Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

In honor of National Chocolate Day, we're diving into one of life's most delicious mysteries—why we crave chocolate, and what science (and ancient wisdom) has to say about it. Is it the magnesium? The serotonin boost? Or maybe the emotional comfort? Tune in to hear what researchers think might really be going on.

You'll also get my favorite resource for plant-based, low-sugar chocolate treats that don't spike inflammation—because you can love chocolate and support your healing at the same time.

And that's not all! In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll learn about an Ayurvedic herb that's gaining major traction in Western medicine for its powerful effects on blood sugar regulation—so powerful, in fact, that a pharmaceutical drug was created based on its active compound.

This episode is for you if:

• You love chocolate and want a healthier way to enjoy it

• You're curious about cravings and what they say about your body

• You want to support your blood sugar naturally through food and herbs

• You're ready to jumpstart your healing with a chance to win free access to the REVIVIFY course

Resources for this episode:

Chocolate...food or drug?

The Minimalist Baker

No Bake Vegan Brownies

The Bliss of Chocolate, An Ayurvedic Perspective

Banyan Botanicals Shardunika Powder - Certified Organic, 1/2 Pound - Gymnema sylvestre - Supports healthy blood glucose levels and proper function of the pancreas*

Banyan Botanicals Sweet Ease - Certified Organic, 90 Tablets - Reduces Kapha and Promotes Healthy Blood Glucose Levels

Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking: 101 Entirely Plant-based, Mostly Gluten-Free, Easy and Delicious Recipes

The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach Website

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One of the most challenging parts of breast cancer recovery isn't just the treatment—it's what happens after treatment ends. The emotional aftermath, the unexpected identity shifts, and the grief over a life that no longer looks or feels the same can leave survivors feeling unanchored and overwhelmed.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we take a compassionate, science-backed look at why navigating post-treatment change is so hard—and how learning to embrace life's impermanence can actually lead to greater peace, purpose, and happiness.

You'll hear about:

• Two powerful psychological theories that explain why we resist change, especially after trauma

• How cancer diagnoses can trigger PTSD and what symptoms to watch for in yourself or loved ones

• A gentle, practical way to begin accepting life's changes without fear or resistance

• The science and ancient wisdom that show why facing impermanence leads to emotional freedom and a more joyful life

This episode is for you if:

• You feel lost, stuck, or confused after finishing cancer treatment

• You've been grieving the life or body you had before diagnosis

• You're ready to find peace with change and live more fully in the present

• You want a blend of science, psychology, and soul to support your healing journey

Join us as we unravel the intricacies of change and the quest for contentment in the face of life's unpredictability.

You can get a FREE download of meditation on impermanence that I recorded for this show by clicking the link below.

Send Me The Meditation on Impermanence

Resources: The Lesson on Impermanence

Books:

That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour

The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life

Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds

Advice on Dying: And Living a Better Life

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Sexuality and intimacy are often the unspoken parts of breast cancer recovery—but they're just as important as physical healing. In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm joined by Dr. Angela Cooke-Jackson, a globally recognized expert in health communication, health behaviors, and human sexuality.

Dr. Cooke-Jackson, an Associate Professor at California State University Los Angeles, has traveled the world studying sexual health literacy, cultural norms, and health disparities. Her insights, warmth, and no-nonsense approach provide a safe, affirming space to talk about the emotional and physical complexities of post-cancer intimacy.

We dive into topics many survivors silently struggle with—body image, desire, confidence, and how to have those conversations with your partner. If you've felt alone in this part of your recovery, this episode will remind you that you're not—and that support and solutions do exist.

This episode is for you if:

• You're navigating changes in your sexual self after breast cancer

• You've struggled to talk with your partner about intimacy, desire, or physical discomfort

• You want practical tools for rebuilding confidence in your body and relationships

• You're ready to normalize conversations around sexual health and recovery

Resources:

Angela's Twitter account: @DrCookeJackson

www.omgyes.com Book:

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

What Almost Dying Taught me About Living

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Do you reach for coffee or an energy drink when fatigue hits? You might be overlooking your body's most powerful (and free!) tool for restoring energy and supporting recovery: water.

In this episode of The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, we dive into the essential and often underappreciated role of hydration in your health—especially after breast cancer treatment. You'll learn how chemotherapy, radiation, and aging affect your hydration levels, why your sense of thirst becomes less reliable, and how even mild dehydration can contribute to fatigue, cravings, and slower healing.

If you're working on weight loss, regaining energy, or just feeling more like yourself, this episode will show you how a simple glass of water might be your best-kept secret to success. You'll walk away with a renewed understanding of why water matters and how to use it strategically to support your goals.

This episode is for you if:

• You're constantly feeling tired, foggy, or sluggish

• You're on a weight loss or healing journey after breast cancer

• You want to understand how hydration impacts your energy, metabolism, and recovery

• You're ready to replace quick fixes with sustainable, body-honoring habits

Resources:

Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life: You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty!

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Self-image, self-care, and living a fulfilling life are all deeply connected—and for many women, especially breast cancer survivors, rebuilding that self-image can be one of the hardest and most important parts of healing.

In this empowering episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we dig into the real impact of self-image, the negative self-talk that can hold us back, and a simple daily practice you can use to shift those inner conversations from criticism to compassion—and from doubt to confidence. You'll also hear why it's time to reject unrealistic beauty standards and redefine your worth on your terms.

This episode is for you if:

• You've struggled with body image or self-worth after breast cancer treatment

• You're ready to replace self-criticism with language that builds strength and self-love

• You want to live more fully and freely, unburdened by outside expectations

• You're looking for a practical, repeatable way to boost confidence and reconnect with yourself

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This special Mother's Day episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer is filled with love, laughter, and honest conversations about how cancer impacts not just us—but our families, too. I'm joined by two incredibly special guests: my sister, a gynecologic cancer survivor, and my daughter, who shares what it was really like to watch her mom go through treatment and healing.

Together, we reflect on the fears we carry as mothers, the assumptions we make about how our illness affects our children, and the surprising truths we learn when we listen to each other's hearts. You'll hear different perspectives, some unexpected revelations, and plenty of raw, real moments from all sides of the journey.

This episode is for you if:

• You're a mother navigating cancer and wondering how to support your kids through it

• You want to hear from both survivors and loved ones about the emotional impact of cancer

• You're looking for comfort, laughter, and reassurance that you're not alone

• You want to celebrate motherhood with a dose of honesty, grace, and shared strength

Kristie's Romance Novel Recommendation:

Possession (Steel Brothers Saga Book 3, 3)

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Cancer survivors are often bombarded with ads and promises from supplement companies and superfood product manufacturers. Powders, bars, drinks, and capsules all claim to support healing, boost energy, and prolong life—but are they really worth the cost?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we break down what a superfood actually is, whether pricey packaged versions live up to the hype, and how you can get the same (or even better!) benefits right from your local grocery store. You'll learn 4 easy tips to work these nutrient-packed foods into your daily routine—without blowing your budget or relying on trendy marketing.

This episode is for you if:

• You're trying to eat healthy after breast cancer but feel overwhelmed by supplements and specialty products

• You want to nourish your body with real food, not just what's marketed as "super"

• You're ready to save money and make smarter, simpler nutrition choices

• You'd love a cheatsheet to help you remember which foods pack the biggest healing punch

Resources: Blogs: Eating Made Easy Blog

White Foods are Nutrition Superstars Blog Post

Books:

Ketotarian: The (Mostly) Plant-Based Plan to Burn Fat, Boost Your Energy, Crush Your Cravings, and Calm Inflammation:

Thug Kitchen: The Official Cookbook

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

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When life feels overwhelming—whether you're recovering from breast cancer, navigating personal stress, or simply trying to keep up with it all—the ability to bounce back with strength, peace, and purpose is essential. That ability is called resilience, and the best part? It's something you can learn, strengthen, and build at any stage of life.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll learn what resiliency really means, how it supports your emotional and physical healing, and seven simple practices you can start using today to become more resilient. These tools will help you stay grounded, clear-minded, and connected to joy—even when life gets tough.

This episode is for you if:

• You're feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained

• You're navigating life after cancer or another major life change

• You want practical tools to help you stay positive, calm, and focused

• You're ready to turn struggle into strength and learn how to bounce back with grace

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