Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

This week on  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm joined by a powerful guest—Tanya Saunders, a certified Pause Breathwork Facilitator I had the pleasure of meeting at a conference last September. And I have to say… what she shares in this episode might just change the way you think about healing. One of the biggest struggles I see in women after breast cancer is this quiet, painful disconnect f...

Since the 1960s, five-year survival rates after a cancer diagnosis have increased by nearly 40%. And while that's something to celebrate, it also means more of us are navigating the  after —the part no one really prepares us for. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we're talking about what life looks like after treatment ends. The physical side effects, the emotional struggles,...

In this heartfelt episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we're talking about caring for  all  of your lady parts—including your beautiful mind. In honor of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, I'm joined by my sister, Kristie Wood, a cervical cancer survivor, to share why staying on top of your well woman exams is more important than ever—especially if you've been through cancer treat...

As a healthy lifestyle coach and breast cancer survivor, if I could tell you to focus on just  one  thing that would lift your mood, strengthen your body, boost your confidence, reduce your risk of disease, support a healthy weight, help you sleep better, and lower your stress levels… this episode is all about  that  thing. Sound too good to be true? It's not. The best part? You already  know  wha...

We all love the energy of a fresh start in January. But let's be honest—most New Year's resolutions don't make it past Valentine's Day. It's not because your goals aren't good ones. It's because without a plan, a process, and the right mindset, goals quickly lose their momentum. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we're talking about why your goal isn't the problem—it's the  sys...

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm joined by Dr. Robert Nagourney — medical oncologist, researcher, and Founder of the Nagourney Cancer Institute. With over two decades of experience and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Nagourney is a pioneer in personalized cancer therapy and integrative oncology. We dive into what's missing in today's conventional cancer treatme...

How many times have you told yourself:  "I can't lose weight," "I don't have time," "I just can't stop" ? Whether it's avoiding a difficult decision or coping with emotions through food, alcohol, or other habits— you're not alone . But you  can  change these behaviors when you understand where they really begin. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm sharing personal stories ab...

Inflammation  is more than just a buzzword—it's widely recognized as a root cause of not only  cancer , but also  heart disease, diabetes , and many other chronic conditions. And as a breast cancer survivor, you've likely felt the toll that treatment-related inflammation can take—whether it's joint pain, digestive issues, or lingering fatigue. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer ,...

Clichés are everywhere—but some of them carry powerful truths that can change the way we live, heal, and grow. In this special  birthday episode  of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm sharing three simple but profound truths that have stood out to me through my own life experience and in the lives of the incredible women I've coached. These aren't just feel-good sayings—they're  perspectives...

It's one of the most common—and often unspoken—struggles breast cancer survivors face: the  fear of recurrence . Whether it's a strange pain, ongoing fatigue, or just catching too many colds, it can be all too easy to assume  the worst . In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we talk about the  emotional toll  this fear can take, and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion....

Living an intentional life isn't just about setting goals or keeping a perfectly organized schedule. In fact,  intentional living goes deeper —it's about aligning your life with authenticity, purpose, and gratitude, especially after a life-altering experience like breast cancer. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , you'll hear the difference between  goals and intentions , and ho...

In  Part 1 , I shared my personal journey with  intermittent fasting —including how it helped me lose weight, stabilize blood sugar, and improve digestion. In  Part 2  of this special series on  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we take a deeper dive into the  science  behind intermittent fasting and explore  why  this dietary strategy is producing such powerful results. You'll learn how intermit...

Intermittent fasting is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about strategies in nutrition—and for good reason. It's simple, flexible, and when done correctly, can lead to  remarkable health improvements , especially for breast cancer survivors working to manage weight, blood sugar, and long-term wellness. In  Part 1  of this two-part series on  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm sharing my...

When you listen closely to the voices of other breast cancer survivors, there's a shared theme that resonates deeply— the need to be heard , understood, and validated. Whether it's justifying your lifestyle choices, explaining side effects that others dismiss, or trying to articulate the long-term emotional and physical toll of treatment, the desire for others to  get it  runs deep. In this episod...

When it comes to breast cancer, few words strike fear more deeply than  metastatic disease . But what if the story doesn't end there? What if it becomes the beginning of something powerful? In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , you'll meet  Lesley Glenn , a metastatic breast cancer survivor who has not only defied the odds but is living her dream life  seven years  after her diagn...

In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we're joined by  Mary Ann Eller , breast cancer survivor and  Clinical Services Coordinator for Speech-Language Pathology  at Duke Regional Hospital. Mary Ann shares her personal journey through chemo brain, including how it affected her professionally and emotionally—and what she's doing to adapt, manage, and even thrive despite its ongoing c...

The  mind-body connection  is incredibly powerful—but it's easy to underestimate, especially after a breast cancer diagnosis. The emotional toll of treatment, recovery, and the search for a "new normal" can be just as challenging as the physical journey. And if your mind is working against you, healing can feel even more overwhelming. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , you'll l...

Sometimes you need science. Sometimes you need strategy. And sometimes… you just need to feel good. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we take a break from the research and recommendations to bring you something different— a little joy, a little peace, and a lot of inspiration . This episode is here to help you pause, breathe, and reconnect with the beauty and possibility alrea...

Relationships can be a source of deep joy—and deep pain. And when life throws something as life-altering as a  cancer diagnosis  your way, the people around you don't always respond how you expect. Some relationships grow stronger. Others fade, fracture, or fall away entirely. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I share one of my favorite perspectives on relationships, inspired...

When it comes to  healing after breast cancer treatment , gut health is often overlooked—but it shouldn't be. Research shows that chemotherapy, radiation, and medications can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to long-lasting side effects like inflammation, fatigue, and digestive issues. In this week's episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , I'm joined by  Lee Holmes , holistic nutritionis...

In honor of  National Happiness Happens Month , this feel-good episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer  invites you to explore how joy—and healing—can come from the most unexpected places… even your kitchen spice rack! We'll start with a quick mindset shift to help you  choose happiness , no matter what's happening around you. Then we'll explore the  medicinal power of two everyday spices  th...

How you present yourself in life greatly impacts your emotions, progress, and daily experiences. It's all too easy to get ensnared in negative self-talk and thinking patterns that deter you from the life you aspire to lead. The potency of your words and thoughts might inadvertently be amplifying your challenges, cementing feelings of stagnation and struggle. In this episode: Explore instances wher...

Social support is a lifeline during breast cancer treatment—but what happens when treatment ends, and the support you once leaned on begins to fade? In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we dive into the emotional and relational challenges that  many survivors face after treatment ends —including feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and the unexpected emotional shifts that come wi...

Metabolic syndrome signals an alarm: your body's blood sugar management and insulin resistance are off-kilter. This syndrome not only heightens the risk of developing breast cancer but, inversely, breast cancer treatments increase the likelihood of encountering metabolic syndrome. Recent research even suggests that chemotherapy can directly induce metabolic syndrome in women undergoing breast canc...

Setbacks are a part of life—but during and after breast cancer treatment, they can feel especially discouraging. Whether it's a physical flare-up, emotional overwhelm, or an unexpected roadblock, these moments can leave you feeling helpless, frustrated, or like healing is slipping out of reach. In this episode of  Better Than Before Breast Cancer , we talk about  five powerful steps  you can take...