The New Normal
“How brain cancer taught me that accomplishing my goals and getting my life back to ‘normal’ doesn’t always have to look exactly like how I originally envisioned it in order for me to feel fulfilled.” (step 6 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision, despite a […]
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
“How brain cancer made me even more determined to accomplish my life goals” (step 5 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision despite a cancer diagnosis or other major life-altering event). STEP 5: Commit to your goals and put your money where your mouth is! Recruit […]
Nobody is Guaranteed Tomorrow
“How brain cancer made me prioritize my life goals” (step 4 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision despite a cancer diagnosis or other major life-altering event). STEP 4: Declare your goal(s) and take your first action step! Mark them down on your calendar […]
Nestor Strong
Read more about Nestor’s story in the July 2016 Cancer Awareness issue of Endurance Magazine here: http://magazine.endurancemag.com/HTML5/Endurance-Magazine-LLC-Endurance-Magazine-July-2016 Thanks to the life-saving, first-class medical care that Duke has provided, Nestor has resumed many of his favorite physical activities, including long distance running and hiking. On April 1st, 2017, he successfully completed the Umstead 100-Mile […]
Picking Up the Torch
“How brain cancer put my life goals into focus” (step 3 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision despite a cancer diagnosis or other major life-altering event). STEP 3: Identify your goal(s). What goals did I have prior to my diagnosis? What goals do I […]
A Moment of Clarity
“A Moment of Clarity.” “How brain cancer made my purposes in life crystal clear” (step 2 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision despite a cancer diagnosis or other major life-altering event). STEP 2: Find/define your purpose(s) in life, i.e., your motivation to begin and continue […]
That Fateful Day in June
“How brain cancer EMPOWERed me to create and experience the life I envision” (step 1 of my 8-step plan to get you back on track towards pursuing the life you envision despite a cancer diagnosis or other major life-altering event). STEP 1: Perform a self-assessment. What is my vision for my life? Write […]
Trainer Spotlight – Nestor Paonessa
I am Nestor Paonessa, Assistant General Manager and Health and Fitness Coach at EMPOWER Personalized Fitness in Durham, North Carolina. I am a brain cancer survivor, ultra-runner, backpacker, world traveler, tennis player, pianist, and very lucky husband to Ashley Paonessa. Now, at the relatively young age of 36, I believe that I have already had […]
How to Continue to Pursue the Life You Envision Despite a Cancer Diagnosis (or other major life-altering event)
Step 1. Perform a self-assessment. What is my vision for my life? Write it down. ME: My vision for my life is to build a HAPPY and HEALTHY home and family together with my wife Ashley, and to have many fun and fulfilling adventures and experiences around the world with her. Step 2. Find/define […]