Empowerment on the Mat and in the Waves: A Conversation with Anna Götz, Organizer of Trancalmate
Surfing after breast cancer is more than just getting on the board – it’s reclaiming your body, your freedom, and your joy. It’s a radical act of self-empowerment. Across the globe, more and more women are finding healing and strength in the ocean, using movement, community, and nature as tools for recovery and resistance.
Trancalmate is one of the few surf & yoga camps created specifically for women with or after breast cancer. It’s not about bouncing back – it’s about moving forward, with honesty, humor, and heart.
At the center of this empowering space stands Anna Götz, yoga teacher and visionary organizer who knows exactly what it means to start over – and how powerful it is to do so together.
We spoke with Anna about the deeper meaning behind Trancalmate – how yoga and surfing can support women affected by breast cancer, what empowerment looks like in practice, and why this camp is about so much more than sport.
Anna, you are part of the Trancalmate Camp as organizer and yoga teacher – in what moments do you see/experience female empowerment?
In many, actually – but it really starts with the registration. We have quite in-depth preliminary conversations with each participant. The women need to check what still needs to be clarified medically, how things are going with medication, scars, the port. Maybe there’s family, small kids, pets, a partner, a job – how will that work out, what do they think about it? Vacation after such a long illness. And then also far away.
When participants have sorted out all their questions at home and then say to me on the phone: Hey, I’m doing it, I’m in! – I can hear in their voice that their eyes are sparkling, they’ve just grown a little taller and are standing a bit prouder, and something inside them is jumping and dancing.
With or after breast cancer, real female empowerment happens in that moment when women take back their life!
What motivated you to become a yoga teacher and to found Trancalmate?
Surfing or yoga are often marketed as part of a fancy lifestyle, and at the same time, classes rarely offer space beyond the norm.
I myself was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. After treatment, I felt like I didn’t really fit in anywhere with my 1½ breasts: I had insecurities while swimming, pain while jogging, couldn’t lie on my belly in yoga class, and then came the medical recommendation for senior rehab sports… I went twice and never again.
Somewhere between defiance and curiosity, I then completed a multi-year training in therapeutic yoga. With knowledge of anatomy, effects, and traditions, I learned how to adapt movements to people’s needs and abilities. A request from the Tumor Center in Bonn got me into teaching “yoga for wonky veggies.” I still absolutely love designing movement sequences tailored to individuals and observing how it helps them better deal with chronic illnesses, amputations, or during aftercare. Conventional yoga studios usually don’t have the space, time, or expertise for that.
Angie from NOMB Surf has a similar approach to mine. In both surfing and yoga, there are movement patterns that can be unpleasant or even painful after breast surgeries. It’s just an amazing feeling to work together with her to address this and support the women in growing beyond themselves through their own movement patterns!
NOMB Changes is focusing on female empowerment in 2025. More generally speaking: How does yoga support the empowerment of women?
Through a positive body image, self-acceptance, inner balance and resilience, physical and mental strength, and the connection and exchange with others that makes us feel united. Yoga doesn’t just consist of asanas (physical poses), but also breathing techniques, meditation, and reflecting on how we want to treat ourselves and others.
In Sanskrit, yoga means “to connect” or “connection.” Looking at social injustice, connection is probably the superpower of empowerment!
Are there any specific yoga techniques that help women build their self-confidence?
Haha, I bet Instagram, YouTube and AIs would suggest the so-called “strong asanas” like warrior poses or headstands. That’s too much of an optimization lifestyle for me.
Long story short: Exhale. And then sincerely observe what happens. Don’t worry, inhaling is a survival reflex – it happens on its own. Letting everything go and being able to/must/allowed to endure yourself in the process – that strengthens our self-confidence. Don’t give a damn how you or others look while doing yoga.
How do you practically implement female empowerment at Trancalmate?
By creating a safe space for breasties. These women have usually been through a lot. They don’t just bring a wounded, insecure body, but also fears and deep exhaustion. We coach the women in a way that lets them try things out without having to do anything. Sometimes gently feeling their way in, sometimes hollering and jumping into cold water, melting into relaxation on the mat, or sinking into a cozy soreness in the evening.
Effort, pain, fatigue – somehow everything gets recoded! We’ve never explicitly formulated it as a concept, but it happens all by itself: the women feel that they are regaining control over their lives, they develop new plans, become cheeky, bold, and demanding. And they take that home with them.
And I also think the camp strengthens female empowerment within our team. We’re three very different, very strong women doing our thing. We often have to change or rethink things, but we don’t let others interfere. Because it works and it’s fun. Because it feels right. Because the experiences with the participants warm our hearts and make us proud to be able to have a positive impact!
What can women take away from this for everyday life?
Well, if one of the women hears the loud banging of the breast MRI and it reminds her of her first washing machine in Weißwasser – and while lying there, she’s already planning her next vacation or a new sport – then she’s basically flipping a lively, empowered middle finger to cancer!
A big hug thank-you to Anna for this honest and inspiring interview — and for the incredible work she does to empower women through movement, community, and courage.
Support Empowerment in Action
The upcoming 4th Trancalmate Camp will once again be joined by Angie, our co-founder and professional surf coach, whose inclusive approach makes it possible for every woman to connect with the waves on her own terms. Also joining the Trancalmate crew is Ray, NOMB Changes active member and Head of Communication & PR — she’ll be bringing her leopard crazyness and creativity to the kitchen, nourishing everyone with delicious, soul-fueling meals.
Projects like Trancalmate create life-changing spaces for women affected by breast cancer — spaces of healing, strength, and solidarity. With your support, we can keep making them happen. Every contribution makes a wave of difference.
👉 Donate now to help us fund inclusive, empowering surf and yoga experiences.
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