This Rider Beat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Is Now a Cancer Exercise Specialist
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Name: Denise Chakoian
Age: 50
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
Occupation: Owner and founder of CORE (a fitness studio), personal trainer, cancer exercise specialist, and boutique fitness consultant
Reason For Cycling: To stay healthy and strong—cycling also helped me through my cancer journey.
I got into cycling when I was about 23 years old and took an indoor cycling class at the gym where I worked. I quickly fell in love and flew to Miami to get certified.
Indoor cycling gave me a feeling like I never had in any group fitness class. I continued to take classes, and also got into road biking. Although I didn’t do many races by myself, I fell in love with the Tour de France and Lance Armstrong during his cancer journey.
In 2004, I did a 100-mile road race for the Livestrong Cancer Foundation in Austin, Texas, and raised money for the foundation.
My love for cycling and fitness continued, and I opened my own studio and gym, CORE in 2006. I have been teaching fitness and cycling classes ever since.
In 2018 at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. I had a bad cough that was not getting better. It was so bad that I broke two ribs from coughing, so I got a chest X-ray. I did chemotherapy for six months and am in remission today.
Throughout my cancer journey, I continued to teach my Saturday advanced cycling class, and somehow rode my bike more than ever during my cancer treatments. It was the one thing that really kept my cardiovascular system and my body strong.
I also made sure that I ate well. I never skipped a meal, and always had a balanced diet of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. I also used the Calm meditation app every night before bed and maintained a positive attitude.
After going through my cancer journey, I realized how much I knew about my body because I have been in the fitness industry since I was 19 years old! I knew how to navigate a cancer diagnosis as it got tough. I also knew that keeping my body strong through cardiovascular exercise, as well as strength training, would not only help my body process chemotherapy, but also keep me feeling mentally strong.
I started to do fundraising in 2017 for the Lifespan Cancer Institute, and Gloria Gemma Foundation.
During the pandemic, I studied to be a cancer exercise specialist through the American Council of Exercise, with the goal of being able to work in hospitals with cancer patients.
Currently, I meet with cancer patients to discuss their type of cancer, symptoms, and how they can begin or restart their exercise and wellness plan. Sometimes, it is challenging for patients to maintain their activity due to side effects or symptoms they’re experiencing while going through their cancer treatment or post-surgery. Overall, I have found that many patients find hope and strength just by being able to talk things through, and my goal is to provide them with the assurance they can get their wellness back.
I prepare therapy and rehabilitation exercises based on the patient’s type of cancer and their level of mobility and movement. Every patient is different, so we create a unique plan. Some patients need mobility exercises to get movement back, while some patients might need help getting up from the floor if they fall.
Currently, I ride at least three times per week and I still teach cycling in my studio. I also train the instructors, and new cycling teachers that come on board.
Cycling to me is a feel-good workout! It is about moving your body, not about whether you can do the fast-paced choreography, but to be with others and feel the music and the motivation.
Honestly, cycling is my first love in fitness, besides total-body strength training workouts. Cycling has made me mentally and physically strong, and also has gotten me through some tough times. The people I trained were in my classes throughout cancer, and I showed up for them to lift me up. Cycling will always have a special place for me.
These three tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Get the gear
The first tip is to be sure you have a solid bike set-up and proper cycling shoes to make your experience the best it can be.
2. Check your form
Learn the correct form when riding in and out of the saddle, including handlebar height, and where to place your hands.
3. Take it slow
Be patient and build yourself up in cycling without pressure! Have patience and you will get to where you want to go!
Denise’s Must-Have Gear
→ TIEM Shoes: I love the TIEM shoes because they feel like street shoes! They are comfortable, they have a double Velcro system, and you can wear them outdoors.
→ Lululemon Sense Knit One Piece: This feels soft and very comfortable.
→ Lululemon Wunder Train High Rise Shorts: These also are extremely soft and very comfortable.
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