Life Changing Experiences with Above + Beyond Cancer
In this week’s episode of the Cancer education Series,the founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, Dr. Richard Deming, talks with Above +Beyond Cancer’s Program Director, Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer, and my beautiful mother, Mary Van Heukelom. Mary grew up in the small town of North English, Iowa and went to the University of Northern Iowa where she got a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, as well as a Masters in Education.
Her years of teaching Government and History slowly transitioned to teaching a healthy lifestyle as a personal trainer. Mary has accompanied several of Above + Beyond Cancer’s Transformational Journeys as a trainer and mentor, starting with the organization when they were founded in 2011. She describes that since her time with Above + Beyond Cancer, her perspective and attitude for life have expanded.
Mary and Dr. Deming mention several different evidence-based programs that are offered by Above + Beyond Cancer for cancer survivors and their families. The programs include forest bathing, indoor and outdoor cycling, the Cancer Education Series, total training classes, book club, cooking + nutrition classes at Kitchen Collage, urban pole walking, meditation classes, Tai Chi, outdoor hiking, adventure fitness programs, as well as sound, music, and art therapy. The full list and schedule for these classes can be found here.
Mary vocalized her own journey with cancer. She learned about her diagnosis after having a colonoscopy a little over a year ago. She relays that her compassion, empathy, and mindfulness for the cancer survivors with whom she works has grown since her diagnosis. She also leads her life in a bit of a different manner..
Mary shared a quote that she feels embodies Above + Beyond Cancer. After the first transformational journey to the base camp of Mt. Everest, Terersa Adams-Tomka shared a quote with Mary from Kurt Hahn, “There is more in us than we know, and if we could be made to realize this; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” Dr. Deming and Mary Van Heukelom discuss the importance of accepting our morality, in order to find joy in our everyday trials and tribulations.
For more, check out this conversation in detail on the Above + Beyond Cancer's Youtube channel.
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BA Ethics & Public Policy, BBA Management, minor Social Justice