi: “Cycling, running, and swimming (but I don’t know if you can really count that last one, lol 😅 ). It was a bit of all three: for fun, for competition, even if the latter has become more secondary in recent years, and above all for my well-being.”
Has sport always been important to you, and why?
Naomi: "Yes, especially in the last 10 years. Exercise was a revelation when I started getting serious about it. I've always had insecurities, and exercise has definitely helped me feel better about my body. It's allowed me to challenge myself and push myself further."
How did you react to the cancer diagnosis? How did it affect your sports practice?
Naomi: "You'll probably think I'm crazy, but I had this feeling that the lump I felt was cancer. I had a feeling, but I held out a slim hope that it wasn't that... So, when the diagnosis came, I collapsed, mentally and physically. It was as if the sky was falling on my head. At that time, I was making good progress in sports, especially cycling. I knew that the treatments would disrupt my practice, but I couldn't yet measure the extent of the difficulties that awaited me. So I tried not to worry too much and to do sports for fun during the three weeks between the diagnosis and the start of chemotherapy."
Were you able to continue exercising during your treatment? And if so, what adjustments did you have to make?
Naomi: "Yes, my entire medical team encouraged me to continue exercising, but I had to adapt my practice. Chemotherapy was difficult for me, especially the first part. For two months, I could only do low-intensity sports, which my body allowed me to do. Then, with the help of my coach, we reintroduced more specific sessions. But the key was to listen to my body: if I was too tired, I would go jogging or do a light bike ride. After my chemotherapy, I had a mastectomy and then I had to stop all physical activity for two months. I went walking every morning and started Pilates at home."
Did exercise help you get through this difficult time, both physically and mentally? Did you feel a particular sense of comfort in participating in physical activity?
Naomi: “A thousand times yes. Physically, exercise helped me cope better with the treatments, but more importantly, mentally, it helped me cope. During my treatment, I felt like my life was slipping away from me, and exercise, even at a low intensity, was one of the only things I still had some control over. It allowed me to reconnect with my body and not feel completely powerless. When I had to stop exercising after my mastectomy, I had a mini-breakdown. Exercise gave me a semblance of control over my body, and not doing it anymore had a profound effect on me.”
Have you been supported by health professionals to adjust your sports practice?
Naomi: "No, I didn't feel the need for support from health professionals. I knew my body and my limits well. I had complete confidence in my coach to adapt my workouts. But if I had wanted to, I could have been supported."
How have you gotten back into sport since finishing your treatments?
Naomi: "I'd like to say I'm back to normal, but that's not entirely true. I'm on hormone therapy, which causes side effects like joint pain. It's stopping me from running the way I'd like. But I've gotten back on the bike and started CrossFit, doing 4-5 sessions a week. It's been hard to get back into it; my body isn't responding the way it used to, which is frustrating. But I know it takes time to get back to my old form."
Has sport influenced your outlook on life and how you handle challenges? What message would you like to convey to other women going through a similar ordeal?
Naomi: “All my years of exercise have allowed me to develop a strong mentality and resilience, and I believe this has helped me get through this ordeal. Exercise has a positive impact on both the body and the mind. My medical teams have always encouraged me to continue physical activity, even during treatments, to reduce side effects and improve mental well-being. My main advice would be to listen to your body and not put pressure on yourself. Rediscovering the joy of movement is essential, and getting support from a coach can be an excellent idea for a smooth return to exercise.”
What are your sporting or personal plans for the future now that you are in remission?
Naomi: "A friend and I had planned to do the 2024 stage of the Tour together, but cancer changed those plans. Why not the 2025 stage of the Tour? I'd also like to train for a marathon, but for now, my treatments are preventing me from running as much as I'd like. Finally, I'd really like to do a bike road trip next summer."
A huge thank you to Naomi for sharing her story with such honesty and courage. Her journey is truly inspiring, and we admire how she has found the strength to overcome the most difficult times through sport. We are delighted to see her in recovery and continuing to set new sporting challenges!
Naomi, we wish you all the best for the future and we really look forward to following your next adventures, whether it's on the roads by bike or maybe even on the starting line of a marathon... 💗
