From Cancer to Coaching: Why I Became a Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist
Updated: Oct 14
Written by Rosy Allan, BSc (Hons), ANutr
Registered Associate Nutritionist | Level 3 Personal Trainer | Level 4 Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist
When my mum was diagnosed with cancer, our world changed.
Just a few months later, I received my own breast cancer diagnosis.
Suddenly, we were both navigating hospital appointments, treatment, uncertainty and all the physical and emotional challenges that come with cancer.
It's something neither of us could have anticipated, and certainly not something we would have chosen to experience together.
But having each other through such a difficult time brought a particular kind of understanding. We knew what the other was going through in a way that's sometimes difficult to explain to someone who hasn't experienced cancer themselves.
Our experiences changed our lives in many ways. For me, they also changed the direction of my career.
Sharing our story on BBC Radio Bristol
My mum and I had the opportunity to share our experiences on BBC Radio Bristol, speaking with presenter Joe Lemer about our diagnoses, treatment and what life had been like for us both.
It was a chance to reflect on everything we'd been through together and how those experiences had shaped our lives.
I've included the interview below for anyone who would like to hear our story in more detail.
Why I chose cancer exercise rehabilitation
Before my diagnosis, I had already completed my degree in Public Health Nutrition and qualified as a personal trainer.
Exercise, nutrition and helping people improve their health were important parts of my life.
But experiencing cancer myself gave me a completely different perspective.
I understood the science behind exercise, yet suddenly I was dealing with a body that didn't respond in the way it used to.
Fatigue, muscle weakness and physical limitations made some of the activities I'd previously taken for granted much more difficult.
I wanted to rebuild my strength and confidence, but I also began to understand how daunting that process could feel.
For someone without a background in exercise, I could only imagine how difficult it might be to know where to begin.
What struck me was the gap between finishing treatment and feeling ready to return to everyday life.
People often expect you to pick up where you left off. But your body may have changed, your energy levels may be different, and the things that once felt straightforward can suddenly seem overwhelming.
I wanted to help bridge that gap.
My experience inspired me to complete my Level 4 Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation qualification through CanRehab, building on my existing qualifications in nutrition and personal training.
I wanted to be able to offer people more than encouragement to get active.
I wanted to provide knowledgeable, individualised support, helping people find practical ways to exercise around the challenges cancer treatment can leave behind.
Bringing personal experience into my work
Today, cancer exercise rehabilitation is an important part of what I do at ROSY Nutrition & Personal Training.
I support people living with and beyond cancer who want to rebuild strength, improve their physical confidence and find a manageable way back into exercise.
Some people are beginning again after treatment. Others have been living with its effects for years.
I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be when your body doesn't feel like your own, particularly when you're desperate to feel stronger and more independent.
Of course, everybody's experience of cancer is different.
My own journey doesn't mean I automatically understand every client's challenges. But it has made me particularly aware of the importance of listening, adapting and recognising that rehabilitation isn't a one-size-fits-all process.
I believe there's real value in combining professional qualifications, scientific knowledge and lived experience. It's the approach I bring to every person I work with.
Looking forward
Cancer changed so much for my mum and me.
It brought experiences neither of us wanted, but it also influenced the direction I chose to take with my work.
What began as a personal experience has become a professional commitment to helping other people feel stronger and more confident after cancer.
Through ROSY, I now offer specialist cancer exercise rehabilitation online throughout the UK, alongside premium one-to-one sessions in Bristol.
My hope is that people who work with me feel listened to, supported and reassured that exercise can often be adapted to their circumstances rather than simply ruled out.
Nobody should feel that they have to navigate rebuilding their physical confidence completely alone.
If you'd like to learn more about my approach, you're welcome to explore the Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation services at ROSY.
Explore Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation at ROSY.
References
BBC Radio Bristol. (2025). Joe Lemer: Rosy and her mum's cancer journey. [radio programme] BBC Sounds, 8 June. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d9wl [Accessed 12 June 2025].
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