Rest isn’t just about sleep or collapsing on the sofa. After cancer — and in everyday life — tiredness can be physical, mental, emotional, or even sensory. In this episode of Thrive with Fran, I explore the different types of rest we all need, why it matters for recovery and resilience, and how to choose the right kind of rest for the kind of tired you’re feeling.

At the end, I’ll guide you through a short reflection practice to help you tune into what your body and mind are really asking for.

And speaking of rest… I’m heading to Morocco for my own little pause — so think of this episode as both an invitation and a farewell-for-now until November when I’ll be back with fresh energy!

✨ Takeaway: Rest isn’t indulgence — it’s medicine.

Depression after cancer is something many survivors face, yet it’s rarely spoken about. In this deeply personal episode, I share my own experience with depression, why it’s so common, the guilt that often comes with it, and gentle ways to navigate the heaviness when it shows up. This isn’t about seeking sympathy—it’s about breaking the silence around a topic that takes real bravery to talk about. If you’ve ever felt low after cancer, this episode is for you.

Disclaimer: This podcast is here to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration for life after cancer. I’m not a therapist, psychologist, or medical professional, and nothing here is meant to replace medical advice. If you’re finding things especially tough, please reach out to a trusted healthcare professional—you don’t have to go through it alone.

Why did I get cancer?

t’s a question many if not all of us ask ourselves, and as we know Western medicine often only focuses on treating the symptoms — the tumour, the surgery, the chemo.
In this episode, I explore what’s going on behind the scenes — the “soil” our health grows in. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to look deeper, but by approaching it with curiosity and compassion, we can uncover insights that lead to powerful personal growth and lasting change.

Why do some people overhaul their whole lives after cancer… while others stay exactly the same? In this episode, I explore the many different responses to life after a cancer diagnosis — from radical lifestyle shifts to quiet inner changes. Whether you’ve changed everything or barely anything, this episode is about making peace with your path and honouring your unique healing journey.

In this episode of Thrive with Fran, we dive into one of the most powerful — and often overlooked keys to healing after cancer: your nervous system.

I share why I'm becoming a trauma-informed somatic coach, and how understanding your body’s internal safety system can help you move from fear, fatigue, and freeze into calm, confidence, and clarity.

We explore:

• What the nervous system actually is

• How it gets stuck in survival mode after cancer

• A simple overview of Polyvagal Theory

• The science of psychoneuroimmunology (how emotions impact immunity)

• Why you don’t need to be “fixed” — just gently rewired

• How I help clients become their own best coach with tools they can use anytime, anywhere for life.

And of course, we finish with a short, grounding practice you can do right now to start shifting your state.

This is for you if you’ve ever felt anxious for “no reason,” hyperaware, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode long after treatment ends. You’re not broken — you’re beautifully wired for protection. Let’s help your body feel safe again.

Hot flushes — sudden waves of heat, sweating, and discomfort — can feel overwhelming & exhausting - even more so in the summer heat. In this episode, I break down why they happen, shares practical tools to cool your body and calm your nervous system, plus a lovely simple cooling breathing practice to help you manage hot flushes with confidence. You’re not broken — your body’s adapting, and you can find ways to thrive again.

Feeling like an outsider during and after cancer is more common than we admit. In this raw, honest episode, I share my own struggles with isolation — that sense of being watched but not truly seen — and explore how we can slowly rebuild connection, belonging, and self-acceptance after illness.

Exercise isn’t just a “nice to have” after cancer — it’s a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and long-term health. In this episode, I unpack new research, explore why so few survivors are meeting movement guidelines, and share how to make exercise feel doable, personal, and even joyful. Science, stories, and soul — all in one place.

With love, Fran

Here are my sources & some further reading for you:

• National Cancer Institute – Cancer Trends Progress Report (Physical Activity After Cancer):
  👉 https://progressreport.cancer.gov/after/physical_activity

• The Guardian – Exercise Better Than Drugs After Cancer Treatment (June 2025):
  👉 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/01/exercise-better-than-drugs-after-cancer-treatment-international-trial-finds

• American College of Sports Medicine – Moving Through Cancer:
  👉 https://www.acsm.org/read-research/resource-library/resource_detail?id=42a63ae3-1a61-4c8b-bbfc-d13f52c2109e

• Macmillan Cancer Support – Benefits of Physical Activity:
  👉 https://www.macmillan.org.uk

• World Health Organization – Physical Activity Guidelines:
  👉 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity

Welcome to the first ever episode of Thrive with Fran - I'm so happy you are here.

So...what happens when your world narrows in a heart beat —you hear the words "You have Cancer". Everything stops.

In this first episode we explore the emotional contraction that comes with crisis, the unexpected beauty of receiving help, and how to begin expanding again, gently and intentionally. Real talk, small mindset shifts, and a soul-deep reminder: you're not a burden—you're human.

With love, Fran