Earlier this month, Hoplite CrossFit in Sparta held the Hedstrong Throwdown, a competition in honor of a former Sparta CrossFit coach, Captain Hedy Vincent, who began the biggest competition of her life earlier this year.
On May 24, Vincent’s life changed forever when she made a trip to the emergency room while experiencing significant numbness and loss of strength in her arm. That evening, her doctors discovered a brain tumor and on May 27, she underwent a craniotomy to remove what could safely be removed.
On June 2, after having brain surgery, her doctors diagnosed her with Glioblastoma unmethylated brain cancer, which she describes as “the deadliest out there” and she was told she had roughly seven to 14 months to live.
The news undoubtedly came as a shock to Vincent and her family as she had spent her life dedicated to her own health and fitness and helping everyone around her. Vincent has also served in both the Army and National Guard and is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Military Science Army ROTC at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
“My first response to the doctor was, I don’t mind being an underdog, in fact I thrive on it. But I also felt an overwhelming sense of peacefulness and clarity in that moment,” Vincent said. “God has been preparing me my entire life for this fight. He has given me faith in Him, an amazing husband and son, a strong family support system, my Army family, friends and fitness.”
Because of her physical condition, Vincent qualified for a trial cancer treatment that she would undergo in tandem with traditional chemo and radiation. The treatment came with significant side effects, but with her faith, support from family and friends and Vincent’s grit, she pushed through and saw success after her first round of treatment.
Vincent continues to take care of not only her mental health but her physical health as well. Between treatments she has had enough energy to run and workout multiple times a day, which only builds on her drive to fight with everything she has.
Vincent’s favorite proverb “Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another,” has become so relevant in her life these past few months as the CrossFit community has come to support her in a big way.
Teams of MM or FF, both Rx and Scaled, competed in a competition hosted at Hoplite CrossFit for Vincent as they couldn't think of a better way to support her, the ultimate athlete, and L1 Coach. The workouts were chosen by Vincent herself.
“These workouts were made with some of my favorite CrossFit movements and my military background in mind,” she said prior to the competition. “I hope you remember to fight with purpose, fight through when you reach that point of wanting to quit, just give a little bit more and you’ll find you can do things you never thought you could.”
All the proceeds raised at the event went to Vincent and her family. She is heading into her next phase of treatment with five days of chemotherapy followed by 23 days off for the next six months and continuing with the clinical trial drug for the next year.
“Our challenges become a teacher along life’s journey and each life experience and challenge can become a lesson that becomes a part of our purpose,” Vincent said. “I believe with all my heart that healing will come whether that be earthly or heavenly. Ultimately, my faith leads me to believe that we will find healing in our sorrows and life challenges.”
Vincent said she continues to be humbled, shocked, and overwhelmed by the love and support she has witnessed over the course of her journey. She is grateful to everyone involved in pulling the event together as well as all the athletes, competitors and spectators that came.
“Not everyone’s story will be the same. I don’t know why some live and others enter eternity sooner than expected, but I do know that God is faithful,” she said. “I take courage. I trust Him and choose to pray with faith that moves mountains. Suffering has made my life story richer; it’s not the absence of God. He has lifted me up and carried me.”
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