'You Have Cancer'— Three Words You Never Want to Hear

SUMMARY

Being told you have cancer changes everything—instantly. This article shares my personal story of how I heard those words, what led up to them, what followed, and why fitness, mindset, and personal responsibility matter more than ever when facing a cancer diagnosis.

Internal Links (insert live URLs on website):
• Fitness Saved My Life
• Common Sense Nutrition
• How to Exercise With Heart Disease
• My Stroke: August 2024
•My Experience with Open Heart Surgery

There are four words you never want to hear.

You have cancer there.

I’ve heard them. And I can tell you this—nothing prepares you for the moment they are spoken. Time slows down. The room feels smaller. Your mind jumps ahead while your body stays frozen in place.

Cancer is not just a diagnosis. It’s an interruption.

How I Got There

In late 2023, I first noticed a small amount of blood in my urine. It wasn’t constant, and it wasn’t painful, so I didn’t think it was seri...

Metabolic Disease:

What It Is, Why It Happens, and How Seniors Can Fight Back

By Ron La Fournie — SeniorsFitnesswithRon.com

Metabolic disease is a term most people have heard, but very few understand — even though millions of us are living with it every day. In my coaching work with seniors, and in my own journey to my 79^th year, I’ve learned that metabolic disease is one of the most important health challenges of our time. And the truth is that many people don’t even know they have it until the symptoms have piled up so high they can no longer be ignored.

Metabolic disease isn’t a single diagnosis. It’s a cluster of problems — each one slowly nudging the body off course. Left alone, they rob us of energy, mobility, and, eventually, our independence. With the right mix of lifestyle changes, they can be slowed, improved, and even reversed.

WHAT IS METABOLIC DISEASE?

Metabolic disease (also called metabolic syndrome) is a collection of related health issues that tend to occur toget...

Causes of Aging and Death

By Ron La Fournie – SeniorsFitnesswithRon.com

Most people don’t like talking about death. I understand that. But avoiding the topic doesn’t change the reality. One day, every one of us will face our final chapter—so the real question is: How much influence do we have over how that part of our life unfolds?

More than most people think.

When I wrote ‘Fitness Saved My Life’, I talked a lot about personal responsibility—how small daily decisions can change the entire trajectory of your health, what I called, ‘Raising My Aging Curve’. That message matters even more when we look at what actually ends our lives. Not to scare anyone, but to empower you. When you understand the causes of death, you also understand the causes of life—longer life, better life, and stronger life.

The Big Four

Across Canada, the United States, and most of the developed world, four categories account for the majority of deaths:

1. Heart Disease

Still the number one caus...

What would you do if your heart failed, you had a stroke, and then you got cancer — all after retirement?

Ron La Fournie chose to fight back — with fitness, both Exercise and Nutrition.

At 78, Ron is not only surviving — he’s thriving. As a certified senior fitness trainer and a three-time medical survivor, he shares the path that gave him strength, hope, and a second chance.

Inside this book, you’ll learn:

• How Ron rebuilt his body and mind after surgery, stroke, and cancer
• Simple fitness routines that work — even at 60, 70, or beyond
• A simple logical approach to nutrition that keeps on learning & growing
• The mindset that keeps him going — and how it can change your life too

This isn’t just a recovery story. It’s a roadmap for thriving in the second half of life.

About the Author

Ron La Fournie is a certified senior fitness trainer and a three-time medical survivor. With decades of real-world experience and the heart of a coach, he helps seniors stay strong, mobile, an...

How to Exercise with Heart Disease

By Ron La Fournie

If you’ve been told you have heart disease, your first instinct may be to slow down or stop altogether. Many people do. They avoid walking, lifting, and even basic movement out of fear of making things worse.

That reaction is understandable — but in many cases, it’s exactly the wrong response.

When done properly, exercise is not something to fear with heart disease. It becomes one of the most important tools you have to protect your health, improve your quality of life, and regain confidence in your body.

This is not about pushing hard or training like an athlete. It’s about learning how to move safely, progressively, and intelligently.

Get Medical Clearance First

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, or you’ve had a heart event or surgery, you must start with medical guidance. Ask clear, direct questions:

• What types of exercise are safe for me right now?
  • Are there movements or intensities I should avoid?
  • Is ther
...