In January, one of our Kic community members, Ellie, messaged us on Instagram asking to share her story of being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer diagnosis at just 31 years old.
Ellie noticed a lump in one of her breasts last August. When it didn’t go away, Ellie made an appointment to get it checked out by her GP. Within days, Ellie underwent an ultrasound and biopsy to find out it was breast cancer, which led to more biopsies, an egg retrieval and chemotherapy. Ellie’s plans for a holiday in Europe, starting a family, and her work as a midwife & nurse, were all put on pause while she underwent six months of chemo.
We spoke to Ellie a few weeks before she was having a surgery to determine whether or not she would need a double mastectomy.
After our conversation with Ellie, we speak with Kirsten Pilatti, the CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia, about the importance of doing regular breast checks and seeking help if you notice something looks or feels different.
Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia https://www.bcna.org.au/ 
FOLLOW US
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An important conversation about breast cancer with Kic community member Ellie

KICPOD is a D&amp;M with your besties on the stuff that matters. Hosted by Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw, founders of Kic, a health &amp; wellness app that focuses on feeling your best, not looking a certain way. To learn more you can find them on Instagram at @kicpod, @kic.app, @stephclairesmith and @laura.henshaw or visit their website kicapp.com

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Mental Health

Jess Sanders is a social worker and children’s author. Her latest book ‘You Can Do Hard Things - A Little One’s Guide For Not Giving Up’ helps children see disappointments as opportunities.
A growth mindset empowers children to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. From building blocks, to learning times tables, children are constantly faced with difficulties, and a growth mindset helps children believe they are capable of overcoming these difficulties, if not today, then one day.
In this conversation, Steph speaks with Jess about what a growth mindset actually means, how parents can model a growth mindset themselves, why children should experience failure and disappointment and what they can learn from it, not trying to “fix” our children’s emotions and giving children the tools to build their self-confidence.
Check out Jess' latest book 'Life Lessons for Little Ones: You Can Do Hard Things' https://www.booktopia.com.au/life-lessons-for-little-ones-you-can-do-hard-things-jess-sanders/book/9781922930316.html 
KIC UPDATE
Whether you’re a new mum, soon-to-be mum or all you want in life is to be a mum, no matter what kind of mum you are, Kic is here to help you make time for you. We’re treating our KICBUMP community to 1 month free with Kic. If you’re already a Kic member, you can share this code with the amazing women in your life. 
The code 1MONTH4MUM is available via www.kicapp.com until next Wednesday May 15th.
FOLLOW US
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Jess @iamjesssanders on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Join our virtual mothers' group in the the KICBUMP Facebook group. Search 'KICBUMP Community'
Kic @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Letting kids fail & encouraging a growth mindset - KICBUMP with Jess Sanders

Our stories of overthinking and overexplaining! Laura shares what happened when she spent the day rubbing her eyes and tried to buy three bottles of wine on a Friday night (without looking in the mirror) and Steph reveals a recent email fail. Then we hear your stories of overthinking. Overthinkers, hypochondriacs, anxious girlies…you’re all welcome here.
Plus we open the mailbox to answer one of your DMs about running: “how do you know the difference between listening to your body vs breaking the mental barrier of “I can do it?”
And we want to give you a nickname! Are you a Little Ray (of sunshine) or a Cloudy? Have your say in the closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/ 
And it’s the final week of the KICPOD audience survey! Tell us what you think of the podcast and you’ll go in the running to win a $100 Visa e-gift card https://form.typeform.com/to/wzd5Wuuu 
SPECIAL SHARES

Steph: The Tortured Poet’s Department - Taylor Swift AND A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Laura: Joy Decision from The Imperfects podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dr-emily-joy-decision/id1476501557?i=1000653132952

Kic UPDATE
Join is for the final Kic Run Club meet up this Saturday in Sydney! We’re meeting at the North Bondi Surf Club at 7:30am. There will be giveaways from New Balance and a relaxation station for after your run. No matter how far you can run, come join us! 
Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kicrun-club-north-bondi-meet-up-tickets-888002568587 
FOLLOW US
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you an overthinker? Welcome to the club

When Ash Paraskevas was in her early 20’s she was in a longterm relationship, studying law (as the first person in her family to attend uni) and competing in Miss World. From the outside - it looked like she had it all. But inside she was struggling with severe anxiety, depression, domestic abuse and changing everything about herself to try and fit in and be loved.
In this episode Ash generously shares how she built herself back from rock bottom to a place where she’s now living fully and authentically as herself and proud of it, including stripping back the layer of who she thought she “should” be and stepping into her sexuality as a lesbian woman.
We loved this chat and can’t wait to have Ash back on for a part two BUT you can also hear more from Ash in Liv Rogers’ podcast ‘Tell Me More’ https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-superpower-of-vulnerability-with-ash-paraskevas-part-1/id1716520554?i=1000640936889 
FOLLOW US
Ash @ashparaskevas on Instagram
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Ash Paraskevas @ashparaskevas on Instagram
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Ash Paraskevas built her self-confidence back from rock bottom

We saw a TikTok about "food noise" and we want to talk about it. "Food noise" is the relentless thoughts about food and eating that unfortunately so many of us have experienced or still do experience. We reflect on how food noise still shows up for us regardless of how much effort we put into combating these thoughts, and what we can do to try and break the cycle.
If you experience food noise, disordered eating or an eating disorder, support is available at the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 from 8am - midnight (AEST/AEDT) 7 days a week.
Then we bring back Kic Court! You asked: “my friend is having a child-free wedding. Can I still bring my baby and excuse myself if they make noise?” Buckle up, Kic Court is in session.
And the KICPOD Audience Survey is still live! Tell us what you think of the podcast and you'll go in the running to win a $100 Visa e-gift card https://form.typeform.com/to/wzd5Wuuu 
SPECIAL SHARES

Steph: Jojo Siwa on the Call Her Daddy Podcast with Alex Cooper https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/jojo-siwa-the-woman-behind-the-bow/id1418960261?i=1000651989527 
Laura: Scoop on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81600418 

Kic UPDATE
Ready for something that HIITs different? Join Laura in the yellow room for a series of brand new 5 to 15-minute workouts. We’ve partnered with frank green to bring more energy, motivation and feel-good vibes to your dreaded HIIT session. Don’t believe us? Try just ONE of Laura's HIIT classes and you’ll go in the draw to win an entire year with Kic and a prize pack from frank green.
FOLLOW US
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vicious cycle of food fixation

This episode is tough but a really important conversation for every parent and person with young people in their lives. Grooming refers to an older child or adult establishing a trusting relationship with a child or their family to sexually abuse or exploit the child. The average age that a child is abused is 6.8 years old and 90% of children who are abused know their abuser. 
To help make sense of it all, Steph speaks with Jayneen Sanders. Jayneen is a mum of three, author and educator who writes children’s books on body boundaries, respect, consent, body safety, feelings and emotions.
In this episode, they speak about what grooming actually is, the red flags parents can look out for, how parents can live with the fear of letting their children out of their sights, what to do if you suspect your child is being groomed, and what support exists.
GET SUPPORT
Raising Children Network https://raisingchildren.net.au/ 
Centre Against Sexual Assault https://casacv.org.au/ 
FOLLOW US
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Jayneen @jayneensanders on Instagram & @educate2empower
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Join our virtual mothers' group in the the KICBUMP Facebook group. Search 'KICBUMP Community'
Kic @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An important conversation about breast cancer with Kic community member Ellie

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