Chic Spotlight: Lisa Nicolette, Breast Cancer Survivor
One local lady turned adversity into empowerment. See how she's defying all odds in remission and continuing to compete in amateur fitness competitions.

Breast Cancer Survivor Lisa Nicolette

Cincy Chic: Can you describe your experience with breast cancer?
Lisa Nicolette:I never imagined that I would become a cancer patient. After all, I was young and in the best shape of my life and was preparing to compete in one of the largest amateur fitness competitions in the U.S. I had just landed a dream job in advertising sales with lots of potential, and I was at the prime of life, or at least I thought so, until a small lump changed everything.

One statistic is that one in every eight females will end up with an unfortunate diagnosis, because cancer does not discriminate, and more young women are being affected. This is no longer an "older woman's" disease.

Cincy Chic: Why did you continue to focus on and improve your fitness after your diagnosis?
Nicolette: I was training hard to compete in the figure division of bodybuilding and was part of a team of competitors called Body Armor. After the diagnosis I went crazy in the gym and even competed at The Arnold Expo in the USMC (men's fitness challenge) just three weeks before my scheduled surgery!

Everyone thought I lost it because I was informed that life as I knew it was over. I was informed by other survivors and patients that I would have to settle for a lesser career, a lesser life, no more fitness challenges, and I would have many limitations.

I refused to accept this and settle for a life of mediocrity. I trained hard to go into this battle in top shape, and it enabled me to cope with the stress of having a potentially life-threatening disease. Once I was through treatment and healed, I stepped onto the stage for the first time in 2010 and did it! Other competitors couldn't believe that I had survived breast cancer and was strong enough to compete. One competitor heard what I accomplished and asked if I had any advice for her mother who had a stroke and was bedridden.

Cincy Chic: Describe your life after going into remission.
Nicolette: Life after cancer is different for everyone depending on the type of cancer, the treatment administered and the approximate age and physical condition of the patient. I had a lumpectomy (they just remove the lump and check around the margins), and they removed five lymph nodes.

I had to go through seven grueling weeks of radiation treatment followed by taking an estrogen blocker. I had to gradually work my way back to training at the gym at the level that I was accustomed to. One year later I had broken all personal records at the gym!

Cincy Chic: Besides affecting your health, how else did having cancer affect your life, and how have you adjusted?
Nicolette: I'm not going to say that being a survivor is easy. Let's just say that there are many variables to deal with. I had lost my dream job two days after my diagnosis, I had no insurance, and my options were limited. Thankfully, I was able to get into the breast and cervical cancer program or else I'd still be searching for ways to pay for it.

During treatment a friend who was a headhunter offered me an opportunity in pharmaceutical sales in another city. I had to decline because I was just finishing radiation treatments and was exhausted from it all.

By the time I was finally healed and had my energy back, the economy hit rock bottom and good jobs were suddenly scarce. I had to draw on other talents to survive and got certified as a personal trainer and started working at some local gyms and private gyms.

I also worked on writing a book and at a friend's advice went to a writer's conference in New York City one year after treatment and pitched my book to well-known book agents. It was a really cool experience, and I acquired new skills and abilities that I never dreamed I had.

Cincy Chic: How has being a survivor changed your life?
Nicolette: Because I am a survivor, I have to find creative ways to manage my stress and get enough sleep. No more working till 3 a.m. putting sales proposals together and then hitting the territory for ten hours a day. I now have to wear a sleeve on my right arm when I weight train due to the lymph node removal.

I was advised not to lift anything heavier then 25 pounds. I do deadlifting with 135 to 150 pounds for five sets! My body is used to training heavy, and I'm thankful that God healed me.

I know cancer survivors who are not so fortunate, and some will spend most of their lives on long term disabilities. More advanced cancer requires more advanced treatments beyond just radiation.

I knew a guy from the gym who made it as a model and fitness model. I hadn't seen this individual for a long time until he was featured in a fitness magazine with the announcement that he had just passed away from cancer. I was shocked by this very sad news, and it made me realize how fortunate I was to have survived early stage 1.

One night I had a nightmare that seemed too real. I dreamed that the cancer came back, and I died from it and I was walking around in the form of a spirit because my body was now in a grave. I was trying to communicate with my family and friends, and they just couldn't hear me. I finally just sat down and cried because my life was over, and I couldn't come back. Then I woke up and was so thankful that it was just a dream.

I believe that this strange dream was a wakeup call to live my life and reach as many survivors as I could with a more positive message. I decided to pick up where I had left off and made plans to get my life back.

Cincy Chic: Do you continue to compete now?
Nicolette: Fast forward to 2010: I competed at The Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix in November 2010 and placed fifth in the figure division with still a long way to go. I competed at the Northern Kentucky 2011 Beverly International and placed fifth in figure. I even went to The Arnold Expo and did the U.S. Air Force Fitness Challenge ñ- they put a 50-pound flak jacket (same one worn by U.S. Soldiers in Iraq) on, and you do pullñups. I squeezed out one!

I just competed at the NPC Kentucky Derby Festival 2011 and placed fourth in figure. I still have a long way to go as far as truly getting into competition shape, but I will never give up. I thank God every day for getting me through all of the above ñ- again, I consider everything to be a miracle and a gift from God.

Cincy Chic: What are your aspirations going forward?
Nicolette: My goal is to motivate, inspire and encourage others who have suffered devastating illnesses or have family or friends who are going through it. People today are looking for positive motivation, and I'm about to give a hefty dose of that. Cancer does not have to be life-threatening -- but for some, their lives will be altered.

The important thing to remember is the fact that there is more to a person then just their looks. We should naturally try to look our best; however, there is something to be said about inner beauty and strength of character when faced with a challenge.

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