Atlanta mother reclaims life through bodybuilding after cancer

After a five-year fight with FLT3-mutated leukemia and a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from her sister, Mary Sims rebuilt her health and became an award-winning competitive bodybuilder who now leads a fitness group in Atlanta.

Mary Sims’s health journey began when flu-like symptoms led to a five-year battle with leukemia driven by an FLT3 mutation. Doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant, and after family testing, her sister Tequila Chester later tested as a 100 percent match. The transplant is reported to have saved Sims’s life, but recovery involved prolonged hospital treatment and complications that left her with major physical limits. Sims rebuilt aspects of her life by opening Studio 211 for women experiencing medically related hair loss and by working with a coach to pursue competitive bodybuilding. Key points: - Mary Sims faced a five-year fight with leukemia characterized by an FLT3 mutation. - Tequila Chester tested as a 100 percent bone marrow match during Sims’s treatment, and the transplant is reported to have saved Sims’s life. - Recovery included prolonged hospital care and complications that severely affected Sims’s mobility. - Sims opened Studio 211 to support women with medically related hair loss and trained with coach Angel Andrews to compete in bodybuilding. - Sims now leads a fitness group in Atlanta and coached her sister through a health-related weight-loss effort. Summary: Sims transformed a long medical recovery into work supporting other women and into success on the bodybuilding stage. She continues to lead a fitness group in Atlanta and has applied her experience to help family members with their health goals. Undetermined at this time.