Fit With Fibromyalgia

Our Story

Peg Mitchel is a former professionally trained ballet dancer whose career ended abruptly as a result of an undiagnosed broken bone in her foot. Following ACL reconstruction 6 years later; along with Epstein Barr Virus, Mono, and Parvovirus-sickness became prevalent in Peg's life. After a diagnoses of CFS and Fibro in 1996 by Don Goldenberg, leading expert in Fibromyalgia at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and several rocky years, Peg took up road cycling and realized the positive and negative effects that consistent exercise has on managing fibromyaligia. Despite continuing health challenges, Peg was a USCF Cat 4 road racer for 4 years and believes exercise is the key to staying functional and reducing the depression that comes along with chronic illness. In 2006 she placed top 20 in a national cycling event, thanks in part to coaching from Robby Ketchell, now Sports Scientist for a major Pro Tour cycing team. Peg also has a degree in Exercise Science from UMass, Amherst and was certified for ten years by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics as a Certified Pedorthist . As time has gone by however, sadly her symptoms have once again become excacerbated and she can no longer push her body or mind to any extremes. Despite the battles, she continues to work full-time and enjoy playing with her two canine children; researching health-related topics and road biking and hiking on a ‘good’ day.