#RIPPEDFamily, are you ready for a new season? We are beyond excited about Season 34 and can’t wait for you to see all the beautiful ladies featured. This Season is dedicated to the strong women who beat breast cancer and features five of our very own survivors: Pauline Brown, Bernadette Martinho-Brewer, Tracy Allen, Shanna Marks Madeira, and Trish Houston. “If they can beat cancer, they can rock this,” said Tina. And that they did! In fact, according to Terry, “They rocked it out like crazy!”
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we want to encourage women to get tested early and attend routine mammograms. These five strong ladies are a prime example that cancer does not discriminate. So we urge you to take the precautions to save your life. And always remember, you have a huge family standing behind you in support.
We had the privilege of getting to know four of these amazing survivors and wanted to share their inspirational journeys with you.
Pauline Brown – Severance, CO
Pauline Brown is an honorary Master Trainer who has been a part of our family from the very beginning (Season One), which makes her appearance in Season 34 even more special. She has appeared in about seven videos with Terry, Tina, and Rossie Ballard, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a big deal for her.
“It was truly an honor to be in the Season 34 breast cancer shoot as I am one year and one month out from my double mastectomy,” says Pauline “I hope that we can inspire others to keep moving and stay healthy even when facing illness such as breast cancer or any other illness for that matter.”
Pauline currently teaches R.I.P.P.E.D. at Windsor Community Recreation Center in Windsor, CO. Her advice to people who find it hard to get motivated is never give up.
“Find what you love to do. Respect your body by taking care of it physically and nutritionally and love your family and friends.” – Pauline Brown
Tracey Allen – Murrietta, CA
Tracey not only beat breast cancer once but twice over the past 15 years. She’s another R.I.P.P.E.D. season one veteran who has shown her commitment to R.I.P.P.E.D. from the very beginning. She taught Seasons 1-5 for a few years at her previous training facility and now takes classes at Fitness 19 in Murrieta, CA.
She reminisced on the shoot day with us, expressing her excitement for meeting Terry and Tina in person for the first time.
“I feel honored to be a part of Season 34 Breast cancer awareness edition,” says Tracey. “The shoot with Terry, Tina, & Rosie was amazing and lots of fun. I heard many great things about Terry and Tina and to meet them in person was a true privilege. They are so down to earth and very comfortable to be around.”
When speaking to people who are on the fence about their fitness journey she encourages them to start slow and find a like-minded accountability partner.
“Keep positive people in your circle of influence that will motivate you. If a gym membership is intimidating at the beginning start with 20-minute walks and weight-bearing exercises that can be done at home. – Tracey Allen
Shanna Marks Madeira – Boise, ID
Shanna joined our family during the summer of 2014 when she started taking R.I.P.P.E.D. classes. She decided to become a certified instructor in less than a year.
Shanna had such a blast shooting Season 34 she described it as an experience she would never forget. “I am absolutely humbled to be a part of the Season 34: Breast Cancer Survivors Edition,” said Shanna. “It was amazing to not only
meet Terry and Tina but also the other breast cancer warriors and learn their stories. They made me feel so comfortable and at ease.”
Shanna’s advice for people who are thinking of starting their fitness regimen is to grab a workout buddy.
“Everyone’s journey starts at different times and for different reasons. Workout buddies give motivation and accountability.” –Shanna Marks Madeira
Trish Houston – Tacoma, WA
Trish has started taking R.I.P.P.E.D. in Phoenix, AZ 8 years ago with Master Trainer Carrie Lowry, before her move to Tacoma, Washington. She then took Linda and Chito Pebenito’s R.I.P.P.E.D. class until she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast cancer last September and shared that they have been very supportive through her journey.
Trish, unfortunately, had to take some time from R.I.P.P.E.D. due to her diagnoses; so she was so excited to get back on the floor during the Season 34 shoot. “I’m just so darn glad that I was included in this season, says Trish. “Not only am I a recent breast cancer “thriver.” I also lost my husband of 25 years in April of 2017, so I’m a widow too. I have been working on my fitness for years and I feel stronger now at age 61 than I did at 31.”
The number one message Trish has for everyone is that age is just a number. “You can start making big changes in your lifestyle at any time. Don’t be afraid of the word R.I.P.P.E.D. it is an amazing workout and this new season has reinvigorated my love for it. I’m a second-time breast cancer survivor/thriver and I can’t get enough of R.I.P.P.E.D. I am a role model to some because my attitude is always positive and if I can impart anything to a person trying to be their authentic self it is: nothing is guaranteed in life—go after it.” – Trish Houston
Terry and Tina were truly in awe of the grace and strength of these five women. We’re so honored to be able to call you family. We can’t wait to see you in R.I.P.P.E.D.: Season 34! We also need to send a special shout-out to Master Trainer Rossie Ballard! Thank you for leading these ladies and pumping up the energy in Season 34!
Support Breast Cancer Awareness with a ‘Check One, Check Two’ Breast Cancer Tank or Tee. They are now available for preorder in our R.I.P.P.E.D. shop. Order now so you can represent for the survivors in October