When Jess Olson was in remission from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma she made this statement to Cancer:  “I had you, but you’ll never have me!”

Physie has always been a way for Jess to express herself through dancing and to enjoy being with friends.  She also loves the competition and strives to improve herself every year.

Diagnosed with blood cancer at 15, Jess has persevered through treatment and recovery with the goal to compete at the Nationals again. And she did.  After beating cancer Jess was left with depleted muscles, reduced flexibility and serious fatigue but she never gave in and, through hard work and determination, qualified to compete at the Opera House.

The support of the physie family at Jess’s club has been invaluable and she sees herself being involved with physie well into her old age.

Jess’s inner strength and bubbly, positive, happy nature have been a shining light for 9 year old cancer patient Lily Wood from Newcastle.  Jess became a role model for Lily both in her fight and in having the confidence to return to the physie competition floor.

They met for the first time at an interclub comp last year and it was a beautiful moment for both physie families. This candid shot was snapped by an onlooker as the girls were mucking around before posing for a professional photo.