By SwimSwam Contributors on SwimSwam
Courtesy: Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal
Masters swimmers are as tough as any athletes around. While persevering in a demanding sport, they are also navigating the physical challenges of aging. Master’s swimmers are disciplined and intentional in their actions, waking up before the sun to train and balancing daily demands of work and family life.
For Gulliver Masters swimmers Vianney De Los Angeles, age 48, and Kelly Feintech, age 41, their mental toughness and purposeful living evolved to a whole new level when faced with an unexpected opponent — a life-changing medical diagnosis. With the unwavering support of their families, teammates and their coach, these ladies are leaning into their swimming more than ever — and not just surviving but thriving.
Vianney’s Journey: Swimming Is a Lifeline
At 48, Vianney is an active mom and triathlon competitor. “Exercise has always been my happy place,” she explained. But since her breast cancer diagnosis, swimming is more than just a sport. It’s her lifeline. It’s the place she goes to strengthen her body and restore her spirit.
“For over 15 years, I’ve been in love with swimming,” said Vianney. “It started as training for Sprint Triathlons. I’ve always been active, whether it’s biking, jogging, or anything that gets me moving. I completed three Sprint Triathlons and even placed third in my age group. I’ve also biked 90 miles from Miami to the Florida Keys for the MS Bike Ride, and finished a half marathon.
“Then, in January 2024, everything changed,” she shared. “I felt a lump on my breast and decided to get my mammogram early. After multiple scans and three biopsies, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2. I was in shock. I didn’t even fully understand what it meant until I Googled it — and my world fell apart.” With no prior history of cancer in her family, the news was especially startling.
“I thought of my 12-year-old daughter, who is in 7th grade and also swims and plays water polo. I thought of my family, my friends, and what this diagnosis could mean for all of us. Everything happened so fast. I scheduled a lumpectomy and underwent 20 rounds of radiation. Now, I’m on hormone therapy, which comes with its own challenges —weak bones and major joint pain. It’s not easy, but I know it’s saving my life.”
Vianney De Los Angeles, with daughter Dalilah Ferguson (12), and mom, Maritza Acosta. Kelly Feintech, husband Jeff Feintech, sons Jackson (9) and Oliver (7)
Swimming as Therapy
Through it all, swimming has become Vianney’s therapy — for her mind, body and soul. “Swimming keeps me mentally grounded and physically strong.” she said. “It’s the one thing that helps relieve my pain and fatigue. Swimming is where I think. When I’m in the water, my mind quiets, and I feel strong again. It’s my stress reliever — except when Coach Mike pushes me to swim faster! He’s been amazing — always supportive, always positive, and constantly reminding me, ‘This is tough, but you’re tougher.’”
“The 5 a.m. wake-ups aren’t easy, but walking into the pool with my swim group makes it worth it. The team’s energy, friendship, and laughter keep me going. I even enlisted my neighbor, Nichole, to join me — and now we not only swim together, but hold each other accountable. We laugh through our laps and keep each other motivated, which makes every early morning a little brighter.
Like Dory says in the movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.”
Vianney’s Advice – Find Your Village
“To anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, my advice is this: Find your village and something that brings you peace, because mental health is everything on this journey.
Some people go through this alone, but they are definitely not alone. There is a whole community of women out there, and we can all support each other!
I’m all about sharing my story because I receive so much feedback about how I’ve encouraged and influenced others — about the importance of getting checked, scheduling mammograms, being aware, and taking action if something doesn’t seem right.
Cancer will not define me — surviving and living life to the fullest will.”
Kelly’s Story — Her Decision to Protect Her Future
Just as every athlete is different, so is every cancer journey. For Kelly Feintech, 41, she recently had a reflective moment when she was handed her pink swim cap. It’s been six years since her life-changing diagnosis and surgery, and she is ready to tell her story of being a previvor, in hopes of reaching others who may be faced with a similar situation.
“I don’t remember not swimming,” Kelly recalled. “Growing up in Southern California, the ocean was my playground. From an early age, I loved the ability to disconnect in the water — to play, to defy gravity, to focus on my breath until everything else disappeared. In third grade, I began swimming competitively, and through high school, I competed in IM and butterfly. I was never the fastest on the team, but I loved the camaraderie, the competition, and that feeling of being completely present — nothing but rhythm, breath, and movement.
I was disciplined, always pushing myself to work hard and play hard. Even though I hated 5 a.m. practices, I loved what they gave me: focus, structure, and resilience. When I got to Wellesley College, I decided to explore other sports — fencing, horseback riding — things completely different from my California upbringing. But somehow, I always found my way back to the pool.
In my 20s and 30s, running became my outlet — it was cheaper and easier than finding a pool. Then, in 2019, my world shifted. My Uncle Stan — my mom’s brother — was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was so strong, and it all happened so fast. During his treatment, his oncologist recommended genetic testing, and when the results came back, he tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation. Because of him, our family was tested too — and sure enough, my mom, my cousin, and I were all positive. With a BRCA1 gene mutation, we would all have a significantly increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. We miss him so much, but his diagnosis ultimately gave us the knowledge that would help us protect our futures.
At that time, our youngest son was just a year old, and I was finally starting to feel strong in my body again — like I was in control. My career was also gaining momentum. The competing demands of work, motherhood, and health became a balancing act that required every ounce of focus and energy I had.
Over the next six years, that sense of control disappeared through a series of surgeries: a hysterectomy, double mastectomy, and rounds of reconstruction. While training for the Paris Marathon — which was later canceled due to COVID — I developed severe hip pain. My doctor told me to stop running and choose a sport that was easier on my body. I wanted so badly to feel strong again, to reclaim that sense of power, but even running was taken away. I thought about swimming again, but I couldn’t quite commit.
At the same time, I was struggling hormonally — a result of surgical menopause at 35. For years, my doctors were reticent to give me hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and dismissed my symptoms as stress: from work, raising two boys, the pandemic, even remodeling our home. It wasn’t until 2023, when my husband and I flew to Boston to see the Chief Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, that we finally got clarity. She assured us that I could safely take HRT — which was the solution I needed to feel like myself again.
Feeling Whole Again In The Water
“Six months later, at 40, I started turning a corner. I had a new set of doctors who truly listened, who encouraged me to get stronger by doing the things I loved. That’s when I knew it was time to get back in the pool. The Olympics were on that summer, and watching the races lit something in me. I reached out to Coach Mike at Gulliver Masters. I told him my story, and that I wanted my boys to see their mom strong again. That I wanted to feel whole.
Since then, I’ve been swimming regularly. I still hate the 4:45 a.m. alarm — I can find every excuse not to get up — but those early mornings have become magical. It’s my time. No work, no kids, no lists. Just me. Coach Mike always reminds us: This is an investment in yourself. The pool is quiet, the moon still overhead, and as the first light reflects on the clouds, there’s something almost spiritual about it — stroke after stroke, breath after breath.
Coach Mike is the epitome of what a great coach should be. He understands our responsibilities. He meets us where we are, focuses on the present moment, and reminds us to celebrate each other. And the best part? He’s in the pool right alongside us — swimming every set, leading by example.
Showing Up, Feeling Strong and Finding Joy
“What’s truly inspiring to me now is my team — My mom and cousin. My doctors, colleagues, and friends. My husband, and our two boys. And now, my swim community. My lane mate, Laura, Coach Mike, and everyone who shows up before dawn — they’ve helped me rediscover joy in the water.
As Coach Mike always says, “It takes one time to get in shape, but it takes showing up every day to maintain it.” That mantra extends far beyond swimming. Feeling strong — both physically and emotionally — has been a journey. I’m grateful every day for the people who’ve helped me get here.
I’m also grateful that I don’t have cancer. But being a previvor — choosing to remove what seemed like healthy parts of my body to protect my future — comes with its own emotional weight. It’s a privilege to have the science and knowledge that we do, but it also demands compassion and understanding for those navigating this unique path.
The pool has become my sanctuary again — a place to heal, to breathe, and to remember that strength isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up — one lap, one breath, one dawn at a time.
Kelly’s Wisdom: Show Up and Be Present
“Focus on being present,” Kelly advises for others on the journey. “We as a society don’t do that enough. Swimming has allowed me to be fully present. When I was in high school, being a swimmer could sometimes feel like a chore. But in Masters swimming, we don’t have to be there. We could all be doing anything else. But showing up and being part of a team makes things a little bit less heavy. For others on the journey, it’s good to know you are not alone.”
The Power of a Coach Who Cares
Coach Mike LaMonica is the coach of Gulliver Masters, leading and inspiring a team of more than 50 swimmers, including Vianney and Kelly. He currently holds U.S. Masters Swimming National Records in the 200 Fly SCY and 100 Fly SCM in the 60-64 Age Group, as well as the 100 Fly SCM in the 65-69 age group.
With a palpable passion for swimming and coaching, he encourages and emboldens his swimmers, both in and out of the pool. “Coach Mike has been such a positive force as I seek to feel strong in my body again, for myself and for my kids,” Kelly shared. “Coach Mike is super motivational,” Vianney added. “He constantly reminds me that while cancer is tough, I am tougher.”
While both women have credited Coach Mike for his strong influence and support in their recovery process, “this story is about the ladies, not about me,” he emphasized. “Both Vianney and Kelly are beautiful bright lights who bring up our whole group. They are why coaching Masters is meaningful to me.”
ABOUT ELIZABETH SPENCER ROSENTHAL
Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal is a wife and mother of 3 from Miami. She is a passionate swim mom, volunteer and meet official, with a professional background in marketing and public relations. She holds a degree in Public Communication from American University, and loves finding a story to tell.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Masters Swimming and the Power of Pink: Two Teammates’ Stories of Surviving and Thriving
Hence then, the article about masters swimming and the power of pink two teammates stories of surviving and thriving was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Masters Swimming and the Power of Pink: Two Teammates’ Stories of Surviving and Thriving )
Also on site :
- Binotto backs Audi know-how over Red Bull Powertrains’ head start
- Award-winning former Independent chief sports photographer David Ashdown dies aged 75
- Free Fire India Release Date 2026: Real Updates vs. Fake Rumors