Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

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#73 How Using Your Breath can Heal Your Body and Mind Jan 30, 2020

Show notes

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 from their bodies. They're angry, confused, sad, and full of questions like "Why did this happen to me?" But too often, they silence those feelings by saying, "I should just be grateful I'm alive."

Tanya is here to tell you: it's okay to sit with those emotions. In fact, it's necessary for true healing.

In this episode, we talk about how trauma shows up in the body—especially after a life-altering diagnosis—and how Pause Breathwork can help you safely reconnect to your body, your energy, and your emotions.

You'll hear:

Why unresolved trauma creates what Tanya calls an "embodied violation hangover"
How Pause Breathwork helps release stuck emotions like fear, resentment, and grief
The types of breathwork practices available and how to get started
How your nervous system responds to trauma—and how to support it in recovery
Why feeling your emotions is the first step toward true healing

If you've ever struggled with body image, anger, or a sense of disconnection after cancer, this episode is your permission to feel—and your invitation to heal.

Resources:

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#72 No One Goes Through Cancer Alone Jan 23, 2020

Show notes

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, the long-term medications… and the quiet grief and fear that linger for both survivors and the people who love them.

Cancer doesn't just change you—it changes your relationships. Your spouse, your kids, your siblings, your best friends… they carry trauma too. They're the silent witnesses who walk alongside us, sometimes without the space or tools to process what they've endured.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Four common perspectives that shape the post-cancer experience—for both survivors and loved ones
How to open up meaningful conversations with those who supported you
The way your healing journey affects (and reflects) your loved ones' responses
How to acknowledge and honor the emotional toll cancer takes on your "champions"
Where to find connection, understanding, and community as you move forward

If you've ever felt misunderstood or struggled to explain what life after cancer really feels like—or wondered how to better support the people who stood by you—this episode offers clarity, compassion, and connection.

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Join the free Breast Cancer Recovery Group

#71 How to Create the Space for Positive Growth in Your Life Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

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 treatment and tend to put your own needs last.

But we don't stop there.

We dig into something so many of us struggle with: the mental and physical clutter that keeps us stuck. From limiting beliefs to emotional baggage to chaotic environments, the noise in your mind and life may be the very thing blocking your healing and growth.

You'll hear:

Why self-care is not selfish
How confidence starts with how you show up for yourself
The powerful difference between spending and investing in your well-being
How your outer world reflects your inner world
What it actually takes to create real, lasting change after trauma

If you've ever felt like there's no space left for you in your own life, this episode will inspire you to start making that space—guilt-free and full of purpose.

Resources:

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How your mental health reaps the benefits of exercise

#70 The One Thing You Must Do For Your Body and Mind Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

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 what it is… you're probably just not doing it consistently (yet!).

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm sharing the most powerful habit you can build—one that has transformed my life and the lives of countless women I've coached. And I'm not just giving you the why—I'm giving you the how so you can take action right now.

So, grab your headphones, get up, and walk while you listen. Let's turn knowledge into action and start building the habit that could truly change your life in the next three months.

Resources:

Cancer Exercise Training Institute

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Everything Is Figureoutable

#69 Why You Shouldn't Focus on Goals for 2020 Jan 03, 2020

Show notes

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 system you need to support lasting change. Whether you're aiming to shift your weight, your habits, or how you see yourself, I'll walk you through the real reason most resolutions fizzle out—and how you can avoid that trap.

You'll hear:

Why intention without action keeps you stuck
What it really takes to create change that lasts
How to move from wishful thinking to a solid, feel-good plan

If you're ready to do more than just hope things will change this year, this episode will help you start with clarity and confidence. You deserve a life that feels better than before—so let's get real and get started.

Resources:

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Click here for your action sheet

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TEDx "The future of Cancer Research Lies Behind Us"

#68 Dr. Robert Nagourney on Outliving Cancer Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

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 treatments—and why personalized care is not just the future, but a necessity.

You'll learn:

Why change is critical in cancer treatment today
What personalized cancer care actually means—and how it can improve survival and reduce toxicity
How patients can take an active role in their cancer care
Options beyond standard treatment protocols to improve outcomes
The impact of lifestyle choices on treatment success and recovery
The importance of awareness and agency when living with metastatic disease
A surprising, evidence-based medicine that may offer significant health support

Dr. Nagourney brings not only decades of clinical insight but deep compassion and commitment to helping people with cancer access smarter, more effective care. His perspective is refreshing, hopeful, and deeply human.

Whether you or someone you love is navigating cancer treatment, or you're passionate about the future of integrative oncology, this episode offers valuable knowledge, encouragement, and a new way to think about healing.

Resources:

WSJ Article: "Every Cancer Patient is One in a Billion"

USA Today Article On Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor

The Nagourney Cancer Institute

Books: Outliving Cancer

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#67 How to Change Your Actions by Understanding Your Thoughts Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

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 about facing fear, making tough decisions, and breaking out of the thought-emotion-behavior cycle that keeps us stuck. You'll learn how to identify the emotions behind your actions—and how to trace them back to the thoughts that created them.

This episode is for you if:

You feel stuck in patterns you want to change—whether it's emotional eating, procrastination, or overwhelm
You're ready to stop avoiding fear and start taking intentional action
You want to understand the deeper connection between your thoughts, emotions, and habits
You're craving a breakthrough moment—and a real strategy to help you get there

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Integrative Oncology: A Healthier Way to Fight Cancer

#66 Five Easy Ways to Reduce Inflammation Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

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, you'll learn how to take real, affordable steps to reduce inflammation naturally—without falling for gimmicky products or overpriced "cures."

You'll hear:

Five simple, lifestyle changes you can make right now to calm inflammation and support recovery
A deep dive into three powerful, easy-to-find botanicals backed by science for their anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting benefits
How to use these botanicals in everyday life—even if you don't love cooking or have a complicated wellness routine
The truth about inflammation and how you can empower yourself with gentle, sustainable healing practices

This episode is for you if:

You're dealing with lingering pain, stiffness, or inflammation after treatment
You want to reduce your risk of chronic disease without relying on medication alone
You're curious about natural, evidence-based approaches to healing
You're ready to feel more comfortable, energized, and in control of your body again

Resources:

Berberine reverses lapatinib resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer cells by increasing the level of ROS

Synergistic chemopreventive effects of curcumin and berberine on human breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and autophagic cell death

Berberine in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy of Boswellia-based cream for prevention of adjuvant radiotherapy skin damage in mammary carcinoma: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center About Herbs App

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs website

Effect of bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation

Effect of bromelain on kaolin-induced inflammation in rats.

Supplements:

Banyan Botanicals Boswellia Powder

Sunergetic Premium Berberine Supplement

NusaPure Bromelain 1500mg

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