We’re proud of our members and the amazing things they do on a daily basis. This new feature will highlight one member each month. Click here to see previous members of the month.
Our member of the month for February is Jake Warner. Jake is a long time Private Training member who’s recently returning to training following a recent major surgery.
Name: Jake Warner
Age: 16
What city were you born in Concord, Massachusetts
What do you do when you’re not working out at Athletic Lab (school, hobbies, etc) Play Hockey, read, watch TV and spend time with friends
How did you first hear about Athletic Lab My Mom (she does personal training at AL)
What’s your favorite exercise Power Clean and Jerk
Least exercise favorite Sled Push
Do you mind telling us a little about your surgery and what you’ve been through over the past months? It all started last April. When I was working out and lifting weights, my foot would feel funny. I would feel like my shoe needed to be tied differently. I went to the doctor and she said it was a stress fracture. I was put in the boot. I went back to the doctor and the doctor cleared me to play travel lacrosse. I played the entire summer season, but my foot was hurting so badly the entire time. When the season was over, I went back to the doctor. She took more x-rays and found spots on my foot. So, I went for an MRI and it showed spots on my foot. They referred me to an ortho-oncologist at UNC. I had to do two biopsies. The second biopsy was shipped to Mayo Clinic. They diagnosed me with pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (a rare soft tissue tumor that was cancerous). We went to New York to Cedars Hospital to see other specialists. The general consensus was that I needed an amputation. Unfortunately, radiation would make it worse and there was no chemo that would work for this cancer. On November 23rd, I had an amputation of my left foot and lower leg.
What is it like returning to train at Athletic Lab after your surgery? It’s just like before, but instead of a boot on my foot, I don’t have a foot. I found ways to work around the issue.
What motivates you Trying to strive to be the best I can be.
Any advice for others who are just returning to training following surgery? Don’t dwell on things that come up in your life or live with self pity. Use your disability or problem to drive yourself to become better. Never be embarrassed of who you are just be the best you can!
Jake, you’re such an inspiration to all of us here at AL!