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Former Greenwich Triathlete's Book Details Battle With Cancer, Bulimia

GREENWICH, Conn. -- World-class triathlete and breast cancer survivor Karen Newman shares her struggle with bulimia and cancer in a new book, "Just Three Words."

Karen Newman, a world-class triathlete who formerly lived in Greenwich, will sign copies of her new book on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Richards of Greenwich. Newman is a breast cancer survivor. She also fought bulimia.

Karen Newman, a world-class triathlete who formerly lived in Greenwich, will sign copies of her new book on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Richards of Greenwich. Newman is a breast cancer survivor. She also fought bulimia.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The 54-year-old longtime Greenwich resident who moved to Vermont in 2014, will sign books from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Richards of Greenwich (359 Greenwich Ave). Daily Voice sat down with Newman for an exclusive interview before her signing.

DV: What made you want to write a book?

KN: Blogging on Caring Bridge about my cancer journey, 25,000 people visited and encouraged me to write. I've always been a good storyteller, but never considered myself a writer. One day, I said a prayer asking God to reveal to me if I should write a book and the next day my cousin called to say she won two tickets to a writers conference in California. There, I met a publisher who wanted to publish my story. I did not go with him, but it was the spark of encouragement that I needed to write the book.

DV: What are some of the main messages you want to convey with your book?

KN: I want people to know that our great trials are often opportunities to grow, transform and discover amazing things about ourselves. They can change us, humble us and help us love this hurting world in ways we never could without the trial.

DV: How hard was it to document all that transpired?

KN: It has been a three-year journey, and frankly, I didn’t want to tell my deepest darkest secrets or expose my shame. But one day, I felt God telling me I had to be authentic. That meant calling my parents and exposing things I never wanted them to know. Sitting my husband and children down and sharing ugly things from my past. It meant crying, letting go, forgiving myself and rising up.

DV: Your faith has been a big part in your life. Did your health challenges lead you to find your faith, or did you always have faith?

KN: I was blessed to be brought up in a Christian home, but unfortunately my beliefs about God got warped somehow. I thought God had a checklist and a whip and at the rate I was going, I was surely going to hell. I had no idea he loved me unconditionally. That was a huge lesson that I learned through my cancer journey. Cancer brought me closer to God, deepened my faith, and helped me thrive. 

Newman's book is available for purchase online.

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