Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Hyper‐Palatable Foods: Development of a Quantitative Definition and Application to the US Food System Database

#93 Why Can't I Stop Eating That...The Struggle With Hyper palatable Foods Jun 27, 2020

Show notes

🍟 Ever felt like you just can't stop eating certain foods—even when you're full or trying to eat healthy?

It might not be your willpower. It might be the food itself.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're digging into hyper-palatable foods—those ultra-tasty combos of fat, sugar, salt, and carbs that keep you reaching for more. You'll learn:

• What hyper-palatable foods are (and why they're everywhere) • How they hijack your brain and eating patterns • Why this isn't about addiction or failure—and how to take back control • Simple steps to help you reconnect with your body and feel good about food again

🎧 Listen now and get the full transcript at: www.thebreastcancerrecoverycoach.com/93

Resources:

Supra-Additive Effects of Combining Fat and Carbohydrate on Food Reward

What we eat in America

Which Foods May Be Addictive? The Roles of Processing, Fat Content, and Glycemic Load

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#92 Taking the Steps to Create and Accept Change in Your Life Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

💭 Ever feel like you want to change, but just can't get yourself to follow through? Or maybe life forced a change you didn't ask for—and your brain is putting up a fight?

You're not broken. You're human. And your brain? It just really loves what's familiar.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I talk about:

Why change feels so hard—even when you want it
How your brain resists disruption (and what to do about it)
Two simple steps to help you create or accept change, so you can move forward with more peace and less struggle

✨ Whether you're stuck in old patterns or grieving the life you didn't expect, this episode will help you take your next step with more clarity and self-compassion.

🎧 Listen now and register for the Sugar Challenge here:

For Full Transcript: http://thebreastcancerrecoverycoach.com/92

Resources:

Reinventing Yourself, 20th Anniversary Edition:

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies in Iran

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#91 Making Tough Decisions Jun 13, 2020

Show notes

Feeling stuck in "analysis paralysis"? 🤔 You're not alone—decisions can feel scary when you don't know where they'll lead. But what if you could turn that fear into empowerment and steer your life with confidence?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we dive into:

Why tough choices unlock your power, not hold you back

The hidden blocks that keep decisions hanging over your head

A simple 3-step process to finally break through and take action

Ready to stop second-guessing and start living on your own terms? Plus, don't miss your chance to transform your sweet tooth—register for the Sugar Challenge now at:

Resources: Kimberly Key

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Management of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal breast cancer patients taking adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy

#90 Low Libido After Breast Cancer Why it Happens and What You Can do About it Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

We live in a world flooded with sexual imagery—and alongside that, a constant stream of unspoken rules about what sex should look like, feel like, and mean. But after something as life-changing as breast cancer, those expectations can feel completely out of reach—and incredibly painful.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're having an honest conversation about low or nonexistent libido after cancer treatment, especially when forced menopause, hormone shifts, and body changes leave you feeling disconnected from your sexual self.

You'll learn:

The key hormones that influence libido and how breast cancer treatment impacts them
Options for addressing low desire, pain during intimacy, and vaginal dryness
The emotional toll of libido loss—and why it's not "just in your head"
How to unpack sexual expectations vs. conditioned beliefs about what you "should" feel
What it looks like to reclaim your sexual identity on your own terms

If you've been struggling in silence, feeling ashamed, confused, or frustrated about your changing body and sex life—this episode is here to tell you: you are not broken, and you're not alone.

Resources:

Breast cancer facts and figures Preserve Your Muscle Mass Interventions to Address Sexual Problems in People With Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Adaptation of Cancer Care Ontario Guideline Why Women Should Care About Testosterone

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Baader-Meinhof phenomenon

#89 How to change the limiting beliefs that stunt your life and your healing May 29, 2020

Show notes

Isn't it amazing how much your perspective shifts as life unfolds? Looking back, you can see just how far you've come—and how much your beliefs have changed along the way. But with every new stage of life, we face different challenges… and sometimes, we get stuck.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're exploring the hidden thoughts that hold us back: limiting beliefs. These sneaky patterns of thinking can quietly shape how we see ourselves, what we believe is possible, and whether or not we feel capable of change.

You'll hear:

How limiting beliefs form—and why they're so easy to miss
Common beliefs that keep women stuck after breast cancer
How to identify the thoughts that may be quietly sabotaging your progress
Simple, empowering steps to begin shifting those beliefs into ones that serve your healing and growth
Why changing your mindset is one of the most powerful ways to change your life

If you've ever found yourself asking, "Why do I keep ending up here?" this episode will help you uncover the thought patterns running the show—and give you the tools to rewrite them with intention and compassion.

Resources:

Limited Beliefs

As a Man Thinketh

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Turning Negative Emotions Into Positive Motivation,

#88 Why you need to feel all of your emotions May 22, 2020

Show notes

When I was fresh out of breast cancer treatment, I didn't know what I was feeling—I just knew I was angry. And anger? It felt safe. Justifiable. Even powerful.

But here's the truth: anger often masks deeper, more painful emotions—like grief, fear, and loss—that we don't know how to face. It becomes armor that protects us from vulnerability, but it also keeps us from healing.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're talking about why so many women resist feeling their emotions after cancer—and how doing the exact opposite can be the first real step toward emotional freedom and peace.

You'll hear:

Why anger is often a cover for more tender, transformational emotions
How unfelt emotions can linger and show up in your body and mindset
Why allowing emotions to surface is not weakness, but wisdom
Simple, safe ways to start feeling and releasing what's been stuck
How emotional awareness supports your recovery and your overall well-being

If you've been feeling stuck in frustration or numbness and wondering why you don't feel better yet, this episode is your gentle nudge toward a different kind of healing—one that starts on the inside.

Resources:Emotion Suppression and Mortality Risk Over a 12-Year Follow-up

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Why Can't I Drink Like Everyone Else?

#87 A Mindful Approach to Alcohol and Breast Cancer Recovery May 15, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that 63% of people in the U.S. drink alcohol regularly—and that even small amounts have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer? At the same time, major organizations like the American Heart Association and the Arthritis Foundation say one drink a day might offer heart and anti-inflammatory benefits.

So… who's right?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore the gray area when it comes to alcohol and your health. I'll share my personal story and what led me to rethink my relationship with alcohol, especially after a cancer diagnosis.

You'll hear:

What current research says about alcohol and breast cancer risk
Conflicting recommendations from trusted health organizations
Why alcohol impacts each of us differently based on genetics, metabolism, and medical history
Thoughtful questions to help you decide how (or if) alcohol fits into your life
A compassionate reminder that your choices are personal—and you deserve to make them without guilt

If you've ever felt confused about alcohol's role in your life or pressured to make a decision based on mixed messages, this episode will help you tune out the noise and turn inward.

Resources:

Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk

Breastcancer.org

MD anderson Cancer center

MD Anderson website

arthritis foundation

The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach Facebook Group

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The Confidence Gap In Men And Women: Why It Matters And How To Overcome It

#86 Be The Light at the End of Your Tunnel May 08, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever had someone say something hurtful or belittling that stayed with you? Of course you have—most of us have. But here's the real question: how often do you say those things to yourself?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we're turning the spotlight inward and talking about something so many women struggle with—negative self-talk. From offhand comments like "I'm my own worst critic" to deeply ingrained beliefs that we don't even notice, the way we speak to ourselves matters.

You'll hear:

Why harsh self-talk becomes a habit—and how it keeps us stuck
How to recognize the moments you're unconsciously tearing yourself down
The real reasons you might think you should feel bad (and how to challenge them)
Two simple steps to start shifting your inner dialogue toward kindness and encouragement
Why the way you treat yourself sets the standard for how others treat you, too

If you've been feeling heavy, discouraged, or caught in a cycle of self-blame, this episode is a gentle wake-up call—and a reminder that you deserve love, starting with the love you give yourself.

Resources:

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Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings

#85 A Simple Way to Find Peace and Creativity While Supporting Your Health Apr 25, 2020

Show notes

When life feels unbearably heavy—when cancer, finances, pandemics, or isolation make it hard to even get dressed in the morning—it's time to pause and ask: What does my mind need right now?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to lift mental fog, ease emotional weight, and support your healing journey: getting outside.

Modern life bombards us with nonstop information, noise, and stimulation. Without even realizing it, your brain can start to shut down under the weight of it all. But research shows that just stepping into nature—breathing fresh air, seeing green, feeling the sun—can restore mental clarity and create the internal space for new thoughts, ideas, and healing.

You'll hear:

What science says about how time in nature improves mental and emotional health
Why being outdoors can help reset your overwhelmed brain
How movement in nature supports your mood, metabolism, and mindset
Easy ways to bring nature into your day, even if you're not feeling your best

If you're feeling stuck, foggy, or emotionally drained, this episode offers you gentle encouragement and a simple, evidence-based path back to yourself—one step outside at a time.

Resources:

An occasion for unselfing: Beautiful nature leads to prosociality

Exercise is an all-natural treatment to fight depression

Books:

Radical Remission

Radical Hope

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