Behind the Bra

Behind the Bra

By Barbells for BoobsBusinessNon-Profit
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Behind the Bra episodes

  • GOOD - Wendy

    We are kicking off the Behind the Bra Good Series with Wendy Nielsen, a registered dietitian, photographer, and CrossFit athlete from St. Paul, Minnesota. 


    Wendy was diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer in September of 2018 at the age of 40. Having watched her mom navigate a breast cancer diagnosis 13 years earlier, Wendy opted to have a double mastectomy in order to forgo other treatment options. 

    It took a while for her to come out of the dust of her diagnosis, and through two surgeries, Wendy admits she was mostly living in survival mode, thinking that she'd forget all about this time of her life once it was all over. But as we've heard from most of the women in our programs, the emotional effects of a diagnosis last a lifetime. 

    In this first episode of the GOOD series, Wendy discusses all the good that has come from receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, her growing relationship with her family and learning the meaning of self-care. To hear more about the good, tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast 2.0: The GOOD Series. And to learn more about Wendy's story, check out episode 20 of the Behind the Bra Podcast.

    56 min
  • Lori, Stage 2

    "You can make the CHOICE to be positive"


    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast this week as Lori Shaw is joined by her awesome husband Nick and together they discuss the struggles of a breast cancer diagnosis while also highlighting the good things the diagnosis has brought to their family.

    Lori and Nick are a perfect example of a healthy and active couple and the fact that breast cancer does not discriminate. They first met in New York City where they were both living at the time. Lori's active lifestyle led her to a personal training gym where Nick would eventually become her personal trainer. Lori is the author of several cookbooks, including one mini-ecookbook that was just released on Monday (10/12) and Nick is the founder of RP Strength, a nutrition and diet coaching app. His book, Fit for Success, will be out in early November.  

    When Lori had pain in her armpit and a small lump, the doctors assured her it was nothing and the health care system even pushed back on her decision to have an ultrasound. Shortly after advocating for her health, Lori was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Join us as Lori and Nick discuss cancer during Covid, what it takes to run a successful business, and how looking at the good in a time of despair is the healthiest thing you can do for your family. Don't miss this long-anticipated, incredible Behind the Bra podcast episode!

    #barbellsforboobs #breastcancer #nonprofit #charity #breastcancersurvivor #BehindTheBra #podcast #RaiseTheBar

    1 hr 4 min
  • Robin, Stage 2

    "You need to be your own advocate for your health"


    Robin is a mom, physical therapist, competitive athlete, and a breast cancer survivor/ thriver who reminds us that breast cancer DOES NOT discriminate. Robin grew up in a military family and lived in 10 different states before entering college. Her dedication to gymnastics as a young girl gave her drive and purpose. It not only prepared her for her physically active future, but it also taught her structure and discipline in school, in athletics, and in life.

    Robin's history competing in gymnastics set her up for success in the world of CrossFit and eventually, she became competitive in CrossFit as well. Like a lot of the women in our programs, Robin admits that at the time of her breast cancer diagnosis, she was the healthiest she's ever been. When she first discovered a lump on Christmas Eve in 2015, she had just finished the '12 days of Chrismas' WOD.

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast and listen to Robin's incredible story as she stresses the importance of advocating for your health, that it is OKAY to get a 2nd opinion, and that breast cancer doesn't discriminate!

    #barbellsforboobs #breastcancer #charity #behindthebra #podcast #breastcancerawareness #breastcancersurvivor #breastcancerTHRIVER

    53 min
  • Kristin, Stage 4

    "Breast cancer made me realize what was important in life. People will remember how you made them feel"


    Kristin is a badass warrior of breast cancer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up an active kid, Kristin was always involved in sports and at 14 even decided she wanted to be a bodybuilder. 

    No matter the goals set before her, Kristin prides herself on always accomplishing them. From pursuing a career as an Air Traffic Controller to eventually reaching that goal of being on stage at a bodybuilding competition, she lets nothing stand in her way.

    It was only 2 months after her first competition and 2 months before her second, that while in the best shape of her life, Kristin heard the words "you have breast cancer." 

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast this week to listen to Kristin's story while she explains how she navigated multiple breast cancer diagnoses and how she refuses to let her metastatic diagnosis stop her!

    2 hr 22 min
  • Katie, Stage 1

    Mother, athlete, currently going through treatment


    "Realize you can't control everything and that's okay."

    Katie is a mom and an athlete from New Hampshire and she is currently going through treatment for Stage 1 Breast Cancer. She grew up an athlete. Always active and involved in sports, Katie has valued health and fitness her whole life. After being involved in CrossFit for a short time, Katie and her husband became CF coaches and eventually opened their own gym. 

    At 34 years old, Katie was in the best shape of her life when, on March 25th of this year, just days after Covid-19 forced the country into a lockdown, Katie's world was turned completely upside down when she heard those life-changing words, "You have breast cancer." 

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast this week and listen as Katie shares how she coped with her diagnosis while dealing with a global pandemic, and how she has always tried to find the positives in negative situations.

    51 min
  • Angela, Stage 2

    "Cancer has been a part of my life, but it is NOT my life."


    This week's Behind the Bra Podcast features Angela who is a complete and total badass!! She is a motorcycle riding, weightlifting/powerlifting mom, and athlete and breast cancer survivor for over 20 years.

    With a ton of athletic achievements under her belt, Angela is proof that breast cancer does not discriminate. After her diagnosis at just 29 years old, Angela showed what it meant to be an advocate for your health. She went through 4 doctors before she was finally given a lumpectomy!

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast and hear Angela's story and listen as she explains how a preacher machine may have saved her life and how breast cancer is a good enough excuse to go buy your dream car.

    48 min
  • Mary, Stage 0

    "Don't take life for granted. Be strong. Be mindful of those around you"


    Mary is a personal trainer and community health educator originally from Staten Island, NY and now resides in central New Jersey. Mary embraced her athletic ability at a young age, recognizing that sports gave her confidence and ultimately saved her life. On September 10, 2001, Mary enlisted in the Army and served for 6 years. Did you know that women in the military are 20-40% more likely to get breast cancer?!

    When Mary was born, doctors told her parents that she wouldn't amount to much, because of a facial birth defect. With the unconditional love of her parents, Mary was taught how to be strong early on. 

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast this week as Mary shares with us her incredible story of perseverance through childhood struggles, discrimination, and how she navigated a breast cancer diagnosis at just 33 years old.

    1 hr 2 min
  • Sarah, Stage 1

    "Shit Happens; things fall into place"


    Sarah is a breast cancer survivor and fitness enthusiast from Seattle, Washington. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Sarah has traveled and lived all over the world. From South Africa (her favorite) all the way to Taiwan. She settled in Seattle nearly four years ago when her job in Occupational Health and Safety pointed her to the Pacific Northwest. 

    At just 31 years old she got a feeling that something wasn't quite right with her body and she confidently brought her concerns to her doctor. Having been an athlete for most of her life, and involved in CrossFit for several years, Sarah was in the best shape of her life, when she heard the unexpected words, "You have Breast Cancer."

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast and listen to Sarah's heartwarming story as she candidly explains the struggles of decision making that a diagnosis brings and how sometimes all you have to do is flip a coin.

    49 min
  • Emma, Stage 0

    "Don't sweat the small stuff. Be true to yourself. It doesn't have to be a death sentence."


    Emma is a wife, mom, athlete, and survivor from Redondo Beach, California. She came to America from Australia to pursue a Kinesiology degree and this path eventually led her to become a PE teacher, as well as a school counselor.

    A long family history of breast cancer motivated Emma to seek early detection methods and at 25 years old Emma began getting her yearly mammograms. Because of her knowledge about the importance of early detection, her physical education background, and her fitness level, when she went in for her first biopsy, the words "You're not supposed to be here" were heard often. 

    Tune in to the Behind the Bra Podcast and listen as Emma shares her unbelievable story about how she didn't know she had breast cancer until after the fact and how the choices she made to be preventatively saved her life.

    1 hr 12 min
  • Katelyn, Stage 2

    "I've learned so much about patience. We need to be less busy"


    Katelyn is a 30-year-old wife, sister, survivor, and athlete from Poland, Maine, and was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at just 29 years old.

    Katelyn has considered herself an athlete since childhood, participating in nearly every sport and even pursuing soccer and softball into college. She was introduced to CrossFit 10 years ago when she and her sister were looking for a good way to stay in shape. A well-rounded athlete, Katelyn also pursued her dream of running a marathon. 

    Katelyn and her husband had just bought a new home, Katelyn was staying busy at work, and was in the best shape of her life when she found out she was pregnant. Right when life seemed to be on the right track, Katelyn was faced with the most heartbreaking loss a woman could endure. And THEN came those words, "You have breast cancer."

    You do not want to miss the Behind the Bra Podcast this week to hear Katelyn's inspiring story of heartbreak and healing as she unveils how she walked through her diagnosis while dealing with everything else life had to throw at her.

    1 hr 16 min

About Behind the Bra

From the publisher's feed

There is a lack of education about the benefits of physical activity for breast cancer patients and survivors and little access to safe and effective fitness instruction. Health and fitness protocol…