Positivity and Mentality
The Impact of Mental Health for Overall Wellness
Significant health events can impact our physical and mental health. For Fitz Koehler, author of "The Cancer Comeback Series," surviving cancer meant more than just regaining her bodily strength. As a race announcer, a fitness expert, and a cancer-crushing keynote speaker, Fitz speaks on the significance of prioritizing mental health as an essential aspect of overall wellness.
On the Ingrained & Balanced podcast about practicing a well-balanced lifestyle, hosts Lonnie and Marty discuss the importance of physical and mental wellness. On season 1, episode 8, they are joined by Fitz Koehler to discuss the power of perspective, mental aptitude, and positive thinking for overall health recovery.
Fitz's Story
Fitz's book series "The Cancer Comeback" focuses on inspiring people to live their lives to the fullest by doing their best with what they have.
Fitz is among America's most prominent compelling fitness experts and race announcers. She has a master's degree in exercise and sports sciences and decades of experience teaching fitness worldwide. So when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, she had to make an important decision: to let the diagnosis slow her down or continue doing what she loved throughout the experience.
On the podcast, she explains how she maintained optimism during this time and identified her priorities to harness her joy. For Fitz, the choice to push forward was clear. Doing so allowed her to regain her strength and focus on her career, which tripled as a result!
Mind Over Matter
The loss of one's physical capabilities due to injury or illness can limit our ability to enjoy life in the same way we did before. But according to Fitz, this doesn't need to keep us from finding ways we can enjoy our lives.
Fitz decided to persevere with her career throughout the physical changes that resulted from her cancer treatments. Her reasoning stems from her mental health and the positive effects of doing what she loves.
Fitz explains, "if you love what you do, if you love taking care of animals, or you love painting houses or mowing lawns, whatever it is, it really will have a dramatic effect on your mental on your mind and allow you to take the focus off the things that are wrong with you, and put them on the good stuff."
Persevering through Health Problems
Of course, persevering through significant health events like cancer is more easily said than done. Fitz elaborates on her body’s changes, and the lack of control she felt during this time.
She explains on the show how she checks herself when she is focusing on things she cannot control and how this helps her avoid negativity. By letting go of the concerns and anxieties she cannot change, she can avoid the worry, stress, and other negative thoughts that wouldn't benefit her.
One thing that helped Fitz get up on her feet during the difficult times was perspective. While certain aspects may be challenging during a major health event, maintaining a positive outlook and practicing gratitude can rewire your mindset and allow you to see the good sides of a situation.
Perspective is a significant theme within Fitz's "A Cancer Comeback" series. She discusses this viewpoint concerning her cancer treatments, as well as her fitness and overall wellness. While the changes that came with her experiences were challenging, her positive perspective helped her focus less on feeling sorry about her situation — and more on getting better.
Working With Your Body
Realizing and accepting your body's physical decline is a significant step towards turning it around. While Fitz acknowledges that different health situations can present more significant struggles, she believes that taking small steps to improve your fitness can help you maintain positivity.
Regardless of an individual's physical condition, Fitz says the best way to reach your goals is to know your ideal destination. As a fitness expert, she helps clients identify their ideal destinations so that they can begin the process of reaching them.
If you want to start your fitness journey, you can begin by focusing on what Fitz identifies as the Four Pillars of Fitness. These include strength, cardiovascular capacity, flexibility, and balance.
Every person's journey looks different and comes with unique physical and mental challenges. But by maintaining a positive mindset, identifying goals, and persevering to reach them, anyone can live their life to the fullest.
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To hear more about Fitz Koehler’s cancer experience and her thoughts on physical and mental wellness, check out the Ingrained & Balanced podcast!