If you’ve been following us for any length of time on social media, you are probably already aware that at Maple Tree, we are passionate about getting cancer survivors moving.
We talk all the time about the numerous benefits of exercise training during (and following) cancer treatment.
We make no secret about the fact that our primary vision is to make exercise a part of the national standard of clinical care for cancer.
I am not too shy to say that my dream is that one day, there will be a Maple Tree in every major city in the country. I’ll even admit that I pray daily that Maple Tree’s reach will someday extend beyond the US.
And if I’m being honest, I’ll even tell you that I believe with my whole heart that one day, these dreams will become reality.
It just makes too much sense not to.
How can something so helpful….so beneficial….so wonderful… not be a part of the standard of care?!
How will we get there?
It’s simple.
It starts with our trainers.
Maybe when you think of an exercise trainer, you get a mental image of an old school gym teacher with short athletic shorts and a whistle – yelling at you to “drop and give him 20”.
Well, I can assure you that these are not our trainers!
Our exercise oncology instructors are simply amazing.
They are skilled, certified, and trained to meet the unique needs of each cancer patient we see. They are light-hearted enough to develop fun and effective workout programs for their patients, and sensitive enough to understand and navigate everyone’s individual limitations.
They deeply care about their patients and long to make a difference in their life.
Our patients know they are in good hands.
They know they are cared about.
They know our trainers are there to support them every step of their journey.
As we grow, it is important to me that we continue this same commitment to excellence in exercise oncology programming.
To this end, we are working to create a national training ground to train, certify, and implement our program of exercise oncology all over the world! Our mission is to prepare and qualify health professionals to plan and implement safe and effective exercise programs for individuals who are battling cancer.
The need is great. There are approximately 15.5 million cancer survivors in the country. Right now, less than 5% of them meet the recommended guidelines for daily physical activity.
Our trainers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and our nationally recognized Exercise Oncology Instructor certification. Therefore, they are adequately trained to develop and administer whole body exercises designed to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. In addition, they encourage exercise adherence to help improve health-related physical fitness and manage disease.
They are difference makers.
Their high quality care and expertise is what is going to create a national mind-shift, making exercise a part of the national standard of care.
I share this with you for a few reasons.
For starters, I am proud of them! When Maple Tree first began nearly 8 years ago, exercise oncology was not a recognizable term. As a Professor of Exercise Science, I know first-hand that it was not commonly taught as part of an accredited curriculum.
The trainers who have come to Maple Tree have stepped out of their comfort zone into unfamiliar, and largely unchartered, territory. They have made a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of patients. I have no doubt that Maple Tree would not be where it is, or even what it is, today if not for them!
Second, I share this to assure our patients that they are in the very best hands when they come to Maple Tree. As the field of exercise oncology becomes more mainstream, I want our patients to believe, without any shadow of a doubt, that they are working with the best this field has to offer. They can rest in the knowledge that our evidenced-based programs are safe, effective, and will improve their lives – no matter what their current health status may be.
Finally, I share this in hopes of speaking directly to the future trainers of Maple Tree. As I said earlier, I believe that (by the grace of God), we will grow across the country – possibly even the world.
Maybe someone, somewhere is reading this, and you live in a town where we do not yet serve. Maybe something deep inside you is stirring. Maybe you are realizing that this is a part of your calling – to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients!
I want to help you achieve your full potential and fulfill God’s purpose in your life! This link will show you how to get started with our nationally-recognized Exercise Oncology Instructor Certification. You can also complete this formto find out about internship and employment opportunities we have available.
Together, we can change the world!