After noticing swelling in her leg, Tanya Flink experienced a series of frustrating misdiagnoses. She finally learned she had lymphedema, but it took a few years before she found the right therapist, compression and treatment plan. An avid runner, Tanya completes a marathon each month! In the last two years, she’s completed 15 at a competitive pace—finishing in less than four hours! Find out what motivates her to go the extra mile(s) below.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Newport Beach, CA, and work in foodservice sales for a plant-based startup. I also host trivia as a fun side gig. I'm an avid marathoner and love to long run and brunch. I'm a regular at my local restaurants and love to cozy up with a soy flat white at a good coffee shop. I'm the person at the office who always brings homemade (and vegan) baked goods. I also have an adorable and hilarious rescue corgi named River. She's great at soccer and puzzles.
When did you learn you had lymphedema?
When I was 22, I went on a run and noticed one leg was puffy. My primary sent me to the Emergency Room (ER), thinking it was a clot. This was immediately followed by a bad case of cellulitis that the ER thought was shingles. From then on, my leg was swollen, but it took a year of seeing specialists until someone recognized it as lymphedema. I had a few rough years of outdated lymphedema therapy where my leg got worse. In early 2020, I matched with my current lymphedema physical therapist (PT), and she is amazing.
What does your treatment plan include?
I see a lymphedema physical therapist once a week. She does light manual lymph drainage and a quick TheraGun session. I also wear compression nearly 24/7. This is after four surgeries (three on the right leg, one on my left). My compression garments are Juzo Soft thigh high, which I wear on both legs unless I’m working out. Then, I just wear one on my right leg—the most affected/fibrotic.
What is something you wish you'd known sooner about lymphedema?
I wish someone was able to diagnose it sooner. I also wish that the first specialist I saw put me in the right compression, instead of a really uncomfortable custom-fit garment.
How did you get involved in marathons?
I've run for a long time and always said I wouldn't do a marathon—it seemed SO long. A friend was going through a tough time, and I told him I would do a marathon with him if he wanted something to look forward to. I ended up training and doing the race (he didn't), and I was hooked. I just kept signing up for them and realized I was doing about one a month, so I just decided to continue the streak. I've done 16 marathons as of May 2025 and hope to keep going! My favorite is the OC Marathon—I can literally walk to the start line from my home, and it has great crowd support.
How does Juzo compression help you stay active?
Activity is the best thing for my lymphedema—my PT thinks the contracting muscles help push the fluid to where it needs to go. Wearing compression on my more affected leg helps keep everything together while I run, and I can forget about the lymphedema for awhile. And the best part is—it doesn't fall down! I can do a full 26.2 without constantly tugging my compression up.
What motivates you?
Brunch. I love putting in a big effort and meeting friends for brunch afterward … Really, it's the feeling I get the entire day of the long run. It energizes me, and the runner's high lasts far beyond the last mile. While I run for a number of reasons, one of them is to not let my chronic condition limit me. Juzo compression helps me achieve my goals and stay active.
What advice do you have for others managing lymphedema?
If you can, connect with other people who have lymphedema. Friends and family can sympathize, but they can't relate. Having someone to commiserate and let off steam with can be a great help, mentally. Also, keep advocating for yourself. If you're uncomfortable every day with your current treatment plan, find another specialist. Ask for the surgery (and fight so that your insurance covers it). And, let others know how you're feeling.
Connect with Tanya on Instagram @trainertanya to cheer her on at the next marathon.
Get to know our other Juzo Champions on juzousa.com and connect with them on social! Follow us on Instagram, @JuzoCompression and Facebook to find inspiration from others, like Tanya.