Facing Fear

Dani is one of my college BFF's and someone I spent so much time with my senior year at Ball State. She is my age, and at 30 years young, we both faced incredibly challenging and life-changing health diagnoses. Me with cancer, and her with a seizure disorder. Dani is a beautiful, unique and giving soul who teaches us on this episode about the art of Kintsugi, how she manages her PTSD, anxiety and depression and how to be proud of yourself, even if the only thing you accomplished that day was... living.

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• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

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• With the guest, @dani_haag92 and @weightsforwhiskey
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
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• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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I finally recap all 15 of my chemotherapy sessions including my mental health struggles and improvements, what it's like being on anti-anxiety and depression medication and my last infusion themed, "Peace Out Chemo."

On the other hand, radiation was extremely easy for me. Even though I had to go the cancer center Monday-Friday for 25 sessions in a row, each appointment only took 15 minutes, and lucky me, I never burned once!

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

• A Day in the Life of Radiation TikTok

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• With the guest, @chancecolleen
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
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• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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When I was waiting to find out if I had cancer, my life flashed before me and a specific memory stuck out. It was 20 years ago, when I was 10 years old. I watched in downtown Chicago as my mom finished walking 60 miles after three days of camping out and raising thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. As I watched that memory play out in my head, I thought, f*ck, I am going to have breast cancer. This was actually meant to be. Touché, God.

My mom is my number one fan, cheerleader, supporter and best friend. She's been there for me my entire 29 years, and in my 30th year of life, she showed up exactly when I needed her. Together, we've fought my breast cancer battle for one year. On this episode, we reflect on the past year, her connection to breast cancer and how in the world she trained for a 60-mile race while having four kids under 10 years old.

She's a superhero, who just happens to double as my mom.

AS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

• VIDEO: Look at the family photo album of my mom's 60-mile race to fundraise for breast cancer research. 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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Chance Osborne is one of my living, breathing, walking on Earth cancer angels. Although she's years younger than me, she's been someone I've looked up to, cried with and fallen apart in front of while sharing our favorite Panera booth.

Chance was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at age 24. As we both heal, we talk about life lessons, the best and worst things people have said to us and how we've managed to live with and beyond cancer.

AS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

• How to do a monthly breast exam (featuring Chance herself)!
• Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation
• Metavivor: Metastatic Breast Cancer Research  

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• With the guest, @chancecolleen
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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In honor of my first cancerversary coming up on Friday, I'm sharing a piece of my cancer journey I've never said aloud before. In this audio essay, I answer the prompt, "It all started when..." At this time last year, I was ruminating over and over wondering whether my life was about to change forever or not. And sure enough, on October 14, 2021, it did.

Read the transcript of this episode at facingfearwithsara.com/blog.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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Let's flip the script! This time, I'm the one being interviewed. I'm sharing this episode from the Transcend Podcast with Whitney Miller because she caught me at a very interesting time in my cancer journey. When we did this interview in early June, I was justttt beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We dive into the transcending moments I've experienced during my cancer journey. We talk about stories of triumph, guts, and strength paired with trauma and sadness. I share Taylor Swift lyrics that inspire my transcending journey and how I plan to keep moving forward.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• Connect with today's host, Whitney at @transcend.health.and.wellness and  transcendhealthandwellness.com
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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Cam Ayala was born with a disease called primary lymphedema which caused chronic pain, swelling and an above the knee amputation in June 2022. in my right leg. You may recognize him from The Bachelorette (Hannah Brown's season) or the Bachelor in Paradise, but this episode tells you SO MUCH MORE about Cam's story.

After 9 bouts of serious infections, 16 surgical interventions, Cam underwent an above knee amputation earlier this summer. Cam faced fear since his amputation was scheduled. He's conquered fear by strengthening his faith in God, doing research and interviewing other amputees his age (early 30's), and working his ass off with a personal trainer for 2 and a half months prior to surgery.

CATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

• Watch here because there were way too many facial expressions to just share the audio.

LYMPHEDEMA RESOURCES

• Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema PSA's
•  Breast-Cancer-Lymphedema
•  10 Things to know about your Lymphedema Diagnosis
• Lymphatic Education & Resource Network

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• With the guest, @camronayala
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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We take it all the way back to May, one of my most challenging months of this year. I talk about starting my new chemo plan after being kicked off my original due to an allergic reaction, escaping to California for a week, I recap a book I read in an week and share how the rollercoaster of grief really had me riding waves this past summer. I mention lots of goodies on this show today, so check out the links below.

Tune in for next week's episode where I'll have a contestant from Hannah Brown's Bachelorette Season to talk about ANYTHING but... reality TV. It's a damn good one. Subscribe and follow the show so you don't miss it.

MENTIONED ON TODAY'S EPISODE

• How I ended up in the ER after being allergic to chemo
• Interview with my all time favorite physical therapist, Dr. Prato
• Can't Stop Thinking book
• What it was like to elope during the pandemic
• Think Like a Monk book by Jay Shetty

CELEBRATE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

• Virtual Fireside Chat with Jay Shetty and Tamara Levitt presented by Calm on October 13 at 1 PM ET

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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"How much time and tequila do you have?" Another gem comes out from the vault this week, this one is with another podcast BFF of mine, Kristen Olson. She is truly unlike anyone else I've ever met. She has the swagger of Madonna, the fierce blonde hair of Dolly Parton, is always the life of the party AND she can back squat more than you!

Kristen has built her personal brand around the combination of fun and health, or better said her way, turmeric and tequila. 

MENTIONED ON TODAY'S EPISODE

• Turmeric & Tequila - Kristen's website, podcast and brand marketing company 
• Kristen's episode all about Botox

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• With the guest, @madonnashero, @turmerictequila, @koalliance
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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This episode was originally recorded one year ago with one of my dearest podcast BFF's, Viviana. I'm bringing it out of the vault because we talk about a topic I've thought about soooo much since my cancer diagnosis, aging. We get older whether we like it or not, so how can we live life to the fullest throughout the many decades we're (hopefully) given? Viviana shares what she learned after interviewing one individual from each decade, that's right, she hosted guests from 7-years-old to an individual in their 90's!

Listening back to this feel good episode made me realize how much I've changed in a year, and how special Viviana is to me as a friend and fellow podcast side hustler!

MENTIONED ON TODAY'S EPISODE

• A Journey Through the Decades - Life Whispers podcast season

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• PODCAST/CANCER MERCH: Visit facingfearwithsara.com/merch
• CATCH UP ON MY CANCER JOURNEY: facingfearwithsara.com/episodes

CONNECT 

• With the guest, @vivianapsc28, @lifewhispers, lifewhispers.com
• Subscribe to the monthly newsletter at facingfearwithsara.com
• Instagram - @facingfearwithsara, @saramcinerneyhauck
• TikTok - @facingfearwithsara
• Facebook - @facingfearwithsara
• Website - facingfearwithsara.com
• YouTube - Sara McInerney Hauck
• Email - [email protected]

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