Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database

#53 Spice up Your Life to Support Your Health Aug 25, 2019

Show notes

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 that have been used for centuries to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. These humble ingredients aren't just flavorful—they're functional.

Even if you don't love cooking, don't worry. You'll get practical tips on how to incorporate these spices into your daily routine without turning on the stove or dealing with messy cleanups.

This episode is for you if:

You're ready to reconnect with joy and lightness, even during recovery
You love natural wellness and want to learn more about home remedies
You're curious about how food can support your healing and digestion
You want quick and easy ways to add more nutrition and comfort to your routine

Resources:

Arthritis Foundation on Turmeric

Banyan Botanicals Turmeric Tablets – Organic Turmeric Supplement (Curcuma Longa) – For Supporting Healthy Skin, Comfortable Joints & Overall Health

Simply Organic Cardamom, 2.82 Ounce, Certified Organic & Kosher, Aromatic, Subtly Spicy-Sweet, No ETO, Non Irradiated

Visit The Breast Cancer Recover Coach Website

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Psychosocial Support Options for People with Cancer

#52 How You Show up to Create the Life You Want to Live. Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

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 where you might unknowingly be your own roadblock.
Uncover strategies to reshape your language and thought patterns, and understand their profound role in healing and lifelong success.

For hands-on guidance, download the complimentary action sheet linked below, crafted to help you identify areas of self-sabotage.

Tune in, absorb, and then harness the power of the free resource.

It's time to recalibrate your mindset, stepping into the world as the embodiment of the life you envision!

Resources:

Placebo

Can Positive Thinking Help You Heal?

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#51 Social Support, Why You Need it and How to Build it Aug 04, 2019

Show notes

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 with survivorship. You'll also hear why your loved ones may be struggling too, and how open communication can help both sides adjust to a "new normal."

You'll learn four practical steps to help you rebuild and strengthen your support system, clarify your needs, and invite the people around you to be active, informed champions in your healing journey.

This episode is for you if:

You're feeling isolated or misunderstood after treatment has ended
You've noticed changes in your relationships and aren't sure how to navigate them
You want to feel emotionally supported and deeply connected in your new chapter
You're ready to have real conversations that create safe, empowering relationships

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Books: The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally

#50 Metabolic Syndrome and Breast Cancer Jul 28, 2019

Show notes

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 cancer treatment.

In this episode, dive into:

Recognizable symptoms of metabolic syndrome and their significance.
Potential complications if left unchecked.
Practical steps to prevent, manage, and possibly reverse these symptoms.

Empower yourself with knowledge, equipping you to pose the right questions to your medical team and craft lifestyle habits that bolster, not hinder, your health. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the challenges of weight management and health restoration post-breast cancer treatment.

Resources for this episode:

The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss

The Obesity Code Cookbook: Recipes to Help You Manage Insulin, Lose Weight, and Improve Your Health

Tools:

DSS Precision Xtra Blood Glucose Meter Kit, Results in 5 seconds, Strips Not Included (1 Kit)

BMI Calculator

Studies and Articles:

An observational study to examine changes in metabolic syndrome components in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy

Is There a Connection Between Diabetes and Breast Cancer?

What is the relationship between breast cancer and diabetes?

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#49 Five Steps to Managing Setbacks Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

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 when you're faced with yet another setback. You'll learn how to regain your sense of control, avoid the emotional spiral that comes with unexpected challenges, and approach setbacks with more clarity, compassion, and resilience.

This episode is for you if:

You're feeling weighed down by recurring obstacles during recovery
You tend to internalize setbacks or blame yourself when things go wrong
You want tools to stay grounded and emotionally balanced when life gets hard
You're ready to respond to life's challenges without losing hope or momentum

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National Comprehensive Cancer network in their standards of care for cancer related fatigue

#48 Five Fatigue Busting Strategies Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

Fatigue is one of the most common—and lingering—challenges breast cancer survivors face. It doesn't always end when treatment does. In fact, many women find themselves wondering why they still feel exhausted months or even years later.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we dive into the real reasons behind post-treatment fatigue and why more sleep isn't always the solution. You'll learn five powerful, 100% natural strategies to help restore your energy, improve your daily function, and help you feel more like yourself again—without relying on quick fixes or caffeine crashes.

This episode is for you if:

You're tired of feeling exhausted, even after a full night's sleep
You've finished treatment but haven't regained your energy
You want to support your healing with natural, body-friendly solutions
You're ready to shift from just coping to actually improving your quality of life

Resources:

Nancy's List

Episode 15- MTHFR the Good and the Bad

Episode 44- Hydration, Fatigue, Glowing Skin and Weight Loss

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Chocolate...food or drug?

#47 Managing Blood Sugar Naturally and Craving Chocolate Jul 07, 2019

Show notes

In honor of National Chocolate Day, we're diving into one of life's most delicious mysteries—why we crave chocolate, and what science (and ancient wisdom) has to say about it. Is it the magnesium? The serotonin boost? Or maybe the emotional comfort? Tune in to hear what researchers think might really be going on.

You'll also get my favorite resource for plant-based, low-sugar chocolate treats that don't spike inflammation—because you can love chocolate and support your healing at the same time.

And that's not all! In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, you'll learn about an Ayurvedic herb that's gaining major traction in Western medicine for its powerful effects on blood sugar regulation—so powerful, in fact, that a pharmaceutical drug was created based on its active compound.

This episode is for you if:

You love chocolate and want a healthier way to enjoy it
You're curious about cravings and what they say about your body
You want to support your blood sugar naturally through food and herbs
You're ready to jumpstart your healing with a chance to win free access to the REVIVIFY course

Resources for this episode:

The Minimalist Baker

No Bake Vegan Brownies

The Bliss of Chocolate, An Ayurvedic Perspective

Banyan Botanicals Shardunika Powder - Certified Organic, 1/2 Pound - Gymnema sylvestre - Supports healthy blood glucose levels and proper function of the pancreas*

Banyan Botanicals Sweet Ease - Certified Organic, 90 Tablets - Reduces Kapha and Promotes Healthy Blood Glucose Levels

Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking: 101 Entirely Plant-based, Mostly Gluten-Free, Easy and Delicious Recipes

The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach Website

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Send Me The Meditation on Impermanence

#46 How Facing Impermanence Can Lead to a Happier Life Jun 29, 2019

Show notes

One of the most challenging parts of breast cancer recovery isn't just the treatment—it's what happens after treatment ends. The emotional aftermath, the unexpected identity shifts, and the grief over a life that no longer looks or feels the same can leave survivors feeling unanchored and overwhelmed.

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we take a compassionate, science-backed look at why navigating post-treatment change is so hard—and how learning to embrace life's impermanence can actually lead to greater peace, purpose, and happiness.

You'll hear about:

Two powerful psychological theories that explain why we resist change, especially after trauma
How cancer diagnoses can trigger PTSD and what symptoms to watch for in yourself or loved ones
A gentle, practical way to begin accepting life's changes without fear or resistance
The science and ancient wisdom that show why facing impermanence leads to emotional freedom and a more joyful life

This episode is for you if:

You feel lost, stuck, or confused after finishing cancer treatment
You've been grieving the life or body you had before diagnosis
You're ready to find peace with change and live more fully in the present
You want a blend of science, psychology, and soul to support your healing journey

Join us as we unravel the intricacies of change and the quest for contentment in the face of life's unpredictability.

You can get a FREE download of meditation on impermanence that I recorded for this show by clicking the link below.

Resources: The Lesson on Impermanence

Books:

That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour

The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life

Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds

Advice on Dying: And Living a Better Life

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Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

#45 Sensuality and Sex After Breast Cancer Jun 22, 2019

Show notes

Sexuality and intimacy are often the unspoken parts of breast cancer recovery—but they're just as important as physical healing. In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I'm joined by Dr. Angela Cooke-Jackson, a globally recognized expert in health communication, health behaviors, and human sexuality.

Dr. Cooke-Jackson, an Associate Professor at California State University Los Angeles, has traveled the world studying sexual health literacy, cultural norms, and health disparities. Her insights, warmth, and no-nonsense approach provide a safe, affirming space to talk about the emotional and physical complexities of post-cancer intimacy.

We dive into topics many survivors silently struggle with—body image, desire, confidence, and how to have those conversations with your partner. If you've felt alone in this part of your recovery, this episode will remind you that you're not—and that support and solutions do exist.

This episode is for you if:

You're navigating changes in your sexual self after breast cancer
You've struggled to talk with your partner about intimacy, desire, or physical discomfort
You want practical tools for rebuilding confidence in your body and relationships
You're ready to normalize conversations around sexual health and recovery

Resources:

Angela's Twitter account: @DrCookeJackson

www.omgyes.com Book:

What Almost Dying Taught me About Living

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