Survivor Fitness Foundation

What Survivor Fitness Foundation does

Survivor Fitness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that operates a post-cancer wellness program for adult cancer survivors who have completed active treatment. The organization delivers a structured 12-week intervention consisting of 24 one-on-one training sessions, comprising three integrated pillars: personal fitness training with certified trainers, nutritional coaching with registered dietitians, and mental health support via licensed therapists (including through BetterHelp). Program design is grounded in the documented reality that 65% of cancer survivors experience post-treatment fatigue, depression, loss of strength, and weight changes, and it explicitly addresses that gap.

Service delivery runs through a hybrid model. In-person training is available through an affiliate gym network in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga (including named partners such as A|Train Fitness, C3 Health & Beauty, Chadwick's Fitness, Performance Training Inc., and 3 Bridges CrossFit). A virtual training program conducted over Zoom extends the same offering to survivors nationwide, supported by out-of-state professionals such as Ellen Smartt of At the Table Nutrition Consulting. Applications are processed online with a stated 2–3 business day response window, and the program is provided at no cost to participants in need, with an optional $750 self-pay tier.

The revenue model is donation-driven rather than commercial. Survivor Fitness funds operations through individual donations (including a monthly "The Lift" recurring giving program and Facebook fundraisers), corporate sponsorships from a roster of Tennessee-based businesses and institutions (Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, First Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Axle, Dominion Group, Parrot Printing, Parks Construction, Foundation Mortgage, HHM Accountants, Stowers CAT, Knoxville Center for DPS), and nominal program fees from self-paying participants. The organization is led by founders Aaron and Meg Grunke with a board that includes Chris Guay (Vitality Living) and Dr. Rachel Mitchell. To date, the organization reports 15,000+ training and nutrition sessions delivered to hundreds of survivors aged 18–83 across cancer types and fitness levels.

Name

Survivor Fitness Foundation

Legal name

Survivor Fitness Foundation

Website

https://survivorfitness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Survivor Fitness Foundation is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a 12-week post-cancer wellness program of personal training, nutritional coaching, and mental health support to adult cancer survivors, free of charge, through affiliate gyms in Tennessee and a nationwide virtual channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-Cancer Recovery Wellness

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

Keywords

• Post-cancer wellness programs
• Cancer recovery support
• Personal training services
• Nutritional coaching
• Mental health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Survivor Fitness is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that relies heavily on donations from individuals. The organization offers a monthly giving program called 'The Lift' where donors commit to ongoing support. Donations are tax-deductible within U.S. law guidelines.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including businesses, doctors, and wellness centers play an integral role in helping cancer survivors. Partner companies such as Axle, Dominion Group, Parrot Printing, First Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and others provide financial and strategic support.
3. Program Fees (Optional): The program is provided at no cost for participants who need financial support. Participants who choose to opt out of financial support can pay $750 for the 12-week program, which is noted as more than 60 percent less than standard pricing.
4. Facebook Fundraisers: Supporters can start Facebook fundraisers to raise money for Survivor Fitness, including running races, creating fundraising pages, or asking for birthday donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Survivor Fitness Foundation delivers a 12-week, 24-session post-cancer wellness program combining personal fitness training, nutritional coaching, and mental health support into a single integrated curriculum. The program is delivered in-person at partner gyms across Tennessee (Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga) and virtually nationwide via Zoom, offered free to qualifying cancer survivors with an optional $750 self-pay tier.

Product overview

Survivor Fitness Foundation operates as a single, unified nonprofit wellness program focused on post-cancer recovery. The core offering is a 12-week (24 training session) Post-Cancer Wellness Program that integrates three complementary service pillars: Personal Fitness Training (one-on-one sessions with certified trainers), Nutritional Coaching (support from registered dietitians), and Mental Health Support (counseling services). These services are delivered through a hybrid model combining in-person training at affiliate gyms in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, with virtual training options for nationwide participation. The program is provided at no cost to cancer survivors who qualify, with an optional subsidized rate of $750 for those who choose to pay.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 12-Week Post-Cancer Wellness Program Integrated 12-week, 24-session curriculum combining personal fitness training, nutritional coaching, and mental health support for adult cancer survivors (ages 18-83) who have completed active treatment, regardless of cancer type or financial situation. Delivered in-person at partner gyms in Tennessee and virtually nationwide; offered free to qualifying participants with an optional $750 self-pay tier.
• Virtual Survivor Wellness Program Remote delivery of the foundation's 12-week post-cancer wellness curriculum via Zoom, enabling survivors outside the Tennessee partner-gym footprint (Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga) to participate in personal training, nutritional coaching, and mental health support from any U.S. location.
• Ongoing Survivor Support and Group Fitness Activities Continued group fitness and community programming offered to survivors beyond the initial 12-week program, designed to sustain the physical and mental health gains achieved during the core curriculum and reinforce long-term post-treatment wellness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ training and nutrition sessions offered to cancer survivors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center is a corporate partner of Survivor Fitness, providing support to help cancer survivors find hope and healing. As a leading cancer research and treatment center, this partnership validates the organization's mission and connects participants with comprehensive cancer care resources.
• BetterHelpcoreTechnology or IntegrationBetterHelp is a mental health service provider that connects Survivor Fitness participants with licensed therapists for mental health support. This partnership enables the organization to provide comprehensive mental health counseling as part of its holistic recovery program.
• A|Train Fitness (Nashville)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA|Train Fitness in Nashville is a certified personal training facility that partners with Survivor Fitness to provide in-person training to cancer survivors. Trainers at this location work with participants on customized fitness plans tailored to their recovery needs.
• C3 Health & Beauty (Knoxville)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorC3 Health & Beauty, operated by certified cancer exercise specialist Stephanie Chunn, is a training partner serving Survivor Fitness participants in Knoxville. Stephanie works with over 20 participants, providing both in-person and virtual training sessions. Her appointment-only fitness studio offers a welcoming environment for participants.
• Chadwick's Fitness (Franklin)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChadwick's Fitness in Franklin, Tennessee is a training partner where participants like Kim Nielsen work with trainers Caroline and Michaela for their post-cancer recovery. The gym provides both one-on-one training and group fitness programs for Survivor Fitness alumni.
• Ellen Smartt / At the Table Nutrition ConsultingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEllen Smartt is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and founder of At the Table Nutrition Consulting based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is a nutrition partner providing nutrition coaching to Survivor Fitness participants nationwide through virtual consultations. Her clinical, science-based, and holistic approach complements the organization's mission.
• Affiliate Gyms NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurvivor Fitness partners with gyms across the state of Tennessee to provide in-person training opportunities. This network of affiliate gyms allows the organization to serve cancer survivors in multiple cities including Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
• Performance Training, Inc. (Knoxville)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerformance Training, Inc. in Knoxville is a training partner where participant Jennifer Brown worked with trainer Matt Kay. The facility provides personalized training programs for cancer survivors in the Knoxville area.
• VICC Patient and Family Resource CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Patient and Family Resource Center informed cancer survivor Kim Nielsen about the Survivor Fitness program, serving as a referral pathway connecting patients to post-treatment support services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• First Descents: Nonprofit offering adventure-based experiences (surfing, kayaking, climbing) for young adult cancer survivors; directly comparable as a survivor wellness nonprofit using experiential programming for post-treatment recovery.
• Moving for Life: Nonprofit delivering gentle exercise programs specifically designed for cancer survivors; closest direct peer to Survivor Fitness in terms of cancer-focused fitness instruction.
• Epic Experience: Nonprofit providing free week-long outdoor camps for adult cancer survivors; comparable survivor-focused nonprofit model combining wellness programming with community building.
• Yoga Hope: Nonprofit using yoga and mindfulness to support survivors of trauma, including cancer; comparable holistic mind-body approach to post-treatment recovery programming.
• True North Treks: Nonprofit providing outdoor wellness treks for young adult cancer survivors and their caregivers; comparable mission and use of non-clinical wellness activities for post-treatment recovery.

Broad incumbents

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Major disease-specific nonprofit offering financial assistance, education, and survivorship programs for blood cancer patients; comparable donor-driven survivorship model with broader scope.
• Cancer Support Community: National nonprofit providing social and emotional support, education, and healthy lifestyle programs for cancer survivors; comparable mission and complementary program offerings to Survivor Fitness.
• American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. cancer nonprofit; operates extensive survivorship programs including Reach To Recovery and physical activity initiatives; potential collaborator or competitor for survivor wellness funding.
• Livestrong Foundation: Major cancer survivorship nonprofit offering navigation, fertility, and emotional support services; overlaps with Survivor Fitness on survivor wellness mission but operates at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• Smith Center for Healing and the Arts: Nonprofit integrative cancer care organization offering nutrition, exercise, and mind-body programs for cancer survivors in Washington DC; directly comparable holistic programming model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjtdiTUBZFkQ03ln5erKH6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/survivorfitnessfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/survivorfitness
• Instagraminstagram.com/survivorfitnessfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Survivor Fitness Foundation