Cancer Survivors Train for Triathlon With Team Phoenix

Kayla Kutz went from chemotherapy and a double mastectomy to training for a triathlon in less than a year, proving that cancer doesn't get the final word on what her body can do.

The 39-year-old mother of four was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025. After completing treatment including radiation and occupational therapy, she joined Team Phoenix through Aurora Health Care to train alongside other survivors.

Team Phoenix is a 14-week fitness program where women cancer survivors train together to complete a triathlon each July. The program welcomes all body types and fitness levels, meeting survivors exactly where they are.

Before her diagnosis, Kutz competed in powerlifting competitions and lived an active lifestyle. Her occupational therapist, Andrea Reynolds, suggested Team Phoenix as a way to reclaim that strength.

Reynolds knows the program's power firsthand. After recommending it to patients for years, she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in 2024 and completed her first triathlon as a survivor in 2025.

"You think, 'Oh, there's no way I could do a triathlon.' Well, you went through cancer treatment, which is really hard, too," Reynolds says. "You can be a triathlete."

Now Reynolds has returned as a mentor, walking alongside current athletes like Kutz. Her unique perspective as a therapist, survivor, and alumni creates a full-circle support system for women navigating life after cancer.

Why This Inspires

The beauty of Team Phoenix isn't just about crossing a finish line. It's about women choosing to reclaim their bodies after cancer tried to take control.

Since the program launched in 2011, more than 525 survivors have trained and competed. Each one proves that treatment doesn't define their limits.

For Kutz, the journey represents getting back to herself. "I wanted to reclaim my life and get my health back to where it was before cancer as much as possible," she shares.

The community aspect transforms individual healing into collective strength. Survivors train together, knowing they're not alone in their battles or their victories.

"Truly, we can do hard things," Kutz says. "We can reclaim our lives."