The Positive Gene Podcast

Graceful Grit: Mindfulness Tools for Scanxiety, Uncertainty, and Everyday Courage with Lisa Jacobs, Founder of Practice to the Point

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Episode Overview

Season changes can stir up a lot - especially if you’re living with hereditary cancer risk. In this conversation, Lisa Jacobs shares her framework of “graceful grit” - meeting hard moments with both courage and softness. We talk scanxiety, decision fatigue, and how simple, repeatable practices (breath, micro-goals, ritual, curiosity) help you feel present and grounded before screenings and big health decisions.

What You’ll Learn

  • Graceful Grit, Defined: Why pairing compassion with action reduces brittleness and burnout.
  • Scanxiety Tools: Breath patterns, grounding cues, and mantras you can use in waiting rooms and before results.
  • Rituals That Help: Music/playlists, “bring-a-friend” (choosing the right companion), and bite-size scheduling.
  • From Awareness to Alignment: Using body cues (jaw/shoulders/breath) to notice judgment and shift into curiosity.
  • Seasonal Reframes: Using fall as a prompt for letting go, intention setting, and creating space for what’s next.

    • Sticky Takeaways (save these)

    • “Presence isn’t passive — it’s powerful.”
    • “Name it to tame it: This is scanxiety. It’s a real, natural response.”
    • “Reduce the size of the moment: this is one wave, not the whole ocean.”
    • “Ask: What am I in control of right now? Breath, posture, environment, support.”
    • “If you don’t feel the feelings, they’ll find you — balance grace with grit.”

      • Try-It-Now Practices

      • 5 breaths: Slow inhales/exhales; by breath #5 your nervous system starts to follow.
      • 4-4-6 breath: Inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6 (let out more than you take in).
      • Grounding: Feet on the floor, soften jaw/shoulders, notice 3 things you can see/hear/feel.
      • Micro-goal: One tiny completion (send the message, pack your bag, make the playlist).
      • Curiosity over judgment: Replace “What if…?” spirals with “I wonder…?”
      • Ritual: A consistent playlist for imaging appointments; a small kindness before/after.

        • Resources Mentioned

          • Practice to the Point: www.practicetothepoint.com
          • Connect with Lisa:
            • LinkedIn (Lisa Jacobs)
            • IG: @practicetothepoint
            • Follow the podcast on IG: @positivegenepodcast
            • Full transcript & extras: www.positivegenepodcast.com
            • Sara’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarakavanaughspeaks/

              • Review/Share: If this helped you breathe a little easier, share it with a friend who’s facing scans soon.

              Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your health.

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              The Positive Gene PodcastBy Sara Kavanaugh
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