Steven Smith during CrossFit Open Workout 24.1 I Photo courtesy of Steven Smith
\nSmith was 50 at the time of his diagnosis.
\n“The doctor basically said if I was a normal 50-year-old, we would be having a different conversation,” he continued.
\nThankfully, Smith was atypical. He’d been generally active for most of his life and had spent the previous two years doing CrossFit — which he’d started to recover from an entirely different medical malady.
\nIn 2020, Smith developed double pneumonia after contracting COVID-19, consequently losing somewhere between 20% and 30% of his lung tissue. Once recovered, he started CrossFit to rebuild his lung capacity.
\n“When I first went in, I would have to take a big hit of my inhaler because my lungs were still crap,” Smith recalled.
\nBy 2022, he was doing the CrossFit Open as prescribed — and his fitness would prove to be a lifesaving buffer against sickness once the cancer came along.
\n“I could have more aggressive treatment because I could handle it; my body could take it,” Smith said.
\nAfter his diagnosis, Smith had about two months of testing before treatment could begin.
\n“So I took that opportunity to prepare,” he said.
\nAnd by “prepare,” he meant “get even more fit.” Between October and December, Smith put on about 20 pounds of muscle training at CrossFit Asteria, starting treatment with 225 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame. After just four weeks of radiation and chemo, he’d dropped to 172 pounds.
\nSmith’s 53-pound loss is an example of cachexia, a muscle-wasting syndrome responsible for up to 30% of deaths in cancer patients. As Dr. Gabrielle Lyon said at the 2024 CrossFit for Health Summit in Austin, Texas, “muscle is the currency of life,” and thankfully, Smith built up emergency reserves.
\nAnd the cancer-fighting elements of exercise extend beyond just the preservation of muscle mass.
\nAlso at the Summit, Dr. Rhonda Patrick spoke about the “shearing forces of blood flow,” in which faster blood flow — induced by exercise — kills circulating tumor cells.
\n“They can’t handle the stress like normal cells can, and they die,” she said.
\nSmith finished treatment in late February 2023, left with side effects including loss of hearing (he now wears hearing aids), nerve damage, and scoliosis.
\n“But without CrossFit, those things would have been so much more severe,” he said.
\nSmith returned to the gym in March of 2023, feeding tube “flopping around.”
\n“I was barely able to back-squat the bar,” he said.
\nJust over a year later, Smith celebrated his fourth CrossFit Open, which he completed as prescribed and cancer-free.
\n“I’m determined not to let cancer win,” he posted to Instagram.
\nThat’s not all he’s determined to do. Smith — who holds five degrees, works as an educator and public speaker for NASA, and is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer — is now working on a doctorate in public health.
\nThe goal, he said, is to help bridge the gap between fitness and healthcare and educate medical doctors about CrossFit.
\n“One of the things … I took most from the Health Summit and one of the things that I want to do when I finish my doctorate and I’m really able to be in that space in an official way is make those connections,” he said.
\nUntil then, he educates by advocating for the power of fitness — even when 100% prevention is impossible. After all, Smith’s cancer was not the result of lifestyle choices. He exercises, eats a nutritious diet, and doesn’t drink or smoke.
\nSome might say that’s a reason not to care. Why bother with healthy habits if the big C comes for you regardless?
\n“My treatment tolerance, my recovery after, and being here standing in front of you today is because of my fitness level,” Smith said. “And my fitness level is because of CrossFit.”
\n","floatPosition":"floatRight","floatWidth":"floatWidthHalf"}},{"name":"Button","props":{"variant":"primary","children":"CHRONICLES FROM THE CROSSFIT FOR HEALTH SUMMIT","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/chronicles-from-the-crossfit-for-health-summit"}},{"name":"Button","props":{"variant":"primary","children":"CROSSFIT FOR HEALTH 2024 LECTURE SERIES","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/health/2024-crossfit-for-health-lecture-series?utm_source=owned&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=crossfit"}},{"name":"TextBlock","props":{"children":"Brittney Saline is Senior Writer and Editor for CrossFit, LLC. Previously, she was a writer and editor for the CrossFit Journal. She’s been sharing powerful stories from and for the CrossFit community since 2012, covering topics ranging from problems with healthcare and Big Pharma to CrossFit’s potential for reversing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease to discourses on femininity and musculature. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her pug, Leo. Got a story to share? Email Brittney here.
\n","floatPosition":"floatRight","floatWidth":"floatWidthHalf"}}]},"header":{"brandBarLabelText":"Brand menu","datePicker":{"buttonLabelText":"toggle date picker","monthText":"Month","navLabelText":"workout date picker","showNextMonthLabelText":"Next month","showPreviousMonthLabelText":"Previous month","titleText":"Find A Workout","todayButtonText":"Go to Today","yearText":"Year"},"desktopLogoWidth":"200","findABoxLink":{"url":"/find-a-box","text":"Find a Box"},"mainsiteCtaLink":{"url":"https://www.crossfit.com/map","text":"Find a Gym"},"headerLabelText":"Site navigation","logoLabelText":"Go to home page","logoURI":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/29104438/crossfit-logo.svg","mainMenuLabelText":"Main menu","menuText":"Menu","search":{"submitButtonText":"Go","searchResultsLabelText":"Get search results","searchTitleText":"Search "}},"footer":{"copyrightText":"© 2024 CrossFit, LLC. CrossFit, Fittest on Earth, 3...2...1...Go! CrossFit Games, and Sport of Fitness are trademarks of CrossFit, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved.","emailOfTheDay":{"descriptionText":"Subscribe to the Workout of the Day","emailLabelText":"Subscribe to the Workout of the Day","emailMeButtonText":"Subscribe","emailPlaceholderText":"your@email.com","invalidEmailText":"Please enter a valid email address.","submitErrorText":"An error occurred. Please try again later.","successText":"Thanks for signing up. Your first email is on its way!"},"findAGym":{"descriptionText":"Start your fitness journey today and get healthy.","headerText":"Find a gym today!","link":{"text":"Find a gym near you","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/map"}},"image":{"src":{"1536x1536":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg.jpg","1536x1536Height":483,"1536x1536Width":1536,"2048x2048":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg.jpg","2048x2048Height":528,"2048x2048Width":1680,"hero":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg.jpg","heroHeight":503,"heroWidth":1600,"heroLarge":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg.jpg","heroLargeHeight":528,"heroLargeWidth":1680,"large":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg-1024x322.jpg","largeHeight":322,"largeWidth":1024,"medium":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg-768x241.jpg","mediumHeight":241,"mediumWidth":768,"mediumLarge":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg-768x241.jpg","mediumLargeHeight":241,"mediumLargeWidth":768,"small":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg-300x94.jpg","smallHeight":94,"smallWidth":300,"thumbnail":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/07182511/kettlebell-bg-150x150.jpg","thumbnailHeight":150,"thumbnailWidth":150}},"legalLabelText":"Legal Links"},"siteOptions":{"needsFetched":false,"header":{"desktopLinks":[{"below":[{"id":93961,"parent":"93960","target":"_self","text":"What is CrossFit?","url":"/what-is-crossfit"},{"id":93962,"parent":"93960","target":"_self","text":"Find a Gym","url":"/map"}],"id":93960,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Getting Started","url":"/what-is-crossfit"},{"below":[{"id":93964,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"About","url":"/education/about"},{"id":93965,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Explore Courses","url":"/education/explore-courses"},{"id":93966,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Find Your Path","url":"/education/find-your-path/"},{"id":93967,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Resources","url":"/education/resources"}],"id":93963,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Courses","url":"/education/about"},{"below":[{"id":95951,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Workout of the Day","url":"/wod"},{"id":93969,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Explore Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/workout"},{"id":101892,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Hero Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/heroes/"},{"id":93970,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Movements","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/crossfit-movements"}],"id":93968,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/workout"},{"id":93971,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Learn","url":"/media"},{"id":93972,"parent":"0","target":"_blank","text":"Games","url":"https://games.crossfit.com"},{"id":105467,"parent":"0","target":"_blank","text":"Store","url":"https://store.crossfit.com/?utm_source=owned&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=main"},{"id":106137,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Open A Gym","url":"/open-crossfit-gym"}],"mobileLinks":[{"text":"Open a CrossFit Gym"},{"text":"Browse","links":[{"below":[{"id":93961,"parent":"93960","target":"_self","text":"What is CrossFit?","url":"/what-is-crossfit"},{"id":93962,"parent":"93960","target":"_self","text":"Find a Gym","url":"/map"}],"id":93960,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Getting Started","url":"/what-is-crossfit"},{"below":[{"id":93964,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"About","url":"/education/about"},{"id":93965,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Explore Courses","url":"/education/explore-courses"},{"id":93966,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Find Your Path","url":"/education/find-your-path/"},{"id":93967,"parent":"93963","target":"_self","text":"Resources","url":"/education/resources"}],"id":93963,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Courses","url":"/education/about"},{"below":[{"id":95951,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Workout of the Day","url":"/wod"},{"id":93969,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Explore Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/workout"},{"id":101892,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Hero Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/heroes/"},{"id":93970,"parent":"93968","target":"_self","text":"Movements","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/crossfit-movements"}],"id":93968,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Workouts","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/workout"},{"id":93971,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Learn","url":"/media"},{"id":93972,"parent":"0","target":"_blank","text":"Games","url":"https://games.crossfit.com"},{"id":105467,"parent":"0","target":"_blank","text":"Store","url":"https://store.crossfit.com/?utm_source=owned&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=main"},{"id":106137,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Open A Gym","url":"/open-crossfit-gym"}]}],"brandLinks":[{"id":93974,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Open a CrossFit Gym","url":"/open-crossfit-gym"}],"loggedInMenu":[{"id":72863,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Manage Account","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/dashboard"},{"id":72864,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Competition Dashboard","url":"https://games.crossfit.com/manage-competition/athlete"}]},"footer":{"mainLinks":[{"below":[{"id":9764,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"What Is CrossFit?","url":"/what-is-crossfit"},{"id":9765,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"Get Started","url":"/get-started"},{"id":45861,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"Workouts","url":"/workout/"},{"id":45862,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"Movements","url":"/essentials/movements"},{"id":1741,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"FAQ","url":"/faq"},{"id":90183,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"Help Center","url":"https://crossfit.my.site.com/Support/s/"},{"id":45103,"parent":"511","target":"_self","text":"Careers","url":"/careers/"}],"id":511,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"About CrossFit","url":"#"},{"below":[{"id":45864,"parent":"45863","target":"_self","text":"Courses Near You","url":"/courses-near-you/"},{"id":45865,"parent":"45863","target":"_self","text":"Certificate Courses","url":"/certificate-courses/"},{"id":45866,"parent":"45863","target":"_self","text":"Certifications","url":"/certifications/"},{"id":45868,"parent":"45863","target":"_self","text":"Online Courses","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/online-courses"}],"id":45863,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Education","url":"#"},{"below":[{"id":45870,"parent":"45871","target":"_self","text":"Open a CrossFit Gym","url":"/open-crossfit-gym"},{"id":45884,"parent":"45871","target":"_self","text":"Field Leaders","url":"/field-leaders"},{"id":90935,"parent":"45871","target":"_self","text":"Global Mentor Program","url":"/global-mentor-program/"},{"id":93982,"parent":"45871","target":"_self","text":"Affiliate Portal","url":"https://affiliate.crossfit.com/tools/"}],"id":45871,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Affiliates","url":"#"},{"below":[{"id":16638,"parent":"45875","target":"_self","text":"Find a Trainer","url":"https://trainerdirectory.crossfit.com/"},{"id":45876,"parent":"45875","target":"_self","text":"Scholarship Program","url":"/scholarship-program-inquiry"},{"id":45877,"parent":"45875","target":"_self","text":"Foundation","url":"/foundation"},{"id":104122,"parent":"45875","target":"_self","text":"CrossFit Medical Society","url":"https://www.crossfitmedicalsociety.com/"}],"id":45875,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Community","url":"#"},{"below":[{"id":45881,"parent":"45879","target":"_self","text":"About the Games","url":"https://games.crossfit.com/"},{"id":45880,"parent":"45879","target":"_self","text":"Leaderboard","url":"https://games.crossfit.com/leaderboard/games/2022?division=2"},{"id":45882,"parent":"45879","target":"_self","text":"Schedule","url":"https://games.crossfit.com/games/schedule?_ga=2.142929340.802559833.1690817966-401013740.1685640771"},{"id":91727,"parent":"45879","target":"_self","text":"Workouts","url":"https://games.crossfit.com/workouts/games/2023"}],"id":45879,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"The CrossFit Games","url":"#"}],"brandLinks":[],"socialLinks":[{"id":66715,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"facebook","url":"https://www.facebook.com/crossfit"},{"id":66716,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"twitter","url":"https://twitter.com/CrossFit"},{"id":66717,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"instagram","url":"https://www.instagram.com/crossfit/"},{"id":66718,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"youtube","url":"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcQ6TPwXAYgZ1Mcl3M1vng"}],"contactLinks":[{"id":531,"target":"_self","text":"Careers","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/jobs"},{"id":532,"target":"_self","text":"Contact Us","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/contact-us"}],"legalLinks":[{"id":533,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Terms & Conditions","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/terms-and-conditions"},{"id":534,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Privacy Policy","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/privacy-policy"},{"id":10717,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Cookie Policy","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/cookie-policy"},{"id":57312,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Disclaimer","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/disclaimer"},{"id":10883,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Contact Us","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/contact-us"},{"id":45883,"parent":"0","target":"_self","text":"Report IP Theft","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/iptheft"}]},"locationPages":{"simpleTiles":{"cards":[{"bodyText":"CrossFit offers a results-based, community-driven approach to functional training that helps you build strength and improve your health—over your lifetime.","headlineText":"Functional Fitness for Everyday Life","icon":{"alt":"Lifting Icon","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26123658/crossfit-icon-workout-barbell-overhead-press.svg"}},{"bodyText":"Stay motivated with our community of coaches and members, who support your goals through approachable group training classes, helping you stay accountable and excited for each session.","headlineText":"Community Support and Motivation","icon":{"alt":"Heart Icon","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26123700/crossfit-icon-heart.svg"}},{"bodyText":"Coaches scale class workouts to your fitness level to help you achieve your strength building goals.","headlineText":"Tailored to Your Fitness Levels","icon":{"alt":"Graph Icon","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26123649/crossfit-icon-levels.svg"}},{"bodyText":"CrossFit coaches are experienced and trained to provide well-rounded and personalized guidance to individuals with varying fitness levels and goals.","headlineText":"Industry Certified Coaches","icon":{"alt":"Certification Icon","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26123656/crossfit-icon-check-badge.svg"}}],"headlineText":"Build Strength for a Fuller Life"},"gymFinderPromo":{"bodyText":"Contact CrossFit to start your fitness journey. We’ll connect you to the closest gym in your area.","headlineText":"Get Started today","image":{"alt":"Man Lifting Barbell","sizes":{"1536x1536":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","1536x1536Height":512,"1536x1536Width":768,"2048x2048":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","2048x2048Height":512,"2048x2048Width":768,"hero":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","heroHeight":512,"heroWidth":768,"heroLarge":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","heroLargeHeight":512,"heroLargeWidth":768,"large":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","largeHeight":512,"largeWidth":768,"medium":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","mediumHeight":512,"mediumWidth":768,"mediumLarge":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1.jpeg","mediumLargeHeight":512,"mediumLargeWidth":768,"small":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1-300x200.jpeg","smallHeight":200,"smallWidth":300,"thumbnail":"https://www.crossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/13135656/aa6daff2983e555e3688654515568d25-1-768x512-1-150x150.jpeg","thumbnailHeight":150,"thumbnailWidth":150}},"links":[{"link":{"priority":"primary","text":"Find a Gym","url":"/map"}},{"link":{"priority":"secondary","text":"What Is CrossFit?","url":"/what-is-crossfit"}}]},"locationCourseCards":{"courseLinkText":"Register Now","findCourseLink":{"text":"Find More Courses","url":"https://www.crossfit.com/courses-near-you"},"headerText":"Courses Near You","seminarType":["level-one","level-two"]},"socialSharing":{"facebook":{"description":"Jump into CrossFit in [City Name]! Our certified coach led group training and fitness classes feature strength, conditioning, and functional workouts.","title":"CrossFit Gyms in [State] | Functional Fitness Classes & Group Training"}}}},"user":{},"coachCertifications":{}}