This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Finding Joy From Pain

A battle with breast cancer has taught Lockey Maisonneuve that fitness is about looking and feeling the best that you can.

“It’s not important where you can lift your arm in the beginning, it’s important where you can at the end,” said Cranford resident Lockey Maisonneuve describing an exercise in a fitness class that she instructs, yet it is an inspirational philosophy that Maisonneuve adopts in all aspects of her life.

The “one in eight” out of her family and friends, Maisonneuve was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2006. A personal trainer by profession, Maisonneuve’s two year battle with cancer put a new perspective on her physically-intensive line of work. For a woman who was used to lifting weights for a living, all of a sudden something as simple as picking up a cup of coffee was a challenge.

After chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomies, and radiation, Maisonneuve admitted that she was afraid to start exercising again.

“I was looking for a way to exercise but I was scared to death,” recalled Maisonneuve. Even when she resumed her fitness regimen, she was still nervous about pulling a muscle or hurting herself.

It was her own struggle to overcome the apprehension surrounding exercise, that caused Maisonneuve to realize that other women might also find comfort in the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of work outs. She started presenting seminars about the importance of exercise at Overlook Medical Center, located in Summit, and although the experience was rewarding, she decided to get more physical with her efforts.

Shortly after earning her Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist Certification from The Cancer Exercise Training Institute, Maisonneuve created MovingOn, a rehabilitative exercise program for cancer patients. The class generally consists of stretches and exercises using body weight to alleviate the back, shoulders, and neck complications that many women undergoing chemotherapy experience. Participants at MovingOn range from three months out of treatment or surgery, to some brave survivors who are still undergoing chemo. Maisonneuve welcomes all stages and always encourages everyone to work to the degree in which they feel comfortable. She recalled a class from last week when one woman became frustrated because she couldn’t get her arm up high enough. Maisonneuve, always determined to find humor or laughter in any situation, retorted, "well I am frustrated because I’m not rich."

“It has been a reward back to me because now when someone comes in and asks me a question, I will say let’s put it out to the group and see if anyone else feels that way,” said Maisonneuve. “You see them actually change in the class and breathe a collective sigh of relief.”

She likes to emphasize the notion that patient didn’t “do cancer wrong” and that it is common and normal to think that your cancer feels worse or different than you thought it would.

Maisonneuve teaches her strength course at Overlook on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as once a week at Summit Medical Center. When patients reach a certain level of comfort with their bodies, she normally suggests that they move on to another of her personal training course. Maisonneuve instructs group fitness classes at the Scotch Plains YMCA, as well as Gold Metal Fitness, her place of work before her diagnosis. And as though Maisonneuve doesn’t have enough on her plate, as of this Tuesday she has begun leading a backyard bootcamp at Hands of Life Martial Arts Academy in Garwood.

It has been three years since Maisonneuve taught her first breast cancer exercise group and she is now attracting attention that she never fathomed. Although her original mission was to spread her story and message throughout Union County, Maisonneuve has recently received inquiries from Maryland, Virginia and even Texas.

Aside from a physical exercise program, Maisonneuve also runs seminars discussing the importance of exercise and how she has discovered it affects overall well-being.

“Working with breast cancer survivors has taught me that fitness isn’t about being a size two. It’s about looking the best that you can.”

Find out what's happening in Cranfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?