At The Edge Fitness, we're honored to be a small part of JoBeth's continued journey. Her resilience, determination, and commitment to caring for others inspire us, and we're proud to have her as part of our Derby gym family.
For JoBeth, a member of The Edge Fitness in Derby, fitness has become about so much more than working out. It’s about rebuilding strength, prioritizing her health, and celebrating everything her body has overcome.
After spending more than 20 years as a caregiver, dedicating her life to caring for family members, loved ones, and clients, JoBeth understood the impact a cancer diagnosis could have on a person and their family. But in 2017, shortly after giving birth to her third child, she found herself facing that reality in a way she never could have imagined.
It started when she discovered a large lump in her right breast. Following a biopsy and additional testing, JoBeth received the devastating news that she had stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer and carried the BRCA1 gene mutation.
Her first thoughts weren't about herself. They were about her children.
Her oldest son was just 10, her youngest was almost 6, and she had recently welcomed her baby girl.
She wondered if she would survive and who would take care of her children if she couldn't.
What followed was an incredibly difficult year filled with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and unexpected complications. During treatment, JoBeth became seriously ill and was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors discovered a large blood clot in the upper-right chamber of her heart. She spent six weeks hospitalized before undergoing risky surgery to remove it.
After making it through surgery, she returned to chemotherapy and continued fighting. She ultimately underwent a right mastectomy, radiation, additional chemotherapy, surgery to remove her left breast, and a full hysterectomy because of her BRCA1 mutation.
The physical and emotional toll was immense.
Losing her hair and breasts deeply affected how she saw herself as a woman. There were moments when she struggled to recognize the person looking back at her in the mirror.
But through it all, she held onto one thing: her children needed her.
And through her journey, JoBeth discovered a perspective that would stay with her forever.
"My hair, my appearance, and my body do not define me. True beauty comes from within."
Rebuilding Strength, One Workout at a Time
After completing treatment and receiving medical clearance, JoBeth knew it was time to make her health a priority again.
She began focusing on clean eating, making healthier choices, and working out at The Edge Fitness in Derby with her personal trainer, Lushka.
What started as a commitment to her physical health quickly became something much bigger.
JoBeth found more than a gym. She found a community.
"I found a gym family filled with amazing, supportive people who genuinely want to see me succeed," she shared.
Her relationship with Lushka has become an especially meaningful part of that journey. Beyond helping JoBeth stay accountable and work toward her fitness goals, Lushka has become a friend and an incredible support system.
"No matter what I am going through, she helps me stay focused, pushes me toward my goals, and encourages me to keep working toward a healthier life."
As a busy business owner, mother, and caregiver, finding time for herself isn't always easy. But Lushka understands her schedule and works with her to make sure her well-being remains a priority.
After everything her body has endured, having someone in her corner who encourages her, supports her, and believes in her has made all the difference.
"I cannot thank Lushka and everyone at The Edge Fitness enough for supporting me throughout this journey. They have reminded me that taking care of myself matters, too."
8 Years Cancer-Free: Turning Pain Into Purpose
Today, JoBeth is celebrating an incredible milestone: eight years cancer-free.
Eight years of gratitude, healing, growth, and getting to experience the moments she once feared she might miss. Watching her children grow, pursuing her dreams, and embracing the gift of another day have taken on an entirely new meaning.
While cancer changed her life forever, it never took away her desire to care for others. In fact, it gave that desire an even deeper purpose.
Through her business, In-Home Angels, JoBeth continues doing what she has always felt called to do: providing compassion, comfort, dignity, and support to individuals and families during some of life's most difficult moments.
Having experienced the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis herself, she understands just how much genuine kindness and support can mean.
"Behind every diagnosis is a person who is scared, a family searching for answers, and a life forever changed," she shared.
Her own hardships have shaped the way she cares for others, and she now uses her experience to help bring comfort and hope to those who need it most.
Looking back, JoBeth is grateful for the people who stood beside her, the medical teams who helped her through treatment, her family and friends, and the community that continues to support her today.
Her story is a reminder that strength isn't just about what we overcome. It's also about how we choose to move forward.
As JoBeth puts it:
"I am a mother. I am a caregiver with more than 20 years of experience. I am a business owner. I am a survivor. I am eight years cancer-free. And through In-Home Angels, I will continue turning my blessings into hope, compassion, and care for others."
Here's to eight years cancer-free, continued strength, and all the beautiful moments still ahead. ❤️
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