Maria’s Journey of Strength and Giving Back
Shared during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In 2020, amid the emotional weight of caring for her terminally ill father, Maria received life-altering news of her own: a breast cancer diagnosis. What followed was a journey marked by immense physical and emotional challenges – but also one of remarkable resilience, transformation, and purpose.
Maria discovered a lump on the left side of her chest, which soon turned out to be two aggressive tumours. “I had my first mastectomy before we went into lockdown,” she recalls. What followed was a series of critical decisions and treatments. Her cancer was hormone-related, prompting endocrine therapy and a risk-reducing second mastectomy.
Because she was premenopausal, Maria also underwent surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as part of her treatment plan. But even during these difficult times, she remained determined to stay as healthy as possible.
While undergoing her second mastectomy, doctors discovered additional tumours. These were also confirmed to be cancerous, leading to radiotherapy in March 2023. Despite the ongoing health battles, Maria stayed committed to her wellbeing. She began working out at home, understanding that staying strong physically would help her stay strong mentally too.
During her recovery, Maria learned about Lincs Inspire’s Active Forever referral programme. Initially hesitant to join, she pushed through her nerves and signed up for the 12-week wellbeing scheme at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
I was reluctant to come because I was nervous about who’s going to be in the gym, what’s going to be happening. Because I was on medication, I’d forget things – all those things that every woman goes through,” Maria shares. “But while I was there, I thought: I’d love to give back to people in some way.”
And that’s exactly what she did. Inspired by her experience, Maria studied for her fitness qualifications and soon landed a role working on the very scheme that had helped her during her recovery. Now, she brings her empathy, lived experience, and passion for wellness into every session she leads.
“Anybody that says to me that they don’t like the gym – well, I was that person! I really, really was. But for me, little and often, consistently, is the key.”
Maria recently celebrated a major milestone: her final reconstructive surgery. Now cancer-free, she reflects on her journey with gratitude. “It’s been nearly five years since my first diagnosis, but two years since my last. I count myself as very lucky.”
Today, Maria supports members on the Active Forever programme, and teaches classes like Movement to Music, where the goal is not perfection – it’s joy. “If somebody leaves smiling because they’ve moved around and enjoyed themselves, then I believe my job’s done,” she says. “To give people purpose and self-belief is what I am about, because we all need it, and we don’t know what’s around the corner.”
She also carries a powerful message for those facing health battles or life’s curveballs: “People who are getting cancer diagnosis are getting younger and younger. So we need to be strong. We need to keep getting back up.”
