There are moments in life that divide time into “before” and “after.”
For Monique, that moment began with what was supposed to be routine.
An MRI revealed something unexpected in her brain. At first, there were no clear answers. Specialists reviewed her case. Tumor boards discussed possibilities. Doctors believed it could be astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma, but nothing was certain.
The confirmation only came after surgery, when tissue samples were analyzed more deeply.
The diagnosis: oligodendroglioma.
A rare, slow-growing but malignant brain tumor.
A Journey That Didn’t End With Treatment
Since that diagnosis, Monique has undergone surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Active treatment has finished, but her journey is ongoing.
Oligodendroglioma does not come with a simple finish line.
It requires lifelong monitoring, regular MRIs, neurological care, and continued attention to how her body responds over time.
She may look healthy on the outside. Many people see her working, training, laughing, and showing up every day and assume life is back to normal.
But the reality is different.
Monique is still living with cancer.
She continues to navigate the lasting effects of both the tumor and the treatments. She continues to seek therapies that support healing, strength, and quality of life.
And she continues to move forward anyway.
A Wife. A Mother. The Heart of a Family.
Before anything else, Monique is a wife and a mother.
She is the steady presence in her home. The one who holds routines together. The one who shows up for school events, family moments, daily responsibilities, and all the quiet acts of love that define motherhood and partnership.
Cancer did not pause those roles.
It became something she carries alongside them.
Her family walks this journey with her, but she continues to lead with strength, love, and determination. She is not just fighting for herself. She is fighting for the life she is building with the people she loves most.
A Gym Owner Who Leads by Example
As the owner of WEFiT, Monique has always believed in the power of strength, movement, and community.
Fitness has never been about appearance for her. It has always been about confidence, resilience, mental health, and longevity.
Now, that belief carries even deeper meaning.
She continues to train.
She continues to coach.
She continues to show up for her clients and community.
Not because it is easy, but because it matters.
Every workout is a reminder that her body is still capable. Every class she leads is proof that strength can exist alongside vulnerability.
Her community sees her showing up, and they understand something powerful: strength is not about never facing hardship. It is about continuing forward despite it.
Living With the Invisible Reality
One of the hardest parts of Monique’s journey is that much of it is invisible.
People see energy, smiles, and activity.
They do not always see fatigue, neurological challenges, emotional weight, or the uncertainty that comes with ongoing monitoring.
This is the reality for many people living with brain tumors.
Looking well does not mean life is simple.
And Monique shares her story not for sympathy, but to create awareness for a condition many people have never heard of until it affects someone they love.
Why Research Matters
Oligodendroglioma is rare.
Because it is rare, research funding is limited compared to more common cancers. Advancements in treatment, understanding, and long-term outcomes depend heavily on continued research investment.
That is why Monique is directing all fundraising efforts toward Oligo Nation.
100% of donations go directly to support research and treatment advancements for those affected by oligodendroglioma. Funds do not go to Monique personally. They support researchers and initiatives focused on improving care and working toward healing for the entire community.
If you would like to support this mission, you can make a donation here:
Strength Looks Different Now
Monique’s story is not about being cancer-free.
It is about living fully while still facing cancer.
It is about running a business while navigating medical care.
It is about motherhood continuing in the middle of uncertainty.
It is about choosing movement when rest might feel easier.
It is about hope that extends beyond one person to an entire community that deserves better answers.
Most of all, it is about courage.
Not the loud kind.
The everyday kind.
The kind that wakes up, shows up, and keeps going.
Standing With Monique
When you support Monique’s fundraising efforts, you are not just supporting one woman.
You are standing with a mother, a wife, a leader, and a fighter.
You are helping move research forward.
You are helping create possibility.
And you are reminding someone facing this diagnosis that they are not alone.
If her story touches you, consider donating or sharing her journey.
Together, awareness grows. Research advances. Hope expands.
And that matters more than ever.