This Indoor Cyclist Is Biking for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness and Her Health
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Name: Stacey Inklebarger
Age: 49
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Occupation: Registered nurse
Time Cycling: 1.5 years
Reason for Cycling: I have learned over the last five years that daily movement and exercise is empowering. It allows me to tackle challenges, do hard things, and feel my absolute best.
Indoor cycling has helped me through my own personal health journey. In 2018, I faced several health issues for the first time in my life. I was suffering from severe reflux, as well as unexplained digestive issues that we later determined to be intolerance to gluten and dairy.
I was also overweight, with rising cholesterol and triglycerides, and my doctor wanted to put me on medication therapy. I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. All of this came to light within a matter of months, and I was terrified for things to continue spiraling to even more serious health complications.
I then made the decision to make my health a priority and proceeded to lose nearly 60 pounds. It wasn’t easy, and at times it felt like there were more obstacles than I could ever overcome. But I did it, and proved to myself that I was capable of doing hard things, even at my age! Now, at the age of 49, I am living my best life.
I bought an indoor bike in October 2021, but it had been more than a dozen years since I had done indoor cycling. However, I gave up the gym in 2018 and have solely worked out from home ever since, so this bike was perfect for me to pick back up doing something I enjoyed.
I started by adding two to three cycling workouts to my fitness routine. Each ride was around 30 minutes and would range from five to seven miles. I use Beachbody for all of my workouts, and I’ve completed several challenges and a variety of rides that the trainers provide.
If I’m being totally honest, it was hard to start cycling again. When I first got back on the bike, I could only go maybe 10 minutes. I slowly added more and more time. Now, I consistently cycle two to three times a week, doing 30-to 45-minute rides.
Indoor cycling has furthermore been an outlet for tragedy in my life. On August 22, 2022, we lost my aunt, Janice English, to pancreatic cancer. It was a devastating loss for our family. She was 63 when she passed away, and she was the youngest of six siblings.
If you were lucky enough to be Janice’s friend, she considered you family. She made every effort to attend family events, and give back to her community. She was always showing us how to be a good person and how to live life with joy and make the best out of every situation.
It wasn’t until recently that I spent a significant amount of time with my aunt. In June 2020, we went on a girl’s trip to Las Vegas, as well as Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion nationals parks, and I was able to spend an entire week with her. It’s hard to put into words the value she brought to our lives. The more time I spent with her, the more I valued her character.
We were on another girl’s trip in October 2021 when she got sick. By the end of that week, I knew something was very wrong. I knew in my heart that she had cancer. But she never complained. She did not want to take anything away from our trip.
I was only one of many who took care of her, but she asked me to lead the charge in her treatment plan and all her care. She said that she trusted me and had absolute faith in my abilities. Even after my 25 years of nursing, that was humbling.
In the weeks and months that came, we had hours and hours of conversation—all there was about life before and all that was going to be in the life to come. She became someone that I wanted to be, and she inspired me to be better. I had never witnessed someone be such a light in life and spread so much joy to everyone around her.
I will never forget the day we were told there was nothing else to do. We had lost the battle with pancreatic cancer. The first words from my aunt’s mouth after hearing that struck me to my core. While the rest of us were absolutely crushed with sorrow and pain, in her most upbeat voice and with caring concern for us she said, “Don’t cry. I’ve lived a great life. I have absolutely no regrets and if it’s my time to go, then I’m ready.”
We were able to spend another seven weeks with her at home with hospice. I will forever treasure those seven weeks. In her honor, in November 2022, I registered for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s annual walk. I also decided to help raise money for them by cycling.
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, and I knew that my rides would be a big part of helping me through my grief. I decided that I would ride 822 miles in my aunt’s honor (because she passed on 8/22). I’m almost halfway to my goal.
This past April, my family also participated in the annual PanCan PurpleStride walk. It was an emotional day for all of us. It was a fitting tribute to my aunt because she would have been first in line to participate in an event like this! We surpassed our fundraising goal (our goal was $4,000 but we raised more than $5,600) and have even bigger plans for the event next year.
The reality is, though, that my aunt is not here. We cannot bring her back and no amount of wanting it will make it so. Instead, I have made it my mission to be her light. To spread joy to those around me every day. To live life with no regrets. There is always something we can do to make someone else smile. That is her legacy. And I can only hope to be half the amazing woman she was.
Cycling allows me to escape. Being on my bike with that repetitive motion gives me a chance to focus on other things. I can focus on the message my trainer is sharing and how that translates to my life and my problems.
Riding also allows me to focus on my emotions and I know that I can ride harder or faster to let it all out. I can change the pace or the resistance to mirror how I am feeling. In the end, my negative emotions are on the floor in a puddle of sweat instead of being pent up inside.
Ride for whatever brings you joy. There is no right or wrong reason to cycle, or even exercise for that matter. Do it for you and do it because it makes you feel good.
These three tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Show up
As with any physical activity, you have to give yourself a little grace and build up your strength. Know that it’s okay to be a beginner. After that, it is just a matter of showing up day after day after day, even on the hard days. My secret to success has simply been consistency.
2. Keep moving forward
Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” You must develop a positive attitude and you have to accept that there will be failures. Those failures are not an excuse to quit. Grow from them and use them to push further.
3. Celebrate
Enjoy your wins—all of them, big and small! Often we set such big goals that we forget to celebrate all the amazing accomplishments along the way. Live the journey. There is so much to learn from it. Plus, it’s no fun if we have to wait until the end to be happy about where we are right now.
Stacey’s Must-Have Gear
→ Samsung Smart Watch: I love to keep track of not only my movement, but also my sleep habits. Both are vitally important to your overall health and wellness.
→ Brumate Water Bottle: It’s big! Anything over 25 ounces means you only need to fill it three to four times to meet your water goals. Plus, I like the straw and carry ring.
→ Specialized Cycling Shoes: I like Specialized shoes because they fit my feet well. They are also really comfortable.
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