Cancer Recovery Fitness Classes for
Every Stage of the Journey
North County Cancer Fitness offers specialized fitness classes and wellness programs for cancer survivors, designed to support individuals at every stage of the cancer journey—from diagnosis through treatment and into long-term survivorship. Built around our three pillars—Fitness, Community, and Hope—our programs help strengthen the body, support the mind, and reconnect the spirit through safe, guided movement and meaningful connection.
We offer a variety of classes, including strength and balance training, yoga, Pilates, walking groups, and Zumba, all tailored to meet you where you are. Each session is designed to help you rebuild at your own pace—slow, steady, and strong—so you can feel safe, supported, and confident in your recovery.
Become A Certified Trainer
Scholarships for Cancer Exercise Trainer Certification—
Be Part of Someone’s Healing Journey
NCCF is dedicated to increasing the number and variety of donation-based fitness classes available to cancer survivors in our community. We offer scholarships for qualified fitness professionals who are interested in obtaining their Cancer Exercise Trainer certification.
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If you are passionate about helping cancer survivors through fitness and would like to teach one or more classes per week, we encourage you to explore the certification program at acsm.org/certification.
To learn more about teaching opportunities or to discuss your involvement, please contact NCCF. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors.
MEET OUR FITNESS INSTRUCTORS
EXERCISE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Our team of cancer-certified athletic trainers and fitness instructors is dedicated to supporting safe, effective movement at every stage of survivorship. With deep expertise and genuine compassion, they design and lead classes that honor each individual’s needs—whether newly diagnosed or a long-time survivor. Every session is guided with care, intention, and an unwavering focus on helping you move with confidence, strength, and support.​
Amber Rogers
Amber Rogers has been an instructor for NCCF for 10 years! She is also a boxing coach and trains regularly in Encinitas. Her certifications are through Cancer Exercise Training Institute, International Sports Sciences Association and USA Boxing. She is passionate about exercise and supporting community, and is exceptionally skilled at encouraging and coaching participants in her classes to the best of their ability. She enjoys time with her family and friends, and serving those around her. Her Tuesday class is one of our most popular and she loves to see new faces come through the doors at EOS Fitness on Tuesday at 1:30pm.
Julie Centanni
A certified health coach with a masters degree in exercise science, will lead this class. She has 8 years experience in group fitness classes and taught for us a few years back. You will love her fun-loving personality and full body workout style. Julie teaches our Fit Happens class at Calavera Park on Wednesdays at 11am. She works at Atala Physical Therapy in Carlsbad and has her own company called StableYou, where she offers at-home personal training with a focus on balance and stability.
Alessandra Colfi, Ph.D, RYT-200, ZIN®
Alessandra Colfi, Ph.D, RYT-200, ZIN®, teaches both Zumba and yoga classes for NCCF, and facilitates an expressive arts therapy programs at UC San Diego Encinitas, where many of our members have found great comfort and healing. Alessandra has a Doctorate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher RYT-200, a Certified Yoga for Cancer Recovery Teacher and a Zumba Instructor (ZIN®). Alessandra teaches our Wednesday Zumba class, and two yoga classes in Oceanside and Vista. Her whole person-centered, mindfulness-based approach is compassionate and uplifting, drawing from many different traditions and modalities like meditation, guided visualization, relaxation techniques, emotional freedom technique (EFT), Pranayama (breath work), and movement. She is well versed in community resources and takes the lead in many outreach events. She is also is a member of San Diego Cancer Research Institute, and the Consciousness and Healing Initiative, and recently took part in the CSU annual palliative care symposium where her students created these beautiful flags (pictured left). This gorgeous "Wings of Gratitude" masterpiece demonstrates her expansive talent and was displayed at the event as a backdrop for many photos! Alessandra has received numerous awards for her artwork and volunteer service; in 2014 she received the San Diego Cancer Research Institute Award of Excellence for contributing to improving the quality of life of cancer patients in San Diego County.
Mary MacDonald
Mary MacDonald has been with NCCF for 4 years and teaches two classes in Encinitas and one in San Marcos, pictured below at Buena Vista Park. One of her regular clients shared that Mary is knowledgeable, versatile, organized and focused, but also makes workouts fun and interactive. She has been in the fitness industry since 1994, and has certifications in Wellness Coaching, Nutrition and Weight Loss, Mat Pilates, Senior Exercise, Cancer Exercise, Aqua Ex, Yoga, Barre, and training in TRX, HIIT, and Boot Camps. Mary is an avid runner, and has worked extensively with athletes, as well as people with medical issues and rehabilitation needs.She is American Red Cross WSI certified to teach swim lessons to people of all ages. She has managed her own gym facility as well as those in country clubs and wellness centers.
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Amy Ziegelman
With over 30 years of experience as a certified fitness instructor, she brings a deep passion for movement, music, and community to every class.
In addition to her work in fitness, she spent more than 20 years designing training programs and coaching adults—helping individuals learn, grow, and build confidence. She integrates this background into her teaching style, offering clear guidance, supportive coaching, and a focus on helping each participant feel successful at their own pace.
She is especially passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive environments where individuals feel safe, encouraged, and connected—no matter where they are in their journey.
At NCCF, her goal is to help participants move with confidence, build strength, and experience the joy of being part of a supportive community.