Kathleen Whitten
Rock Solid Since May 2018
In 1999, Kathleen was diagnosed with acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. At that time, she was told she wouldn’t live; she beat the odds. She’s also suffered scoliosis since she was a teenager and has lived through 11 spinal reconstructive surgeries, the last being 14 hours and she flatlined 2 x without sufficient oxygen. Her back is completely fused from the Thoracic spine to her sacrum.
Kathleen lives in chronic muscle, nerve, bone and joint pain; she often starts out with a 4/5 out of 10 on a pain scale and that pain slowly rises by the end of the day. She also battled medication complications from getting off heavy narcotics and benzodiazepines. You’d never know Kathleen battled this pain if you came face to face with her. Not only does she look incredibly healthy and fit, but she’s always very positive, happy, upbeat, and vibrant!
Kathleen initially came to JKFITNESS in an effort to gain strength, avoid neck/cervical spine fusion, decrease pain, relieve stress, and improve her overall fitness.
Kathleen gives 100% during her training sessions of which she’s consistent with JKFITNESS 2 x per week for hour sessions. She’s also very active outside of JKFITNESS; consistently walks, hikes and enjoys the outdoors. She’s increased her muscular strength which has helped manage her pain through increased joint stability and decreased joint stress. She maintains a lean/fit figure with 14.1% body fat. She can do full push-ups with ease, hold a plank for well over a minute, bench presses 25lbs for a 6 rep max and row 30lb DBs for a 6 RM. She’s been completely free of benzodiazepines for over 2 years. Outside of JKFITNESS she’s an advocate of healthy living through her profession as a Life Coach. Kathleen offers free podcasts and daily meditations at kathleenwhitten.org She’s also a wife and mother of two.