Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Breast cancer doesn't end when treatment does. In fact, for many women, that's when the real work begins—figuring out how to feel whole again, how to process the trauma, and how to rebuild a life that actually feels good.

In this heartfelt episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll hear from three incredible women—Mary Jo Wentzel, Mary Ann Eller, and Kelly Busch—who share how the REVIVIFY breast cancer recovery course has supported their emotional healing, physical wellness, and mindset transformation after treatment.

We talk openly about the often-overlooked reality of breast cancer recovery:

• The emotional toll of survivorship and why "back to normal" isn't realistic

• The frustration of feeling dismissed by doctors and loved ones

• The healing power of community, connection, and tools that actually work

If you've felt lost, alone, or unsure how to take care of your body and mind after cancer, this conversation will remind you—you're not broken, and you're not alone.

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After breast cancer treatment, it's common to feel lost in a swirl of emotions—pain, vulnerability, confusion—even as everyone around you expects strength and resilience. In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm opening up a conversation we don't have often enough: What if you're not okay after cancer treatment—and that's okay to admit?

We'll talk about why ignoring emotional pain can keep you stuck, how to recognize the disconnect between your inner world and outside expectations, and why allowing yourself to feel and name your emotions can be the most healing step forward.

You'll learn:

• Why reactions to others' stories can reveal your own hidden pain

• How emotional suppression shows up as anxiety, meltdowns, or feeling misunderstood

• The science behind how the body stores unspoken emotions

• How processing your experience moves you from cancer survivor to living fully again

Whether you're feeling emotionally stuck after breast cancer or just tired of pretending to be "strong," this episode will remind you that healing isn't about denying pain—it's about honoring it.

Resources:

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Denial: A Memoir

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In this follow-up episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're continuing the conversation with Dr. Stephanie Green, a family medicine specialist who's seen firsthand just how vital sleep is as a pillar of healing and long-term health.

In Part 2, Dr. Green dives deeper into how sleep affects women after breast cancer treatment and during menopause—sharing practical tools, real patient stories, and the red flags that could indicate a sleep disturbance you might not even realize you have.

You'll learn:

• What signs and symptoms could mean your sleep is quietly sabotaging your health

• How proper sleep hygiene can ease hormonal symptoms and improve quality of life

• Why even small changes to your environment can lead to big improvements in rest

• The surprising role of dentistry in identifying airway issues that affect sleep

• How the lack of collaboration between medical specialties may be keeping women from getting the care they need

• What you should know about insurance coverage, the sleep study process, and modern treatment options

• Common myths about sleep apnea and CPAP machines that may be keeping you from getting help

If you've ever blamed aging, menopause, or stress for your sleep issues, this episode will help you look at things in a whole new way—and give you hope that better sleep is possible.

If you haven't listened to Part 1 click here and do that now, you don't want to miss out!

Resources

Gasp!: Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness

Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones

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In this enlightening episode, join us as we dive deep into the world of sleep with Dr. Stephanie Green, a seasoned family medicine specialist from Long Beach, CA. Over her two-decade-long career, Dr. Green has witnessed a transformation in her practice, placing a growing emphasis on sleep studies. Why? She's seen the profound effects of optimal sleep on overall health.

Delve into the intricacies of sleep with Dr. Green, as she underscores the risks associated with disrupted sleep, from the dangers of low oxygen levels to increased susceptibility to ailments such as breast cancer, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Learn about the essentials of sleep patterns, the nuances of sleep hygiene, and be captivated by real-life accounts of patients who've revitalized their lives simply by addressing their sleep issues.

A personal experience catalyzed Dr. Green's passion for sleep studies: her father's own unanticipated severe sleep apnea diagnosis prior to surgery. This revelation prompted her to collaborate with sleep specialists and delve into extensive research, unearthing surprising and invaluable insights.

The wealth of knowledge Dr. Green imparts couldn't be confined to a single episode; hence, we're bringing you a two-part series.

In part one, you'll explore:

• The intricacies of sleep apnea and UARS.
• The surprising demographics most prone to sleep disorders.
• The essence of a natural circadian rhythm.
• Tips for cultivating effective sleep hygiene.

Ensure you're well-rested and ready; this is one episode you won't want to doze off on!

Resources:

Gasp!: Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness

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This week on Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm joined by a powerful guest—Tanya Saunders, a certified Pause Breathwork Facilitator I had the pleasure of meeting at a conference last September. And I have to say… what she shares in this episode might just change the way you think about healing.

One of the biggest struggles I see in women after breast cancer is this quiet, painful disconnect from their bodies. They're angry, confused, sad, and full of questions like "Why did this happen to me?" But too often, they silence those feelings by saying, "I should just be grateful I'm alive."

Tanya is here to tell you: it's okay to sit with those emotions. In fact, it's necessary for true healing.

In this episode, we talk about how trauma shows up in the body—especially after a life-altering diagnosis—and how Pause Breathwork can help you safely reconnect to your body, your energy, and your emotions.

You'll hear:

• Why unresolved trauma creates what Tanya calls an "embodied violation hangover"

• How Pause Breathwork helps release stuck emotions like fear, resentment, and grief

• The types of breathwork practices available and how to get started

• How your nervous system responds to trauma—and how to support it in recovery

• Why feeling your emotions is the first step toward true healing

If you've ever struggled with body image, anger, or a sense of disconnection after cancer, this episode is your permission to feel—and your invitation to heal.

Resources:

Get your free Breathwork experience with Tanya Saunders

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Tanya Saunders

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Since the 1960s, five-year survival rates after a cancer diagnosis have increased by nearly 40%. And while that's something to celebrate, it also means more of us are navigating the after—the part no one really prepares us for.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're talking about what life looks like after treatment ends. The physical side effects, the emotional struggles, the long-term medications… and the quiet grief and fear that linger for both survivors and the people who love them.

Cancer doesn't just change you—it changes your relationships. Your spouse, your kids, your siblings, your best friends… they carry trauma too. They're the silent witnesses who walk alongside us, sometimes without the space or tools to process what they've endured.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Four common perspectives that shape the post-cancer experience—for both survivors and loved ones

• How to open up meaningful conversations with those who supported you

• The way your healing journey affects (and reflects) your loved ones' responses

• How to acknowledge and honor the emotional toll cancer takes on your "champions"

• Where to find connection, understanding, and community as you move forward

If you've ever felt misunderstood or struggled to explain what life after cancer really feels like—or wondered how to better support the people who stood by you—this episode offers clarity, compassion, and connection.

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In this heartfelt episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're talking about caring for all of your lady parts—including your beautiful mind.

In honor of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, I'm joined by my sister, Kristie Wood, a cervical cancer survivor, to share why staying on top of your well woman exams is more important than ever—especially if you've been through cancer treatment and tend to put your own needs last.

But we don't stop there.

We dig into something so many of us struggle with: the mental and physical clutter that keeps us stuck. From limiting beliefs to emotional baggage to chaotic environments, the noise in your mind and life may be the very thing blocking your healing and growth.

You'll hear:

• Why self-care is not selfish

• How confidence starts with how you show up for yourself

• The powerful difference between spending and investing in your well-being

• How your outer world reflects your inner world

• What it actually takes to create real, lasting change after trauma

If you've ever felt like there's no space left for you in your own life, this episode will inspire you to start making that space—guilt-free and full of purpose.

Resources:

Join the free Breast Cancer Recovery Group

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As a healthy lifestyle coach and breast cancer survivor, if I could tell you to focus on just one thing that would lift your mood, strengthen your body, boost your confidence, reduce your risk of disease, support a healthy weight, help you sleep better, and lower your stress levels… this episode is all about that thing.

Sound too good to be true? It's not. The best part? You already know what it is… you're probably just not doing it consistently (yet!).

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm sharing the most powerful habit you can build—one that has transformed my life and the lives of countless women I've coached. And I'm not just giving you the why—I'm giving you the how so you can take action right now.

So, grab your headphones, get up, and walk while you listen. Let's turn knowledge into action and start building the habit that could truly change your life in the next three months.

Resources:

How your mental health reaps the benefits of exercise

Cancer Exercise Training Institute

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We all love the energy of a fresh start in January. But let's be honest—most New Year's resolutions don't make it past Valentine's Day. It's not because your goals aren't good ones. It's because without a plan, a process, and the right mindset, goals quickly lose their momentum.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're talking about why your goal isn't the problem—it's the system you need to support lasting change. Whether you're aiming to shift your weight, your habits, or how you see yourself, I'll walk you through the real reason most resolutions fizzle out—and how you can avoid that trap.

You'll hear:

• Why intention without action keeps you stuck

• What it really takes to create change that lasts

• How to move from wishful thinking to a solid, feel-good plan

If you're ready to do more than just hope things will change this year, this episode will help you start with clarity and confidence. You deserve a life that feels better than before—so let's get real and get started.

Resources:

Everything Is Figureoutable

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Click here for your action sheet

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In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm joined by Dr. Robert Nagourney—medical oncologist, researcher, and Founder of the Nagourney Cancer Institute. With over two decades of experience and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Nagourney is a pioneer in personalized cancer therapy and integrative oncology.

We dive into what's missing in today's conventional cancer treatments—and why personalized care is not just the future, but a necessity.

You'll learn:

• Why change is critical in cancer treatment today

• What personalized cancer care actually means—and how it can improve survival and reduce toxicity

• How patients can take an active role in their cancer care

• Options beyond standard treatment protocols to improve outcomes

• The impact of lifestyle choices on treatment success and recovery

• The importance of awareness and agency when living with metastatic disease

• A surprising, evidence-based medicine that may offer significant health support

Dr. Nagourney brings not only decades of clinical insight but deep compassion and commitment to helping people with cancer access smarter, more effective care. His perspective is refreshing, hopeful, and deeply human.

Whether you or someone you love is navigating cancer treatment, or you're passionate about the future of integrative oncology, this episode offers valuable knowledge, encouragement, and a new way to think about healing.

Resources:

TEDx "The future of Cancer Research Lies Behind Us"

WSJ Article: "Every Cancer Patient is One in a Billion"

USA Today Article On Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor

The Nagourney Cancer Institute

Books: Outliving Cancer

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