Madeline Mackay

What fuels your passion for health and fitness?

After cancer stripped my home and career, I reclaimed my autonomy as my own lead researcher. While doctors study my rare condition and potential recurrence, I am mapping a body where no blueprint exists. This journey has revealed a softer side of life and true balance. Running and breathwork are my bridge to independence; they are how I feel fully alive for the first time. I am turning my rare path into a beacon to bridge the gap in care and prove we can thrive.

What’s your favorite way to train or stay fit?

I train through high-altitude running, routine, and intentional breathwork. This isn’t just cardio; it’s a manual override for my nervous system. It allows me to map my internal state and manage the unique physical demands of a full gastrectomy in real-time.

What would you do with $20,000?

I will first give back to those who supported me when I lost everything. This humble restart provides the stability to get back on my feet, covering specialized therapies and the publishing costs for my book. It allows me to finish my clinical research, bringing light to life with neuroendocrine cancer and no stomach. I would be so grateful to get this break