By Henri Schmidt, CEO and Founder of Vbtec/Visionbody, Muscle Expert, and Cancer Survivor
Finding out that I had cancer was one of the hardest moments of my life.
Like anyone who receives that kind of news, I needed time to process it. I thought about my family, the years I still wanted to live, and everything I wasn't ready to leave behind. I knew the road ahead would be difficult, but I also knew I wanted to face it with as much determination as I could.
Having spent much of my life working in muscle science and human performance, my instinct was to think about what I could do to help myself stay as strong as possible throughout treatment. I wasn't looking for a miracle or a shortcut. I was looking for a routine that would help me maintain my strength, my energy, and a sense of purpose while following the medical care recommended by my oncology team.
Finding a Routine That Worked for Me
Over time, I experimented with different approaches to nutrition, exercise, and recovery.
My routine varied depending on how I felt, where I was in my treatment, and the conversations I had with my doctors. Some periods were very different from others. Rather than following a single, set diet or schedule, I adjusted my daily habits as my situation changed.
Nutrition became part of that routine. So did exercise. I continued using my Visionbody EMS system and regularly spent time in an infrared sauna because, personally, those activities helped me feel committed to taking care of myself during an extremely difficult time.
Looking back, I don't think there was any single formula that got me through my cancer journey. It was the combination of medical treatment, family support, determination, and my daily routines that helped me feel physically and mentally stronger.
My Experience With Different Eating Approaches
One nutritional approach I explored during my journey was metabolic cycling.
For me, that simply meant experimenting with different ways of eating over time rather than sticking to one eating pattern all the time. I paid attention to how I felt, how much energy I had, and how well I was maintaining my strength while undergoing treatment.
I never viewed this as a treatment for cancer. It was a personal experiment that drew on my own background in fitness and muscle science, combined with guidance from my healthcare team.
Everyone's medical situation is different. What felt right for me may not be right for someone else.
What Helped Me Stay Consistent
When I look back today, I don't remember a single breakthrough moment.
I remember the routines.
I remember trying to conserve as much strength as I could. I remember keeping moving even when I had to adjust my expectations. I remember choosing habits that helped me feel actively involved in my own recovery rather than giving up when life got tough.
Those routines gave me a sense of structure during a time when very little felt predictable.
Whether it was paying attention to my nutrition, staying physically active in ways that felt manageable, or making time for recovery, every small decision helped me maintain a sense of purpose throughout the journey.
The Role of Visionbody EMS in My Routine
One part of my personal fitness routine during this time was using my Visionbody EMS system.
During times when conventional workouts felt more challenging, EMS gave me another way to stay active and continue engaging my muscles. Personally, that was important because staying physically active—in whatever way I could manage—helped me feel stronger both physically and mentally.
For me, preserving as much muscle as possible became one of my priorities. Throughout my career, I have believed that healthy muscle plays a fundamental role in supporting strength, mobility, and overall quality of life, especially during physically demanding periods. Using my Visionbody system became one of the ways I worked toward that personal goal.
The Visionbody system became part of my daily routine, not because I believed it could treat cancer, but because it supported the active lifestyle I wanted to maintain during treatment.
My personal experience should not be interpreted as evidence that EMS treats, cures, or alters the course of cancer. It was simply one part of how I chose to stay active while going through an incredibly challenging period in my life.
My Wellness Routine
Recovery was another priority for me.
I regularly spent time in an infrared sauna because I personally enjoyed making it part of my overall wellness routine. Along with nutrition, exercise, and rest, it became another way for me to slow down, recover, and maintain habits that helped me feel better throughout my treatment.
That was my personal choice and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Looking Back
Cancer changed my life.
It changed the way I think about strength, health, and what it means to keep moving forward when circumstances are far from ideal.
Nutrition, exercise, EMS training, and the routines I built around them became part of how I chose to live through that experience. They helped me maintain a sense of purpose and normalcy during one of the most difficult periods of my life.
If there is one message I hope people take away from my story, it is not to copy what I did. Every cancer journey is different, and every treatment plan should be developed in consultation with qualified medical professionals.
What I hope my story shows is that even during the hardest moments, there is value in continuing to take care of yourself, preserving your strength wherever you can, and refusing to lose hope.
Henri Schmidt
Disclaimer: I wrote this article not to provide medical advice, but to share my personal experience as a former athlete, fitness specialist, and EMS innovator living with cancer. My experiences should not be interpreted as recommendations or evidence that nutrition, fasting, EMS, or any lifestyle practice can treat or cure cancer. If you have cancer or another medical condition, always consult your oncologist, oncology dietitian, or other qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health routine.
