The power of community and stepping out of your comfort zone - for cancer survivors

There is nothing quite like a shared adventure, challenging yourself, and meeting other people who have also experienced the same cancer journey

There’s something quite powerful about doing something you didn’t really feel like doing.

We’ve all had those moments — when you’re tired, a bit flat, still recovering from something physically or emotionally, and the idea of showing up to anything feels like a stretch too far. Especially after cancer, or during recovery, when your energy can feel unpredictable and your reserves a little lower than they used to be.

And yet, sometimes, those are the moments that give the most back.

Recently, I found myself standing on the start line of La Mégevanne Trail Running Festival, surrounded by 750 women. All there to run, to challenge themselves, and to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

If I’m honest, I hadn’t really felt like going. My body was still tired from a race a couple of weeks before, and I questioned whether I had it in me. But I went anyway — and it turned into one of those experiences that stays with you.

Not because of the result, or the time, or even the course itself.

But because of the people.

The power of shared experience

There is something incredibly special about being surrounded by people who just get it.

In everyday life, it can sometimes feel like you’re carrying your experience quietly. Whether that’s a cancer diagnosis, recovery, the emotional impact, or the long tail of what comes afterwards — it isn’t always visible to the outside world.

But when you come together with others who have walked similar paths, there’s an unspoken understanding.

You don’t have to explain everything. You don’t have to justify how you feel. You’re simply part of something shared.

Events like this aren’t just about running. They’re about connection. About being in a space where strength looks different for everyone, but is recognised and respected in all its forms.

And when you’re surrounded by hundreds of others showing up, each with their own story, it’s hard not to feel lifted by it.

Community creates courage

One of the most remarkable things about being part of a group like this is how it quietly pushes you beyond what you thought you could do.

Not in an overwhelming or pressured way — but in a supportive, encouraging one.

You look around and see other women showing up despite their own challenges. You hear snippets of conversations, stories of resilience, moments of vulnerability. And something shifts.

You think, if they can do this, maybe I can too.

That’s the magic of community. It gives you courage you might not find on your own.

For cancer survivors in particular, that can be incredibly powerful. Because stepping back into physical challenges — whether that’s running, walking, swimming, or something entirely new — can feel daunting.

Your body may feel different. Your confidence may have taken a knock. You may question your limits.

But doing it alongside others changes the experience completely.

It becomes less about performance, and more about participation. Less about proving something, and more about discovering what’s possible now.

Challenging yourself — gently

There’s often a misconception that challenge has to mean pushing to extremes. But after cancer, challenge can — and should — look different.

Sometimes, the challenge is simply showing up.

Sometimes, it’s trying something new for the first time in years.

Sometimes, it’s trusting your body again.

And sometimes, it’s allowing yourself to be part of something bigger, even when you feel unsure.

Being in that environment, surrounded by energy, encouragement, and shared purpose, makes it easier to take those steps. You don’t have to be the fastest. You don’t have to be the strongest. You just have to be willing.

And that willingness is where growth begins.

More than just an event

What made the day so memorable wasn’t just the run itself — it was the atmosphere. The sense of collective purpose. The knowledge that everyone there was contributing to something meaningful.

Raising awareness. Supporting charities. Starting conversations that genuinely matter.

It’s easy to forget, especially if you’re feeling well now, how important that awareness is. But the reality is that breast cancer remains something that affects so many lives.

In a group of 750 women, statistically, around 100 will face a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives.

That’s a sobering thought.

But it’s also why these events matter so much. Because awareness leads to early detection. Early detection saves lives. And community plays a huge role in spreading that message — in a way that feels human, supportive, and real.

Why it’s worth saying yes

If you’re a cancer survivor, or navigating life after treatment, it can be very easy to stay within your comfort zone. To stick with what feels safe and manageable.

And there’s absolutely a place for that.

But there is also something incredibly valuable in gently stepping outside of it.

Saying yes to something new. Joining a group. Signing up for an event. Meeting people who understand, even if you’ve never met them before.

Because you might just find that what feels like a stretch at the start becomes something that lifts you far more than you expected.

You might find connection.

You might find confidence.

You might even find a new sense of strength — not just physically, but emotionally too.

A gentle nudge

You don’t have to run a trail race with 750 people.

But maybe there’s something small you’ve been thinking about. A class, a group, a walk, an event. Something that feels just a little bit outside your usual routine.

Consider this your nudge.

You don’t have to feel ready. You don’t have to feel full of energy or confidence.

You just have to be open to the possibility that it might be worth it.

Because sometimes, the days you least feel like showing up… are the ones that remind you just how strong — and how connected — you really are.

I won’t ever be the same runner I was before cancer and menopause. But I am still very proud of the level I have got to, given the challenges my body has faced. Sometimes it’s nice to acknowledge that with a race, and see where I stand!