Bryan’s Story

On March 25, 2015 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  I was 41, I had no risk factors, I ate well, and I exercised multiple times a week.  This diagnosis seemed to come out of thin air and blindsided me. 

It turned everything I knew upside down.  I was admitted to the hospital on April 1, 2015 for my first of many rounds of chemotherapy. I was in the hospital for 27 days for this round of chemo. 

During this time, they reset my immune system back to zero and subsequently I lost 40 pounds, all sense of taste, energy, coherent thought, and was no longer interested in eating. I was interested in sleeping and surviving. For the next 6 months I went through total of 5 rounds of chemotherapy. 

My last bone marrow biopsy and blood work revealed I was in complete remission. When my treatment was completed in September 2015 I began my long road to recovery. I did not know what this looked like, but I knew I wanted to get back to being a part of my family, playing with my kids, and doing what a love (surgery and medicine) I needed help.

I spent my life looking to God for help, peace, guidance and He has never failed me. Even now in the midst of my trial. My wife and family were a tremendous support and encouragement during this process and recovery but now I needed help with my physical body recuperation so I could function in my demanding field.

At the time I was a member of a health fitness club and I asked for recommendations for a physical trainer in my unique situation and Thomas Lowe’s name was given to me.

After my first training session with Tom I knew that he was the trainer for my needs and recuperation back to physical health. Tom’s dictum for training are functional improvement, strength, conditioning, and not getting injured in doing so.

My request to him was that I be in a state of physical strength again where I can function and stand for many hours at work both in clinic and surgery, and more importantly, be able to wrestle with my children again without getting injured.

His dedication to core strength training and conditioning tailored to each individual person's needs and abilities are intelligent, thoughtful, and beyond compare to others in his field.

He knows how hard to push you, he knows when to hold back, and he sets realistic goals for you to reach yours.  I returned back to work June 1, 2016, and I have continued to train with Tom since that time. When I went through chemotherapy I lost 40 pounds of muscle mass, my immune system, and my stamina.

Without Tom, I truly believe that I would not be where I am at today physically and able to return to work with no disability and do what I love again. As an added benefit I was also able to wrestle my 14 and 11-year-old boys to the ground without difficulty and prove to them Dad is still strong. 

He is excellent at what he does, and I thank God that He put him in my path of recovery.