Shannon Miller is the most decorated American gymnast in history.
In her career, she won seven Olympic medals and nine World Championship medals, including two World All-Around Gold Medals — something that no other U.S. athlete has ever accomplished. At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, she helped lead the U.S. to its first ever team gold and won an individual gold medal on the balance beam.
Her achievements make her arguably one of the greatest athletes in U.S. history.
After retiring from gymnastics, Shannon launched her own health and wellness company and a foundation focused on combating childhood obesity. She also hosts her own talk radio show and is the author of several fitness books cook books.
Her life was busy, full and satisfying, when, at the age of 34, she suddenly had the breath knocked out of her. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after doctors discovered a baseball-size tumor. She underwent surgery, followed by nine weeks of chemotherapy.
Shannon says since she was already so involved with women’s health and fitness, she decided early on to be open and public about her battle. She says she wanted to give a voice to something she learned in her own experience — the importance of early detection.
Her cancer was discovered when it was still at stage IA, and doctors have given her a 99 percent chance of non-recurrance.
She says too often, women put off their own health and wellness because they’re too busy taking care of everyone else. Shannon argues that women MUST focus on their own health, through exercise, diet and regular check-ups, in order to be around for their family for years to come.
Shannon reveals the shock she felt when doctors gave her the news that she had ovarian cancer, something many people associate with women in their 60s and beyond.
Plus, she explains why she believes her lifestyle was crucial when it came time for chemo and how it helped her control the uncontrollable — her body’s reaction to the cancer and treatment.
She offers exercise tips for anyone of any athletic level going through chemo, even if it’s simply getting out of bed.
Shannon tells us the results of her latest MRI and shares how this journey has affected her life and family, particularly her 2-year-old son.
Click here to visit Shannon’s new site, Shannon Miller Lifestyle. There, you can check out her health and fitness tips (including her new iPhone and iPad apps) and follow her journey through chemotherapy.