Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

How many times have you told yourself: "I can't lose weight," "I don't have time," "I just can't stop"? Whether it's avoiding a difficult decision or coping with emotions through food, alcohol, or other habits—you're not alone. But you can change these behaviors when you understand where they really begin.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm sharing personal stories about facing fear, making tough decisions, and breaking out of the thought-emotion-behavior cycle that keeps us stuck. You'll learn how to identify the emotions behind your actions—and how to trace them back to the thoughts that created them.

This episode is for you if:

• You feel stuck in patterns you want to change—whether it's emotional eating, procrastination, or overwhelm

• You're ready to stop avoiding fear and start taking intentional action

• You want to understand the deeper connection between your thoughts, emotions, and habits

• You're craving a breakthrough moment—and a real strategy to help you get there

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Inflammation is more than just a buzzword—it's widely recognized as a root cause of not only cancer, but also heart disease, diabetes, and many other chronic conditions. And as a breast cancer survivor, you've likely felt the toll that treatment-related inflammation can take—whether it's joint pain, digestive issues, or lingering fatigue.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll learn how to take real, affordable steps to reduce inflammation naturally—without falling for gimmicky products or overpriced "cures."

You'll hear:

• Five simple, lifestyle changes you can make right now to calm inflammation and support recovery

• A deep dive into three powerful, easy-to-find botanicals backed by science for their anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting benefits

• How to use these botanicals in everyday life—even if you don't love cooking or have a complicated wellness routine

• The truth about inflammation and how you can empower yourself with gentle, sustainable healing practices

This episode is for you if:

• You're dealing with lingering pain, stiffness, or inflammation after treatment

• You want to reduce your risk of chronic disease without relying on medication alone

• You're curious about natural, evidence-based approaches to healing

• You're ready to feel more comfortable, energized, and in control of your body again

Resources:

Integrative Oncology: A Healthier Way to Fight Cancer

Berberine reverses lapatinib resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer cells by increasing the level of ROS

Synergistic chemopreventive effects of curcumin and berberine on human breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and autophagic cell death

Berberine in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy of Boswellia-based cream for prevention of adjuvant radiotherapy skin damage in mammary carcinoma: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center About Herbs App

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs website

Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation

Effect of bromelain on kaolin-induced inflammation in rats.

Supplements:

Banyan Botanicals Boswellia Powder

Sunergetic Premium Berberine Supplement

NusaPure Bromelain 1500mg

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Clichés are everywhere—but some of them carry powerful truths that can change the way we live, heal, and grow.

In this special birthday episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm sharing three simple but profound truths that have stood out to me through my own life experience and in the lives of the incredible women I've coached. These aren't just feel-good sayings—they're perspectives that can release you from unnecessary struggle, help you stop wrestling with what you can't control, and open the door to real happiness.

You'll also hear about the one lie we often believe that keeps us stuck—and how to shift away from it to create a more peaceful, fulfilling life.

This episode is for you if:

• You're ready to release emotional burdens and start fresh

• You want to feel more empowered and less at odds with life after cancer

• You've been craving a mindset shift that feels gentle, honest, and doable

• You love a little birthday wisdom served with compassion and truth

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It's one of the most common—and often unspoken—struggles breast cancer survivors face: the fear of recurrence. Whether it's a strange pain, ongoing fatigue, or just catching too many colds, it can be all too easy to assume the worst.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we talk about the emotional toll this fear can take, and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion. I'll share a recent personal experience connecting with others about fear of recurrence, and what I learned that might help you feel less alone.

You'll also learn:

• The key difference between worry and anxiety—and why that matters for your healing

• Why nearly 40% of breast cancer survivors experience moderate to severe fear of recurrence

• Simple, accessible strategies to manage anxious thoughts and reconnect with calm and safety

• How to shift your mindset from fear-based thinking to more grounded, supportive awareness

This episode is for you if:

• You often feel overwhelmed by "what if" thoughts about your health

• You want to better understand your emotional responses and how to calm them

• You're ready to stop living in fear and start feeling more in control of your healing journey

• You want support from someone who's been there and gets it

10 Crucial Differences Between Worry and Anxiety

Cancer Worry Scale

Anxiety and Physical Illness

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Living an intentional life isn't just about setting goals or keeping a perfectly organized schedule. In fact, intentional living goes deeper—it's about aligning your life with authenticity, purpose, and gratitude, especially after a life-altering experience like breast cancer.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll hear the difference between goals and intentions, and how shifting your focus from achievement to awareness can help you release the feeling of struggle and start living more fully and peacefully.

You'll learn how to:

• Set intentions that reflect your true self, not just external expectations

• Create space for meaning and joy—even if you're not chasing traditional goals

• Cultivate daily practices that help you stay grounded in authenticity

• Use intention to support your emotional healing and rediscover what really matters

This episode is for you if:

• You're feeling disconnected or unsure of what life should look like post-treatment

• You've tried setting goals, but still feel unfulfilled or stuck

• You want to live more meaningfully, with less pressure and more self-compassion

• You're ready to embrace intention as a tool for healing and personal growth

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In Part 1, I shared my personal journey with intermittent fasting—including how it helped me lose weight, stabilize blood sugar, and improve digestion. In Part 2 of this special series on Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we take a deeper dive into the science behind intermittent fasting and explore why this dietary strategy is producing such powerful results.

You'll learn how intermittent fasting differs from traditional calorie-restricted diets, why it's not the same as starvation, and what clinical studies are revealing about its impact on weight loss, insulin resistance, metabolic health, and even cancer prevention.

We'll also explore:

• The difference between when you eat vs. what you eat

• How intermittent fasting targets stored fat (including organ fat)

• Practical ways to integrate fasting into your life with minimal discomfort

• Tips to manage hunger, timing, and lifestyle challenges

This episode is for you if:

• You want to understand how intermittent fasting works biologically

• You're looking for sustainable, science-based ways to manage weight and blood sugar

• You've struggled with traditional dieting and want a strategy that fits your life

• You're interested in non-toxic, natural tools to reduce inflammation and support cancer prevention

Resources:

Fast Your Way to Wellness Program Valter Longo on fasting, longevity and disease Prolon: Fast Mimicking Diet

Studies:

Fasting and Caloric Restriction in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of Tamoxifen-related Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Breast Cancer Patients RCT of Caloric Restriction vs. Alternate-Day Fasting in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Books:

The Obesity Code - Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Book 1) (The Code Series, 1)

Fast Your Way to Wellness: Supercharged Food

The Longevity Diet: Slow Aging, Fight Disease, Optimize Weight

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Intermittent fasting is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about strategies in nutrition—and for good reason. It's simple, flexible, and when done correctly, can lead to remarkable health improvements, especially for breast cancer survivors working to manage weight, blood sugar, and long-term wellness.

In Part 1 of this two-part series on Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm sharing my personal journey with intermittent fasting—why I decided to try it, how I lost 20 pounds in under two months, and the exact strategy and resources that helped me along the way.

As breast cancer survivors, managing weight is more than just a number—it's about lowering inflammation, reducing recurrence risk, and improving treatment outcomes. Intermittent fasting offers a science-backed way to support these goals naturally, without counting calories or cutting out entire food groups.

This episode is for you if:

• You're struggling with post-treatment weight gain or metabolic changes

• You're curious about intermittent fasting but don't know where to begin

• You want a free, flexible tool that fits your life—not the other way around

• You're ready to feel empowered and in control of your health again

Resources:

Fast Your Way to Wellness Program

The Fasting Method

Books:

The Obesity Code - Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Book 1) (The Code Series, 1)

Fast Your Way to Wellness: Supercharged Food

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When you listen closely to the voices of other breast cancer survivors, there's a shared theme that resonates deeply—the need to be heard, understood, and validated. Whether it's justifying your lifestyle choices, explaining side effects that others dismiss, or trying to articulate the long-term emotional and physical toll of treatment, the desire for others to get it runs deep.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore why that need for validation is so strong, what it means to feel unheard, and how that can affect your healing journey. More importantly, you'll learn a powerful self-reflection exercise that can help you connect with your own truth—so you can begin to feel grounded and understood from within, even when the world doesn't quite catch up.

This episode is for you if:

• You feel frustrated when people don't understand what you're going through

• You often find yourself overexplaining or justifying your health choices

• You're emotionally drained from trying to get others to recognize your experience

• You're ready to find peace and confidence in your own truth—without needing outside approval

Resources:

Information on Life Interrupted

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals

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When it comes to breast cancer, few words strike fear more deeply than metastatic disease. But what if the story doesn't end there? What if it becomes the beginning of something powerful?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll meet Lesley Glenn, a metastatic breast cancer survivor who has not only defied the odds but is living her dream life seven years after her diagnosis. Alongside co-founder Marissa Garavito, Lesley created Climb for a Cure—a growing annual event in Diamond Bar, California dedicated to raising funds for metastatic breast cancer research and spreading hope for a better future.

You'll hear:

• How Lesley moved from fear to purpose after her metastatic diagnosis

• The origin story of Climb for a Cure and how it continues to grow and impact lives

• Marissa's personal insight into what it's like to support someone with metastatic disease

• How you can join this empowering event on October 26, 2019, and support this vital cause

This episode is for you if:

• You want real-life inspiration from a metastatic breast cancer survivor

• You're looking for ways to support research and raise awareness for metastatic disease

• You're curious about how to turn a diagnosis into a mission that impacts thousands

• You're ready to connect with a cause that's rooted in love, purpose, and fierce advocacy

Follow Marissa:

Email: [email protected]Website: www.MakeMoves.fitIG: https://www.instagram.com/makemoves.fit/

Follow Lesley:

On instagram: @livingauthenticallylesley Blog: www.livingauthenticallylesley.com Contact her: [email protected]

Register to participate in Climb for a Cure:

https://climbforacure.net/

Resources:

Everything Is Figureoutable

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In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're joined by Mary Ann Eller, breast cancer survivor and Clinical Services Coordinator for Speech-Language Pathology at Duke Regional Hospital. Mary Ann shares her personal journey through chemo brain, including how it affected her professionally and emotionally—and what she's doing to adapt, manage, and even thrive despite its ongoing challenges.

You'll learn:

• What chemo brain really is, and how it shows up in day-to-day life

• The strategies Mary Ann uses to support her memory and communication

• How to talk with your doctor about cognitive changes after treatment

• Resources from ASHA and beyond to support brain health during recovery

This episode is for you if:

• You've noticed cognitive changes like forgetfulness or brain fog after chemo

• You want practical tips to manage mental fatigue and memory lapses

• You're looking for validation that what you're going through is real—and manageable

• You want to feel more confident in your ability to communicate and function clearly after cancer

Resources:

Mary Ann's article

There's No Good Card for That from Everything Happens with Kate Bowler in Podcasts

Emily McDowell website

There Is No Good Card for This: What To Say and Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love

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