There are stories that inspire you.
And then there are stories that quietly rewire how you think about health, resilience, and what it really means to be prepared for life.
Steve Sarns’ story is the second kind.
You may know Steve as a community health leader, a cancer survivor, or the mind behind the NuStep cross-trainer—one of the most widely used rehabilitation machines in hospitals and clinics across the country. But long before his influence reached cardiac rehab floors and physical therapy clinics nationwide, Steve was just a young man trying to find his footing—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Listen to the full conversation here:
The Mailbox…
In his early years, Steve wrestled with focus, motivation, and depression. Direction felt elusive. Energy was inconsistent. Like many people, he didn’t lack intelligence or potential—he lacked momentum.
Then one small habit intervened.
Steve committed to jogging—just mailbox to mailbox. Nothing heroic. Nothing Instagram-worthy. But over the course of six weeks, something unexpected happened. One evening, under the glow of the moon, Steve felt it: clarity. Energy. Confidence. A sense of agency over his own body and mind.
Movement didn’t just change his fitness.
It changed his identity.
That single habit sparked a lifelong curiosity about aging, exercise physiology, and dignity in movement—especially for people the fitness industry often overlooks.
When Equipment Fails the People Who Need It Most
Years later, that curiosity met a real problem.
Steve noticed that many frail adults and rehab patients simply couldn’t use standard recumbent bikes. The equipment assumed balance, strength, and coordination that many users didn’t have. The result? Exclusion disguised as “exercise.”
Rather than accept that limitation, Steve and his team reimagined the machine entirely.
They added:
- Stable footplates with heel cups
- Adjustable range of motion
- Upper-body movement to mirror natural walking
- A design that prioritized safety without sacrificing effort
The NuStep wasn’t just easier—it was empowering.
Clinicians adopted it quickly. Cardiac rehab programs embraced it. Older adults reported something far more meaningful than improved metrics:
“I feel like myself again.”
Stronger. Steadier. Capable. Alive.
Steve didn’t just help people exercise—he helped them reclaim independence.
Then Everything Changed
What looked like a simple sty began to swell—pushing his eye aside. Weeks passed. Appointments came and went. Something didn’t add up.
Eventually, a tumor board delivered the truth:
Aggressive ethmoid sinus cancer.
It threatened his sight. His health. His future.
Steve, a lifelong advocate of movement and preparation, faced the fight of his life.
Training for the Unknown
Despite being fit, Steve understood what was at stake. Cancer treatment would demand more than optimism—it would demand reserves.
He chose an aggressive treatment plan: high-dose chemotherapy and radiation.
And he chose a posture that reflected everything he believed about health.
A boxing glove was inked with names—his reasons to fight.
A single goal anchored him through the darkest days:
Ring the bell. Standing.
He did.
The Real Lesson Isn’t About Cancer
Steve’s story isn’t just about survival.
It’s about preparation.
Health, as Steve learned—and lived—isn’t about aesthetics or performance metrics. It’s about building capacity for the unknown. Because life will ask more of you than you expect.
Movement becomes insurance.
Consistency becomes leverage.
Mindset becomes a force multiplier.
Steve’s fitness didn’t prevent cancer—but it gave him a fighting chance through it.
What Steve’s Story Teaches All of Us
You don’t need a rare diagnosis or a near-death experience to learn from this story. Steve leaves us with lessons that apply right now:
- Small, consistent movement can rival medication for mood and mental health
- Outdoor exercise improves cognition, focus, and emotional regulation
- Accessible equipment preserves independence—and dignity
- Your body is worth advocating for when symptoms don’t make sense
- Health reserves matter most when you don’t see the storm coming
One Step Is Enough to Start
Steve didn’t change healthcare by accident.
He started by jogging to the next mailbox.
If you’re on the fence—about starting, restarting, or finally prioritizing your health—this is your reminder: you don’t need a perfect plan. You need a next step.
And that step matters more than you think.
If Steve’s story resonated with you, we encourage you to listen to the full podcast conversation, share it with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review.
Tell us: what’s the one step you’ll take today?
Because health doesn’t begin with transformation.
It begins with movement—and the decision to keep going.
If the above resonated with you, learn more about how we’ve been helping people over the past 20 years and thank you for taking the time to read!
