I’m 33 years old, I’m married, and I’m a Navy veteran. Being in the military, I was in pretty good shape but didn’t have healthy eating habits. My husband is 34 years old and WAS in pretty good shape when he was young, but after he got out of the Navy, he “let himself go”. He wasn’t very health conscious until about 2 1/2 Years ago when he was first diagnosed with cancer. That’s when we realized that a serious lifestyle change was in order.

A little more info about my hubby and the cancer. He was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer in early 2012. The affected area was small, but unfortunately, hard to access. The process involved removing all of his teeth, removing about 75% of his tongue, rebuilding a new tongue out of his arm tissue, a skin graph from his left thigh to replace his missing tissue from his right arm, then enduring 10 weeks of radiation and chemo. After the radiation and chemo, he had dropped almost 80 pounds and was still eating through a feeding tube. His low was 142 lbs. at 5’11”. Having a hard time putting on any weight, he decided to hit the gym. After about 6 months of him going to the gym, he was up almost 30 lbs. and for the first time in almost 10 years, he was in better shape than I was, so that’s when my fitness goals became a lifestyle.

My husband challenged me to join him in doing the 2014 Tough Mudder event in Houston to celebrate his 2 year anniversary of being cancer free. He said that was what he wanted for his birthday. I really wanted to do it, so I knew I needed a serious game plan. I began bouncing around the interwebs looking for workout plans and routines to help me on my quest. I found Zuzka after trying a few “other” programs, and I hadn’t seen the results I wanted or met my any of my fitness goals.

Tough Mudder was Nov. 2 2014. I had about 4 months to prepare and even though I was working out regularly, I really needed that extra push. I joined Zuzka’s ZGYM and for the first time, I was beginning to see the results I’ve wanted! Where other high intensity fitness programs lacked, (too much time, not enough effectiveness or variety) Zuzka’s ZGYM is on point!! I recall times when my husband and I were at the gym, he would stop and stare at me doing one of Z’s workouts and say to me, “you’re a crazy person”, lol. He’s also told me that he sees the changes in my body with Zuzka’s workouts. I not only follow Zuzka’s fitness program, I also find her nutrition advice and recipes super helpful. I love her blueberry protein shake! (It’s now my daily)

Cancer didn’t beat my husband, or myself. We beat cancer!!! It took a positive attitude and dedication to our lifestyle change. The only words to describe witnessing your loved one go through such a traumatic event and come out on top, are truly remarkable and inspirational. I know that sometimes my husband would stop and watch me doing Z’s workouts and it motivated him to keep pushing. With time at the gym and eating healthy, Josh and I, along with three of our friends completed this years Tough mudder event!! It was insane. Probably the hardest (physical) challenge I’ve ever faced. Thanks to Zuzka I was able to battle through it and give my husband the gift he truly wanted. Thank you Z for motivating me and in turn motivating my husband!!!