Hi! My name is Wendi Scott. I’m 53 years old, and shortly after I turned 50, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that required a year of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Cancer has taught me not to sweat the small stuff and reminds me that life is meant to be lived fully. Whatever your situation allows, try to push it just a little more… and then a little more after that.

During treatment, I thought running was off the table. Turns out, I was wrong. I went on to run countless 5Ks and three half-marathons!

The running community, especially my running partner, did not go easy on me. I’m still not sure if they were trying to motivate me or if they just refused to be outrun by a cancer patient. Either way, it worked. I kept showing up, and now, I am setting new personal records.

Then Rosie Rodriguez, from ThriveWell Cancer Foundation called me, and I joined the DIVA program. Even while working full-time, I’m able to take full advantage of the free exercise, art, and nutrition classes. Exercise is non-negotiable for me—it lowers the risk of recurrence and helps fight cancer—so I am very happy about the countless classes available and the knowledgeable instructors. From day one, I felt welcomed. We all understand each other without saying a word. I even met my Diva BFF here! We hype each other up, laugh, compete, and even compare muscles.

The Diva&Dude program is the best thing that has happened to me in my journey to THRIVE. It’s those connections that give us hope. We are part of something bigger, and the love and support we share at ThriveWell cannot be matched. I’ve learned to keep pushing and embracing life—because every step, connection, laugh, and tear counts.