Learning to Trust Your Body Again - Movement is Key for Recovery
- Moyo Institute, Inc.
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
What happens when the body you’ve always known suddenly feels like a stranger? When illness disrupts not just your physical health, but your fundamental relationship with the vessel that carries you through life?
In our latest episode of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies podcast, we sit down with Valencia Balkcom, a certified athletic trainer, cancer exercise specialist, and nutritionist based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose career includes helping cancer patients and survivors navigate one of the most challenging journeys imaginable—learning to trust their bodies again.
When Your Body Becomes Your Ally
Valencia brings a unique combination of expertise to her work, blending athletic training, Zumba instruction, and nutritional counseling to create holistic programs that address both the physical and emotional aspects of cancer recovery. But what sets her apart isn’t just her certifications—it’s her deep understanding that healing isn’t just about getting stronger; it’s about rebuilding a relationship that may have been shattered by diagnosis, treatment, and the profound changes that come with fighting cancer.
“Movement becomes medicine,” Valencia explains, “but first, we have to help people believe their bodies can be trusted again.”
Beyond Traditional Fitness
This isn’t your typical fitness conversation. Valencia walks us through how she designs personalized exercise programs that meet people exactly where they are—whether they’re newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or years into survivorship. She shares how she evaluates health behaviors and risk factors, addresses common challenges like fatigue and balance issues, and helps clients manage pain through thoughtful movement.
What makes Valencia’s approach so powerful is her recognition that cancer doesn’t just affect the body—it affects how we feel about our bodies. Her work goes beyond physical rehabilitation to emotional restoration, helping clients rebuild confidence and trust in their own strength.
The Mind-Body Connection in Healing
In our conversation, Valencia reveals how she helps clients prepare mentally for their recovery journey alongside the physical preparation. She discusses the role of nutrition in supporting healing, shares strategies for managing treatment-related symptoms, and offers wisdom for both patients and their support systems.
Perhaps most importantly, she addresses what it means to “love your body” when that body may feel like it’s betrayed you through illness. Her insights on rebuilding trust, finding strength in vulnerability, and discovering new ways to honor your body’s resilience are both profound and practical.
A Message of Hope and Empowerment
Whether you’re personally navigating a health challenge, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in the powerful intersection of movement and healing, this episode offers valuable insights and hope. Valencia’s work reminds us that our bodies are not just vessels to be fixed—they’re partners in our healing journey, capable of remarkable resilience and worthy of our trust.
Listen Now
Join us for this deeply moving conversation about cancer, recovery, and the transformative power of movement. Valencia Balkcom’s expertise and compassion shine through every moment, offering both practical guidance and emotional support for anyone learning to trust their body again. Available now on all major podcast platforms.
The Love Letters 2 Our Bodies podcast explores the complex, beautiful, and ever-evolving relationships we have with our physical selves. Through intimate conversations with experts, survivors, and everyday people, we celebrate the resilience of the human body and the journey toward self-acceptance and healing.
Subscribe to never miss an episode:
Click the links below this post to follow us on Social Media.
Have a story to share or want to suggest a guest? E-mail us at info@moyoinstitute.org
Comments