‘Absolutely amazing’ – how one Offaly personal trainer is helping cancer patients recover
As health and fitness awareness grows, personal training is experiencing increased demand. One trainer, Stephen Spollen, from Ferbane, Ireland, found his own path to the profession through a personal transformation and is now pioneering a specialized approach to fitness for a uniquely vulnerable population: cancer patients.
From Personal Struggle to Professional Calling
Spollen’s journey began when he weighed 24 stone and sought guidance in weight loss. This initial experience sparked a “massive bug for fitness” and led to a career change, with over a decade spent as a personal trainer. However, he recently sought a more focused niche, wanting to dedicate his expertise to a specific group.
A Pivotal Client and a New Focus
The shift came through a chance encounter with Edel Mahon, a client undergoing long-term treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Mahon was experiencing significant fatigue and limited movement due to chemotherapy. Spollen and Mahon collaborated to create a training plan tailored to her needs.
This experience prompted Spollen to research the benefits of strength training for cancer patients, discovering a growing body of evidence supporting its role in maintaining energy levels during and after treatment. He believes strength training will become a standard part of cancer care programmes in the near future.
Adapting Training for Unique Needs
Working with cancer patients requires a different approach than traditional fitness training. Spollen emphasizes the need for intuition, acknowledging the impact of treatment and medication on a client’s abilities. He adapts exercises to accommodate restricted movement and carefully monitors energy levels, prioritizing small, incremental progress.
Spollen earned a qualification as a cancer exercise specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institution (CETI) in the United Kingdom, gaining a deeper understanding of the specific needs of patients undergoing various cancer treatments and operations.
Expanding Access Through Technology
To reach clients beyond his local area, Spollen developed the Willowfit app. This platform allows him to assess clients remotely, create personalized training plans, monitor progress, and assign new exercises. The app requires an initial consultation to understand a client’s medical history and goals.
Another client, Carol Grogan, also undergoing long-term treatment for metastatic cancer, has experienced positive results. Both Mahon and Grogan have reported increased strength, confidence, and improved quality of life through Spollen’s training.
Looking Ahead
Spollen envisions a future where his services are integrated into hospital settings, becoming a recommended component of cancer recovery plans. He hopes to expand his team to manage the growing demand for the Willowfit app and potentially incorporate additional wellness services, such as massage therapy. , as research continues to support the benefits of exercise during cancer treatment, demand for specialized trainers like Spollen will increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Stephen Spollen to become a personal trainer?
Stephen Spollen’s own fitness journey, beginning when he weighed 24 stone and needed to lose weight, inspired him to become a personal trainer to help others achieve their fitness goals.
What prompted Stephen Spollen to specialize in training cancer patients?
A chance meeting with Edel Mahon, a client undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer, prompted Stephen Spollen to research and specialize in training individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
How does Stephen Spollen adapt his training plans for cancer patients?
Stephen Spollen adapts his training plans by being intuitive to the individual’s needs, considering the impact of treatment and medication, accommodating restricted movement, and carefully monitoring energy levels.
How might specialized fitness programmes like this impact the broader landscape of cancer care?