02/24/2026
At Elite Iron, we’ve had the honor of serving clients with many different goals, challenges, and seasons of life.
But today, we want to pause and recognize a very specific group we’ve been privileged to walk alongside.
CANCER SUCKS.
There’s no sugarcoating it.
Over the years, Elite Iron has found itself in the middle of this journey with more and more clients navigating diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and everything in between. And we don’t believe that’s by accident.
With Coach James’ relentless focus on perseverance, grit, strength, and community — paired with his wife’s 15 years serving as an oncology nurse — this isn’t coincidence.
It’s a calling.
Today we want to highlight the 2025 challenge trial led by Kerry Courneya.
Not because this concept is new to us.
Not because we needed convincing.
But because this study reinforces with hard data what we have witnessed firsthand inside these walls.
📊 In the Courneya 2025 trial, which included over 800 CRC patients, the structured exercise group demonstrated:
• Improved physical function
• Increased cardioresal fitness
• Reduced treatment-related fatigue
• Better overall quality of life
• ~28% improvement in disease-free survival
• ~37% improvement in overall survival
Yes — you read that right.
Participants who trained in a supervised, progressive exercise program didn’t just feel better.
They had a significantly lower risk of recurrence and death compared to the usual care group.
That’s not gym hype.
That’s data.
Exercise isn’t just about looking better.
It’s about tolerating treatment better.
Recovering stronger.
Reducing recurrence risk.
Extending life.
For our cancer warriors — past and present — you are some of the toughest athletes we coach. The barbell doesn’t intimidate you. Chemo didn’t break you. Radiation didn’t define you.
Strength training during cancer isn’t reckless.
It’s evidence-based.
It’s protective.
It’s powerful.
We are honored to walk beside you.
We will keep building strength.
We will keep building community.
We will keep fighting back.
Because cancer may suck —
but strength fights back.
