Fitness Retreat
Stronger Together.
Every spring, Team Survivor Northwest hosts a Fitness Retreat at the beautiful IslandWood Retreat Center on Bainbridge Island. This retreat is for women anywhere in their cancer journey.
It’s a weekend filled with joy, empowerment, and community!
Here’s what you can expect:
- Powerful speakers
- Unique fitness classes of all intensities
- Special opportunities to bond with new and old friends
- Delicious dining and beautiful accommodation
Registration opens at the beginning of every year.
Schedule
Below is a sample schedule for the Stronger Together Fitness Retreat. While the schedule changes each year, this provides a good overview of what the weekend is typically like.
8:00 – 10:15 AM – Check-In
9:00 – 10:00 AM – Session 2
Explore dynamic classes designed to energize, challenge, and inspire - with options suited for all fitness levels.10:15 – 10:30 AM – Meet and Greet with Refreshments
10:40 – 10:50 AM – Welcome
10:50 – 11:50 AM – Keynote Speaker
12:00 – 12:30 PM – Session 2
Choose from hands-on workshops and movement-based sessions led by knowledgeable instructors ready to meet you where you are.
12:45 – 1:45 PM – Lunch
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Session 3
Hear from inspiring speakers sharing insights, powerful stories, and tools you can take home with you.
4:00 – 5:00 PM – Session 4
Explore dynamic classes designed to energize, challenge, and inspire — with options suited for all fitness levels.
5:00 – 6:00 PM – Session 5
Choose from hands-on workshops and movement-based sessions led by knowledgeable instructors ready to meet you where you are.
6:30 – 7:30 PM – Dinner
8:00 – 9:00 PM – Evening Entertainment
Round out your day with interactive fun! Past activities include line dancing, art projects, and more.
9:00 – 9:45 PM – S’mores, Games, and Socializing
7:00 – 7:50 AM – Morning Yoga
8:00 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast
9:30 – 10:45 AM – Session 6
Explore dynamic classes designed to energize, challenge, and inspire - with options suited for all fitness levels.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Session 7
Choose from hands-on workshops and movement-based sessions led by knowledgeable instructors ready to meet you where you are.
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 PM – Concluding Speaker
1:45 – 4:00 PM – Check-Out
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Optional Trail Time
Speakers and Instructors
The Stronger Together Fitness Retreat brings together inspiring speakers and motivating instructors for an unforgettable weekend. Below is a glimpse of some of the incredible speakers and instructors who have joined us at past retreats.
Belle Ampoan is a fitness instructor, martial arts coach, and breast cancer patient who has participated in Team Survivor Northwest retreats for three years. She teaches at Alpha Martial Arts and Barre3 in Seattle, creating inclusive, beginner-friendly classes that blend martial arts and wellness to empower women and gender-diverse participants with confidence, safety, and joy.
Gretchen is an oncology dietitian with over 20 years of experience and the founder of Integrating Cancer Nutrition, where she supports people living with chronic illness. She spent nearly two decades at Fred Hutch Cancer Center (clinical care and research) and has presented nationally on nutrition and cancer survivorship. She also contributed to Cook for Your Life and Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice.
Hayley earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2014 and is a partner and Clinic Director at Kitsap Physical Therapy’s Bainbridge Island location. She has over a decade of experience in oncology care, lymphedema, and pelvic health, is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) through Klose Training, and is dedicated to advancing the specialty through mentorship.
Mariana is a NASM-certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, and a professional belly dancer with over 15 years of experience, including 10 years of teaching. Trained in Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, she teaches classes and workshops across the Northwest, helping people build strength and body awareness. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, dancing, and family time.
Dr. Sarah Court is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who offers in-person and online sessions blending physical therapy with yoga, Pilates, and strength training. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021, she created a free online exercise series for those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment and co-created Lift for Longevity, a bone density course for women.