Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Sutton
Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If you know me, you know that I almost always smile. Joy is something I naturally seek, and I try to bring that light into every situation. But during my cancer journey, that smile often hid a lot of pain.
My journey started with what I thought was a routine screening. I had been getting mammograms and ultrasounds since I was 35 due to dense breast tissue, so at 39, it was just another annual checkup. A tech in training performed my mammogram, and the compression was bit more intense than usual. But later that day, I received a call saying everything looked good – no concerns, and a cheerful “Have a Happy 4th of July!”
That weekend, I noticed bruising and a tender nodule. I called my doctor who promptly brought me back in for a reexamination and then assured me that it was a ruptured cyst and prescribed some medication. But something didn’t feel right. The pain worsened, and over the next three months, I kept pushing for answers. Finally, I was sent for a second opinion at UT Medical Center, and from the moment they started my exam, I could sense their concern. Everything moved quickly from there, and within a few days, I got the call that changed my life.
October 16, 2019, I was diagnosed with triple=negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease with no targeted treatments. Within three weeks of my diagnosis, I underwent a double-mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and had a port placed for chemotherapy. I received eight rounds of chemo over a 16-week period and my cocktail included four rounds of Adriamycin (known as “the red devil”), accompanied with Cytoxin, then four rounds of Taxol. In simple words…it was purposeful poison. The treatments were rough. Chemo drained my energy, left me with brain fog, and caused bone pain, making even the most basic movement difficult. Just as I was approaching the final stretch of chemo in March of 2020, Covid-19 hit. Suddenly, I was navigating cancer treatment in isolation, with extra precautions and even more uncertainty.
But even in the hardest moments, I held onto joy. Clinging to my faith, I stayed close to my family and my friends, and I kept working from home to maintain a sense of normalcy. When treatment ended though, I felt lost. I had survived, but I was depleted. That’s when I was introduced to Survivor Fitness, a non-profit organization that aims to help cancer survivors find hope and healing through fitness. It had been two years since my completion of treatment and reconstructive surgery, and while I knew I needed help navigating through the recovery process, I was intimidated to join the program. I honestly wasn’t sure I could do what would be ask of me. But taking that first step turned out to be life-changing. They provided me with 24 one-on-one training sessions at Performance Training, Inc., where I began rebuilding not just my body, but my confidence. Little did I know that what started as a way to regain my health would turn into something so much bigger. I rediscovered my love for fitness and found a community that encouraged and inspired me.
Fast forward to today, and I’m living proof that joy and resilience can coexist. What started as a way to regain strength turned into a passion for fitness, competition and a new way of living life with intention. I’ve gone from struggling to find the energy for a 20-minute walk to competing as a hybrid athlete. I completed a DEKA trifecta in 2023 and 2024, and just recently ventured into the world of Hyrox fitness racing. This past November, I celebrated my 5-year cancer-free anniversary with my first Hyrox race in Chicago. And it was absolutely amazing! Crossing that finish line for the very first time flooded me with overwhelming emotion. In that moment, I wasn’t just racing for me – I was racing to honor all that I’ve overcome, letting God’s light shine through the struggles and victories alike.
Cancer took a lot from me, but it also showed me the power of seeking joy in the midst of pain. I’ve learned that strength isn’t just about endurance – it’s about faith, perspective, and the people who lift you up along the way. And through it all, I keep smiling – because now, my smile isn’t hiding pain. It’s reflecting the life I fought for.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was definitely not a smooth road, but I’ve learned that the hardest paths can lead to beautiful blessings. Multiple surgeries along with chemo took a huge toll on me. I experienced extreme fatigue, brain fog that still lingers today, and a resting heart rate so high that walking felt like a full on workout. However, losing my hair was more difficult than I imagined. I could hide the scars on my body, but being bald made me feel vulnerable in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
Mentally and emotionally, the struggles were just as tough. The fear of recurrence, the grief of what cancer had taken from me, and the exhaustion of revisiting those “what if” thoughts every time I went for a doctor’s visit, scan or bloodwork.
Even after treatment ended, the challenges didn’t disappear. People often think that once you’re cancer-free, life just picks up where it left off. But survivorship comes with its own battles – finding a new normal, dealing with the emotional scars, and figuring out who you are after facing something so life-altering. But looking back, I see how the struggles shaped me. They deepened my faith, strengthened my resilience, and gave me a greater appreciation for every single breath.
Healing takes a village, and I am beyond grateful for mine. I know without doubt that my incredible medical team was divinely orchestrated. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication guided me through every step of my diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
My journey has consisted of many highs and many lows, but just as I remember my mom whispering in my ear before that first surgery…”promise me, you won’t give up,” I never stopped fighting. I persevered and I am so incredibly blessed – not just to have survived, but to thrive. To have found a life filled with purpose, joy and adventure on the other side.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a licensed TN Real Estate Broker based in Knoxville, TN, with 20 years of experience. I specialize in the negotiation processes of buying or selling real estate, along with contract management and establishing HOA accounts. While I enjoy selling real estate, I am most fulfilled by giving back.
As a cancer survivor, the Survivor Fitness Foundation played a pivotal role in my recovery, helping me rebuild – physically, mentally and emotionally. Now, I’m honored to help raise awareness and funds to ensure other survivors in and around our community have the same opportunity to reclaim their health and well-being.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: authenticallyamanda979
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-sutton-5841a5151
