ABOUT
NASM-CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
NASM-CERTIFIED CORRECTIVE EXERCISE SPECIALIST
NASH-CERTIFIED NUTRITION COACH
On September 30, 2020, I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma at 37. Less than a month later, I underwent a radical nephrectomy, removing a thumb-sized tumor along with my left kidney. I learned I had chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), a rare form of kidney cancer. Before my cancer diagnosis, I was on track to becoming a fitness coach and accelerating my kickboxing training. I had finally reached a comfortable place with my nutrition after confronting issues around disordered eating and body image during the pandemic. But all that changed in September. Desperate to maintain my progress, I researched extensively and made plans to ease back into working out. I found support to keep me grounded and motivated. But I found little information for people like me—muscular athletes with one kidney. Most resources focused on diets for people with chronic kidney disease, which doesn't apply to my situation. That's why I started Stillwell Fitness. I wanted to help others who, like me, have been misled by misconceptions. Whether it's doctors advising less protein or trainers pushing supplements, I've heard it all. Every day, I talk to people who feel lost due to the lack of information and representation. We are changing the game. Many of us are challenging stereotypes in natural bodybuilding, proving that myths about protein, kidneys, and muscle building are wrong. Whether you lost a kidney to cancer or disease, donated one, or were born with one, I’ve got your back. I’ll share my experiences, offer research and insights, provide practical tips, and answer any questions. Having one kidney won’t stop you, and I’ll do anything I can to help you reach your goals. - Coach Anna Founder, Stillwell Fitness LLC
Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (or ChRCC) is a rare form of kidney cancer, accounting for roughly 5 percent of cases Although there’ve been significant advances in kidney cancer research, there is still so much that’s unknown about this rare subtype—how it forms, why it forms, its common risk factors, the patient profile, effective treatments. In most cases, surgery is the only answer; in others, it’s holding on to hope that a trial drug will work. There are no guideline-recommended treatments for ChRCC. In 2023, roughly 82,000 new renal cancer cases will be diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society. Roughly 15,000 will die from the disease. Most people who have kidney cancer are older, with 64 years old being the average age at diagnosis. Kidney cancer is very uncommon in people younger than 45 years old. Coach Anna was 37 when she was diagnosed. She is now 41.
COACH ANNA'S STORY
MORE ON KIDNEY CANCER
I started Stillwell Fitness to create a supportive space in the fitness world for people with one kidney. Recognizing how rare it is to find coaches who understand their unique needs, I focus on helping them build muscle and transform their physiques, offering guidance and advocacy based on my personal experience. My goal with Stillwell Fitness is to change the way people think about bodybuilding with one kidney, making sure no one feels alone or lost in their journey to health and strength. I am here to offer support every step of the way.
SUPPORT KIDNEY CANCER RESEARCH
SUPPORT THYROID CANCER RESEARCH
Coach Anna's cancer story didn't end with the loss of her left kidney. In May 2023, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) — less than 3 years after having stage I chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Given that papillary thyroid carcinoma is also a slow-growing disease, it’s likely Coach Anna's two cancers existed at the same time. Her case is not unique; researchers have studied four known cases of concurrent PTC and RCC. What’s more, in 2022, researchers published a review of the bidirectional association between thyroid and renal cancers. And through the years, multiple studies have mapped out the effect of thyroid hormones on kidney function. (It’s also known that people with kidney cancer have an increased risk of getting thyroid cancer—and vice versa.) Yet, only a handful of doctors are aware of this link; several others dismiss the association. Because of her second cancer experience, Coach Anna now has another mission: to raise awareness about the link between the thyroid and the kidneys to inspire new research that leads to breakthrough treatments. Help support her cause by donating to thyroid cancer research.
ON THE NATURAL BODYBUILDING STAGE
