June 21, 2025, 3:30 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Sports have always been a part of Stephanie Brungs’ life–in her youth, she even competed at a high-performance level. Why she struggled with her fitness in her twenties, how she rediscovered the joy of training, and what her current routine looks like, the “Love is Blind Germany” host shared in a conversation with FITBOOK editor-in-chief Melanie Hoffmann. Also: the blow of a “cervical cancer diagnosis.” Steffi Brungs told us about the initial shock, the treatment during the pandemic, and a changed body perception.
Recently, the host publicly revealed that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer five years ago. Therefore, at the beginning of our sports-focused interview, we wanted to know how she experienced the illness, how she is doing now, and how the diagnosis may have affected her fitness. But even apart from her cancer diagnosis, Steffi Brungs has experienced various phases in her life regarding her training. In a conversation with FITBOOK, the 36-year-old revealed the reasons why her sports routine wasn’t always ideal, who or what helped her rediscover the joy of exercise, what her training routine looks like today, and yes: she also talked to us about body shaming.
Follow the FITBOOK channel on WhatsApp now!
Cancer Treatments Changed Body Perception
FITBOOK: You were diagnosed with cervical cancer shortly after your wedding in Hawaii in October 2019. How difficult was the time after that?
Steffi Brungs: “When I got the cervical cancer diagnosis, it was initially incomprehensible to me. Because I felt so healthy and had no symptoms. Plus, we had just gotten married and had already made plans for the future… so it took some time for me to really understand what was going on. And then it was the biggest shock of my life so far. But I am so glad and grateful that the cancer was detected in time and that I could be treated accordingly. It shows how important it is to go for regular check-ups.”
Are you now cancer-free and feeling completely well, or are there still noticeable effects from the illness and surgery?
“As of now, I am healthy, and I hope it stays that way.”
How did the cancer treatments change your body perception?
“At first, it was very mentally taxing. My treatment took place during the pandemic. So I was afraid of getting infected. My body image only changed with the surgeries. I felt so weak. Exercise was out of the question. But eventually, I realized: I need to get my strength back. And sports helped a lot with that.”
Also interesting: How to maintain a healthy body image after cancer treatment
Steffi Brungs was a competitive athlete in her youth
Let’s take a step back–to your athletic youth. You used to be a competitive athlete. Can you tell us what that was like back then?
“Yes, I wanted to do it at a competitive level. From then on, it was a lot of training, six to nine times a week. I decided to stop around 17, just before graduating high school. I just wasn’t having fun anymore. You realize then that you’re always busy with swimming.”
Also interesting: How to maintain a healthy body image after cancer treatment
“I didn’t want to do any sports at all at first”
Was it a big change for you?
“Yes, totally. I didn’t want to do any sports at all at first. Especially not swimming. Splashing around on vacation, maybe, but I didn’t train down. That was a mistake. I rapidly lost muscle, gained weight, and my posture got worse. I really struggled with that.”
What does your current exercise routine look like?
“I work out three times a week. If I only manage once, that’s okay too. The important thing is: I have a set schedule, a routine, but no pressure. No torture.”
How did you get back into sports?
“I first started with tennis. I played it as a child, and I enjoyed it. I didn’t want to get back into the water. With tennis, I was outside, moving, but without the pressure to perform. My coach helped me regain my enthusiasm.”
And how did strength training come back into play?
“When I was around 30, I wanted to have a real routine again. I realized that I was organized in all areas of my life–except for sports. I knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I sought help.”
“In just eight weeks, I lost 4.9 percent body fat and gained 3 kilograms of muscle.”
Mother on Her Son’s Wilms Tumor: “Suddenly, Time Raced”
At almost 30, she noticed: Building muscle became more difficult
What was it like to get back into sports in your late twenties?
“I realized too late, around 29 or almost 30, how hard it is to reactivate certain muscles. I saw faster results in other areas of my body.”
What about strength training?
“Around 30, I wanted to have a real routine again. I realized I was organized in all areas of my life–except for sports. I knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I sought help.”
Steffi Brungs’ Journey Back to Training–Starting Point: Tennis
What was the starting point for your return to training?
“I started with tennis. I played it as a child, and I enjoyed it. I didn’t want to get back in the water. With tennis, I was outside, moving, but without the pressure to perform. My coach helped me slowly regain my enthusiasm.”
And how did strength training come back into play?
“This time, I have a trainer. I specifically chose a female trainer because I thought she would understand better what my body has been through and what my daily life is like. I’ve been training with her for three years now.”