Life After Cancer? WTF Now?

You survive cancer… and everyone expects you to go back to normal.

But what happens when your old life doesn’t fit anymore?

In this raw solo episode, Naomi talks honestly about returning to work after cancer, feeling burnt out, questioning everything, juggling teaching, a podcast, property business, parenting, hormones, overwhelm and wondering whether she’s clinging onto a life she doesn’t even want anymore.

This is a conversation about identity shifts after cancer, stress, fear, purpose, security and the uncomfortable reality that survival can completely change what you’re willing to tolerate.

If you’ve ever looked at your life and thought:
“Surely there has to be more than this…”

This episode is for you.

This week’s episode wasn’t planned… but it’s probably one of the most honest ones I’ve recorded.

I’m talking about a decision that’s been quietly sitting in the background for a while, whether to have my fallopian tubes removed.

After cancer, I thought the hard part was over. But what no one really prepares you for is the constant stream of decisions that come after, especially when they involve risk, fertility, hormones, and your future.

In this episode, I share:

• What it’s actually like living with a BRCA gene mutation
• Why ovarian cancer risk has suddenly started playing on my mind
• How unpredictable hormones and periods can mess with your head post-treatment
• The option of removing fallopian tubes (and why it’s not as simple as it sounds)
• Fertility after cancer, IVF, and the emotional weight of “what if”
• And the reality of making decisions when there’s no clear right answer

This isn’t a medical episode. It’s a real one. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the decisions that come after cancer or struggled with fertility, uncertainty, or trusting your body again, this one’s for you.

Follow me at @lifeaftercancer_wtf

Carly Moosah shares her powerful and deeply personal journey through breast cancer and discovering her BRCA mutation a diagnosis that came in the most unexpected way.

We talk about the realities of genetic testing, the weight of big medical decisions, and what life actually looks like after the initial treatment ends. This isn’t about bouncing back it’s about rebuilding, mentally and physically, and finding your own way forward.

An honest conversation about fear, resilience, and learning to live again after cancer on your terms.

@carlymoosah

@_bloom43

resources

Jewishbracca.org - https://jewishbracca.org

Bloom43 App - https://www.bloom43.com

Protector Trial - Professor Manchanda - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04571194

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Carly's Journey

00:56 The Discovery of Cancer

03:58 Navigating the Diagnosis

06:56 The Impact of Family History

09:54 Understanding BRCA and Its Implications

13:02 Awareness and Testing in the Jewish Community

15:48 The Emotional Toll of BRCA Diagnosis

18:49 Lifestyle Changes and Their Impact

21:37 The Role of Diet and Nutrition

24:50 Finding Balance in Health Choices

27:59 The Importance of Mental Health and Connection

30:45 Self-Care and Prioritizing Well-Being

35:41 The Caregiver Instinct and Self-Neglect

37:48 Awakening Through Cancer: A New Perspective

40:16 The Role of Compassion in Healing

43:31 Body Changes and Self-Compassion

45:00 Surgical Experiences and Recovery

49:31 Preparing for Surgery: Nutrition and Mindfulness

51:56 Fertility Decisions and Emotional Challenges

01:00:41 Navigating Menopause and Hormonal Health

01:07:08 Life After Cancer: Gratitude and Complexity

Today’s episode is with Jo Knight, and her story might not be what you expect.

Because yes, cancer took her hair. And yes, she chose to lose her breasts and stay flat. But what came out of that was a new purpose and a whole new sense of identity.

But what came next is the part no one really talks about.

From staying bald, to choosing to stay flat, to now supporting other women through her charity Preloved Reloved, this is a conversation about identity, choice, and finding something unexpected on the other side of cancer.

Jo talks about how expensive cancer can be, and how her charity helps ease that burden by providing headwear, wigs, turbans, bras, PICC line covers and so much more, all completely free for women going through it.

If you want to connect with Jo or learn more about her work, you can find her at www.prelovedreloved.org.uk and on Instagram at @prelovedrel0ved and @tit_less_wonder.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Menopause After Cancer

02:58 The Impact of Hair Loss on Identity

05:53 Understanding Cold Caps and Hair Preservation

08:58 The Importance of Accurate Information in Cancer Care

12:00 Mindset and Identity Post-Cancer

14:50 Creating a Supportive Community Through Pre-Loved, Re-Loved

21:10 The Journey of Building a Charity

25:09 Essential Items for Cancer Patients

28:46 Community Support and Resources

32:47 Life After Cancer: New Perspectives

39:00 Finding Joy in Simple Moments

Naomi Jolly shares her personal journey through cancer, chronic stress, and burnout, and how it forced her to completely rethink the way she lives.

In this episode, she breaks down the simple daily habits that helped her move out of constant fight-or-flight and into a calmer, more intentional way of living. From choosing connection over perfection to setting boundaries and letting go of pressure, this is an honest look at what life after cancer really looks like and why doing less might actually be the answer.

Christen didn’t have cancer… but she was told it was likely coming.

After discovering she carries the BRCA mutation, she was faced with a decision most of us can’t even imagine, wait and see… or have surgery to remove your breasts when you don't even have cancer.

In this episode, Kristen shares her journey from losing her mum to ovarian cancer and genetic testing… to choosing a preventative double mastectomy, navigating body image, sex, dating, and identity on the other side.

We talk honestly about the emotional weight of living in the “what if”, the pressure of making life-altering decisions, and how she turned it all into purpose by creating a space for other women going through the same thing.

This is about more than risk.

It’s about control, confidence, and learning how to live fully... even when the future feels uncertain.

Find the charity: @brca_chat

More from me: @lifeaftercancer_wtf

Chapters

00:00 Navigating BRCA Mutations and Family History

02:58 Emotional Journey of Genetic Testing

06:05 Body Image and Identity Post-Surgery

09:01 The Impact of Mastectomy on Relationships

12:00 Finding Empowerment Through Surgery

14:49 Dating and Self-Love After Mastectomy

17:56 Life Lessons and New Perspectives Post-Surgery

25:51 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Cancer Treatment

28:38 The Birth of a Charity: From Personal Journey to Community Support

31:40 Building Connections: The Importance of Community in Cancer Journeys

35:51 Understanding BRCA: Knowledge is Power

43:51 The Complexity of Choices: Navigating Decisions in Cancer Care

48:45 Life After BRCA: Embracing Purpose and Community

Army veteran Sally Orange shares her journey through mental health struggles, 89 marathons, the 7-7-7 challenge, and running through cancer treatment.

Sally Orange’s story will stop you in your tracks.

A former army physiotherapist, Sally was medically discharged after struggling with her mental health, a moment that could have defined her life. Instead, it became the beginning of something extraordinary.

Since then, she’s gone on to complete nearly 90 marathons, including the incredible 7-7-7 challenge, seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days, often dressed as pieces of fruit to spark conversations around mental health and break down stigma in the most human, relatable way.

But life threw another curveball.

Following her own cancer diagnosis, Sally continued to show up in the most remarkable way… running to chemotherapy, turning up to radiotherapy in costume, and facing it all with quiet strength, humour, and honesty.

She doesn’t call herself an athlete. She doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. And that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful.

This episode is about resilience, identity, mental health, and what it really means to keep going even when things feel impossibly hard.

It will leave you feeling humbled, inspired, and with a deep sense that maybe… you can too.

Summary

After cancer, the wellness industry suddenly has a lot to say.

“Have you tried turmeric?”
“My cousin cured hers with green juice.”
“You need to wake up at 5am and do the Miracle Morning.”

Before you know it, you’re supposed to be meditating, grounding, red-lighting, journaling, ice bathing, and drinking something that looks suspiciously like pond water.

Oh, and don’t forget to be positive.

But when does “being healthy” become completely overwhelming?

In this episode of Life After Cancer? WTF Now?, Naomi dives into the wellness trap , the pressure to follow the perfect protocol after a diagnosis. She explores why the endless rules can leave survivors anxious, exhausted, and feeling like they’re never doing enough.

Because healing isn’t found in a 5am routine or a donkey testicle smoothie. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down, calm your nervous system, and stop trying to be perfect.

@lifeaftercancer_wtf

In this episode of Life After Cancer Naomi speaks with the extraordinary Felicity Ashley a woman who rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, only to return home and face an unexpected bowel cancer diagnosis.

Rather than letting adversity define her, Felicity leaned into the mindset she’d built at sea: resilience, grit, and the willingness to do hard things even when they feel impossible. She shares what rowing an ocean taught her about fear, discomfort, and mental strength lessons that became even more powerful when she faced cancer.

Now a motivational speaker preparing to row the Pacific Ocean, Felicity reflects on how life’s biggest challenges can become catalysts for growth, purpose, and perspective.

This conversation explores courage, community, and the power of the human mind reminding us that sometimes the hardest waves we face are the ones that ultimately shape who we become.

@felicityashleyspeaker

Chapters

00:00 Embracing the Journey: From Darkness to Light

01:13 Felicity's Background: A Journey of Resilience

03:36 Rowing the Atlantic: A Challenge of a Lifetime

11:26 The Emotional Return: Celebrating Achievement

18:22 Facing the Unexpected: The Cancer Diagnosis

26:45 Applying Resilience: Navigating the Cancer Journey

29:04 Mindset and Motivation in Adversity

35:05 Cancer as a Catalyst for Positive Change

39:00 Navigating Dark Days and Finding Hope

42:18 Taking One Step at a Time

49:37 Embracing Challenges and New Adventures

53:58 Finding Your Superpower and Belief

In this episode of Life After Cancer? WTF Now? Naomi sits down with Veronica Foote, Head of Policy and Consulting at Working with Cancer, to unpack one of the least talked about parts of survivorship...going back to work.

Drawing from both her professional expertise and her own cancer diagnosis, Veronica shares what really happens when treatment ends but “normal life” doesn’t simply resume. Together, they explore employment rights, reasonable adjustments, phased returns, and why so many survivors feel unsupported or misunderstood in the workplace.

This conversation goes beyond policies and paperwork. It highlights the emotional complexity of returning to work, the fear of being seen as “less capable,” and the importance of honest communication between employees and employers. Veronica explains how Working with Cancer supports both individuals and organisations, helping people understand their legal rights while also educating employers on how to create compassionate, informed workplaces.

If you’ve ever wondered:
• What am I entitled to?
• How do I ask for adjustments?
• Should I go back full time?
• Why does this feel harder than treatment?

This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical next steps alongside a powerful reminder that resilience takes time, and advocacy matters.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Working with Cancer

05:58 Practical Steps for Newly Diagnosed Individuals

11:59 The Challenges of Returning to Work

18:03 Addressing Discrimination in the Workplace

23:45 Policy Changes and Future Directions

30:32 Understanding Employment Rights and Legislation

35:47 Identifying Suitable Roles Post-Treatment

42:28 Managing Absences and Appointments

49:29 Documenting Return to Work Plans