Lifting Through Chemo: Motherhood, Strength, & Beating Breast Cancer

In this inspiring Beast Over Burden episode, Niki Sims and Andrew Jackson sit down with coach Nikki Berman and her client Elizabeth Blair, who began lifting postpartum and later found herself lifting through chemo after a sudden, life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. From navigating motherhood and recovery to facing fear head-on and rebuilding strength after treatment and surgery, Elizabeth shows what becomes possible when you refuse to give up on yourself, your body, and your future.

Beginning Strong: Postpartum Courage & First Reps

Elizabeth didn’t come to strength training as an athlete — she came as a new mom trying to rebuild after a difficult pregnancy. She wasn’t chasing records; she was chasing capability. Lifting gave her structure when life was chaotic, confidence when her identity felt stretched, and a way to feel like herself again.

Those early months brought triple-digit milestones, small victories, and a growing belief: I can do hard things. Each win mattered, not just for strength, but for self-trust. The barbell quickly became the place where she rebuilt not just muscle, but resilience.

Lifting Through Chemo: Choosing Strength in the Hardest Season

When Elizabeth was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, everything stopped — except her resolve. The morning after learning the news, she contacted her coach determined to keep training. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing: she would keep lifting through chemo.

This wasn’t about PRs. It was about control, dignity, sanity, and fighting for her future. Some days it meant dumbbells instead of barbells, light work instead of heavy, or simply moving and breathing with intention. And yet, in those moments, she was perhaps the strongest she’d ever been.

Rebuilding After Treatment: Patience, Presence & Quiet Wins

Chemo ended, surgery followed, and rest was mandatory — but this time it was temporary, not defeating. When she came back to the gym, she didn’t start over; she began again. Strength doesn’t evaporate when you train with heart — it waits.

Slowly, the weight returned. Confidence returned. Energy returned. Lifting became celebration instead of survival. And the first time she pulled 205 again, tears weren’t weakness — they were proof.

Lifting for Her Daughter and Her 85-Year-Old Self

Elizabeth lifts for two versions of herself: the mom who wants to show her daughter what strength looks like, and the eighty-five-year-old woman she plans to become — climbing stairs in Italy, luggage in hand, unassisted and proud.

She never waited for the “perfect moment” to begin and refused to stop even when life demanded she quit. Through toddler chaos, through surgery recovery, and yes, through lifting through chemo, she built a body and spirit capable of enduring.

Her story is not about sickness — it’s about agency, love, grit, and choosing strength when it matters most.