I started this community to bring women together who have really been through some $h!t and are ready to build the next half of life stronger than ever with the support of other people just like you. Introduce yourself to the group! Tell us your story. I'll go first.... Hi! I'm Joy. I'm not a fitness influencer. I'm not a guru. I'm a regular midlife woman, who was shocked when I went in for the first mammogram of life at 42 and surprise! Bi-lateral breast cancer. This usually occurs in only 1-3% of cases so I'm "special." That definitely was NOT on my bingo card since there's no family history. It wasn't until I discovered my cancer that I learned that 90% of cancers are NOT caused by genetics, they are mostly caused by environmental stresses. Which, in a way, is somewhat encouraging because there are things you can do to fight it -- Exercise, nutrition, meditation, rest, and healthy relationships are all factors that help keep cancer at bay. I'm still taking my tamoxifen but I've radically changed how I live. I'm one of the lucky ones because I caught early and I'm cured. Two months after my diagnosis, I completed my double mastectomy, and after six weeks of rest and recovery, I took my yoga teacher training and began strength coaching, helping other learn everything I did during my 2 year journey to prevent it from coming back! Then last year, suddenly was eliminated from my job and have been teaching and health coaching full time focusing on strength/resistance training women over 40, yoga for mobility and meditation, and changing your mindset so that you create new habits and a lifestyle that lasts. Welcome to getting Stronger With Joy!