Confidence After Cancer

This week, I’m tackling a serious issue that’s close to my heart: the support available for employees dealing with cancer treatment and recovery.

I share my own experiences, highlighting both the positive and negative ways companies handle this issue. It's clear that with one in two people likely to face a cancer diagnosis, organisations need to do better.

Many companies don’t have tailored policies or proper training for managers, which leads to inconsistent support for employees.

We need to advocate for better adjustments and understanding in the workplace so that cancer survivors can successfully reintegrate without feeling like they’re struggling alone.

Here are the highlights:

(1:17) My personal cancer journey and company support.

(3:33) Client experience with company cancer support.

(9:15) Challenges in managerial support.

(14:17) How companies can improve their support during staff illness.

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

In this week’s episode, I'm chatting about something really close to my heart—finding your tribe after a cancer diagnosis. Whether it’s people who understand your journey or those you can support, finding a community is so important, especially when the treatment ends, and the support seems to drift away.

I share my recent inspiring lunch with Lisa, a 19-year cancer survivor, and how she reminded me of the power of connection. We also talk about joining support groups—online or local—and how these communities can lift you up, provide comfort, and help you feel less alone. But it’s not just about finding people to help you—sometimes, you’ll be the one providing support.

This episode explores how offering your own experience and advice can give you a sense of purpose and how you can protect your energy while doing it. We touch on the importance of choosing a positive circle of people, because let’s be honest, none of us need more negativity!

So, let’s dive into how building your tribe can help you stay strong, hopeful, and ready to embrace your future.

Here are the highlights:

(1:59) The Role of Support Groups Post-Treatment

(4:54) Pros and Cons of Joining Support Groups

(7:10) Maintaining Positive Energy and Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People

(7:26) Balancing Self-Care and Helping Others

(10:13) The Importance of Community and Connection

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

Coming back from a sunny holiday in Cyprus to chilly, wet Manchester has reminded me just how much the change in seasons can affect us.

This week, I’m talking all about soothing yourself—how we can nurture and take care of ourselves as we head into autumn.

I used to struggle with the darker, colder days, but now I’m embracing them as a time for self-care. From comforting soups and turmeric lattes to a simple walk in nature, there are so many small ways to soothe and uplift ourselves.

Plus, I’ve got a few gems from Venus Williams’ new book Strive, where she talks about the art of soothing, which really resonated with me. So, if you’re feeling a bit out of sorts or need some inspiration for how to nurture yourself during this time of year, this episode is for you!

Here are the highlights:

(3:11) Seasonal Eating and Self-Care Practices

(6:02) The Power of Massage and the 54321 Technique

(8:22) Letting Go and Decluttering

(10:39) Connecting with Nature and Self-Care

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

That quiet fear in the back of your mind — the one that whispers, “What if it comes back?” — it’s something almost every cancer survivor knows too well. You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human.

In this honest and empowering episode of Confidence After Cancer, host Gabrielle Mottershead — 17-year breast cancer survivor and confidence coach — opens up about the fear of recurrence and how to move from anxiety to peace.

You’ll discover:

💭 Why fear of recurrence is so common after treatment — and what’s really happening in your brain

🧘‍♀️ How to calm racing thoughts before they spiral

💖 Gentle mindset shifts to help you feel safe and in control again

🌈 Practical tools to focus on living fully, not constantly scanning for danger

If you’ve ever found yourself holding your breath before every check-up or replaying “what if” scenarios in your head, this episode will bring comfort, clarity, and hope.

✨ You can’t control everything — but you can learn to feel safe in your body and trust life again.

For more guidance and free resources, visit 👉 www.confidenceaftercancer.co.uk

This week, I’m excited to share some fresh inspiration from a "Queen for a Day" retreat I attended, it got me thinking about Queen energy—how we, especially women, can tap into that inner strength, confidence, and leadership to live more empowered lives.

In this episode, I’ll break down what Queen energy is, how I use it with my coaching clients, and how you can embrace it to boost your confidence and make meaningful changes in your life. It’s all about reclaiming your power, and I’m here to help you start today!

Here are the highlights:

(0:51) Understanding Queen Energy

(3:06) Historical and Modern Queen Archetypes

(5:27) Balancing Queen Energy

(12:05) Practical Tips for Activating Queen Energy

(14:32) The Role of Support Networks

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the concept of dopamine and how it affects our daily lives in surprising ways.

We’ll discuss how dopamine influences your motivation, pleasure, and focus, and why the constant buzz of notifications, social media, and instant gratification could be taking a toll on your mental clarity and happiness.

I also walk you through the idea of a dopamine detox. No, it’s not about quitting everything fun, but more about creating space for better focus and long-term satisfaction.

If you’re feeling scattered or stressed, this could be exactly what you need.

Here are the highlights:

(2:52) Impact of Social Media and Technology on Dopamine Levels

(4:38) Introduction to Dopamine Detox

(7:52) Benefits of a Dopamine Detox

(9:56) Steps to Implement a Dopamine Detox

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

After years of chasing the corporate ladder and constantly feeling like I wasn’t good enough, my cancer diagnosis changed everything. It forced me to stop and really think about what success means—and it wasn’t the titles or pay checks I thought I needed.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal story of redefining success to prioritise what truly matters: my health, joy, and being present in the moment.

I’ll also walk you through seven tips that helped me break free from the pressures of what society says success should look like, and create my own version instead.

Whether you’re just out of treatment or simply rethinking your life’s direction, I hope this conversation helps you find your own sense of fulfilment, on your own terms.

Here are the highlights:

(1:21) My Journey to Redefining Success

(4:58) Setting Personal Goals and Reclaiming Power

(6:31) Staying Focused on Progress, Not Perfection

(7:42) Letting Go of Perfectionism and Comparison

(9:57) Balancing Ambition with Self-Care

(12:47) Creating a Vision for the Future

(14:17) Changing Boundaries and Feeling Good Enough

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

This week, I'm talking about the real power of setting boundaries as self-care. It’s something I’ve personally struggled with in the past, and I know so many others do too.

Whether it’s saying no without feeling guilty or making time for yourself, I’ll share how boundaries have played a huge role in my journey to a healthier, happier life—especially after my cancer recovery.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, I’ll show you some practical ways to protect your energy and well-being starting today. I also get into the tough stuff—how hard it can be to set boundaries when you’re used to saying yes to everything.

If you've ever felt like people-pleasing is running your life, this episode is for you.

Here are the highlights:

(2:35) Understanding Different Types of Boundaries

(6:26) The Role of Boundaries in Protecting Well-Being

(8:28) Strategies for Setting Clear Boundaries

(8:47) The Benefits of Prioritising Self-Care

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

Welcome to this week’s episode where we’re diving into the heart of self-care! Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore why self-care is essential—not just for healing, but for everyday happiness.

Today, I’m sharing my top rituals to help you start and end your day with intention. From morning habits that set a positive tone to evening routines that ensure a restful night, these are simple, practical steps to build resilience and inner peace.

Whether it’s a mindful moment in the garden or a soothing stretch before bed, you’ll find ideas to nurture yourself without guilt or pressure.

Let's put self-care at the top of your list and create a foundation for better health and happiness. Try them out, mix and match, and let me know how they work for you!

Here are the highlights:

(2:55) Positive Thinking and Affirmations

(5:27) Movement and Healing

(7:18) Evening Rituals for Relaxation

(9:29) Relaxation Techniques and Self-Care

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.

In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: how to stop being so hard on yourself. Whether it’s that relentless inner critic or the pressure to be perfect, we all face moments where we’re our own worst enemy.

I’ll be sharing four practical tips that have worked wonders for me and my coaching clients - simple ways to shift your mindset, embrace self-compassion, and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

We’ll explore the power of self-acceptance, the importance of silencing that nagging voice of judgment, and the joy of celebrating those little wins along the way. Plus, we’ll talk about why having fun and finding lightness in life, even amidst challenges, is essential.

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by self-criticism, this episode is for you. Let’s work on building a future full of positivity and self-love, one thought at a time.

Here are the highlights:

(2:03) The Power of "Should" and Self-Acceptance

(4:05) Learning to Love Yourself

(4:55) Taking Small Steps and Celebrating Progress

(5:39) The Importance of Fun and Enjoyment

(7:21) Final Thoughts and Encouragement

If you like Confidence After Cancer, please continue to listen and give it a follow wherever you get your podcasts. Remember also to share with your friends and family, as it will really help this show help as many people as possible.