Member Impact Story: Cathy Guadagni

Participation in the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program helped Cathy Guadagni take charge of her health and life.

When I was finishing treatments for my breast cancer, I knew that I had to be proactive about diet and exercise to help prevent the return of cancer. While meeting with the Middlesex Health Nutritionist, we talked about the importance of exercise. She suggested I look into LIVESTRONG at the Y.

During my intake, the Healthy Living Director, Jill listened so carefully and had such enthusiasm for how the program would help me. The Y immediately felt like it was exactly what I needed to help me get back into exercise and get the endorphin rush I was craving.

I’ve belonged to other gyms. This is not just a gym, this is a community. Every time I walked into the Y, I felt like everyone genuinely cared. The structure of the program with time to gather and connect and check in with each other about our day, our treatment, etc. is what makes it more powerful than being part of a group exercise class. After the first week of sharing and fitness evaluations, the walls came down, the group bonded and held each other accountable. We were all at different levels but all going through the same type of experience. The coaches allowed me to own my progress. They would ask “Are you ready to do more?” They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. We gradually began to trust the ability of our bodies to become stronger and increase our weights and reps or length of time on the treadmill.

Now that I’m a member of the Y, I feel a sense of belonging and have continued to become stronger and reclaim my body, my brain and my life.

Learn more about LIVESTRONG at the YMCA