“CrossFit allows me to clear the cobwebs out of my head when it starts to get dark. … (It) allows me to come in, work hard, suffer a little bit, and realize that it’ll pass. That 22-minute WOD is gonna be hard, but at minute 23 it’s gonna be over and it’s just kind of like life. There are gonna be dark days, but that storm passes.” — Joel Trella, New Jersey State Trooper and member of CrossFit Bison
Kathleen Staunton, advanced practice nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer the night before the Open in 2022. New Jersey State Trooper Joel Trella was suffering from depression and untreated post-traumatic stress and admitted himself into a facility after confiding in a colleague about being suicidal.
CrossFit Bison has been a safe haven and a source of support for both.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression, or trauma, you’re not alone. Visit findahelpline.com for support.
Comments on Facing Cancer and Depression With CrossFit
Thank you both for sharing your stories! I am/have been dealing with both situations. Crossfit and powerlifting have been a constant as much as possible. The bar, rig and people are there as our supporters; always pleased you showed up, on good and bad days.
I too was diagnosed with breast cancer January 28th 2022. Just 2 days after my 46th birthday. I have been a member of Harvest Crossfit since 2015. Two week later I had the lumpectomy, and showed up for class the next day...scaled using only my left arm. For the rest of that week I modified my 5 am workouts. Then the Crossfit Open 22.1 came, wall walks/box jumps/DB snatches 35#. I looked at my 5am family and said "let's do this". My crossfit family supported me so much in 2022 though diagnosed, surgery and radiation. It was my year, I did 10 Crossfit Competitions, 2 Strongman Competitions and the 5am class did a Spartan together. I recently got my CFL-1 and hope to lead and inspire. We are the Feral 5am...for life!
This too shall pass. An important reminder. You are both so strong and brave. Depression hits me hard too.
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CrossFit saves life’s, I was 329lbs an unable to move. Decided to make a change and join CrossFit challenge and get myself health scans. 6 mo into my journey I was feeling good lost 80lbs, had my 1st colonoscopy age 61 and a mass was discovered stage 4 rectal cancer. My Cf community rally with love fund raisers and shared moments. I’m was able to show up 5 days a week an did the WOD through 8 weeks chemo, 6 weeks chemo/radiation, now getting ready for surgery. I’ve had to learn to lower the weight and get what I can done. Did open 2023 yes, living my best life. I got a tear from Kathleen & Joel’s story.
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Kathleen and Joel are true heroes for revealing their inner stories just to help others.
In March 2018 I was crossfitting about 3-4x/week for a few months after a long break. I was 34, thin, and otherwise healthy. During a 100 burpee pull-ups WOD one night, I hit around 75 reps and my body wouldn’t let me do anymore. Something was wrong in my abdomen. It was enough to convince me to get a primary care provider and have an annual physical, something I had ignored since I got out of the Army a few years prior. I told him about my abdominal pain and he referred me to a GI doc for a colonoscopy. I almost ignored the referral, but I was concerned. I’m glad I didn’t ignore it. They found a stage 2 tumor that had nearly obstructed my colon. By the end of April 2018 I was having surgery to remove it and thankfully haven’t had any issues since then.
Almost 5 years cancer free. And I have always thanked CrossFit for pushing my body so hard to know something was “off” and get me in front of a doctor.
Facing Cancer and Depression With CrossFit
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