My cancer journey: Celebrating 5 incredible years of being cancer-free!
A Survivor's Story of Transformation
If you’ve been following along, you’ve shared in some of the most vulnerable moments of my journey—my journey with cancer. Over the past few blog posts and podcast episodes, I’ve opened up about my diagnosis, the initial shock, and the life-altering decisions I made in the early stages. I’ve shared how I changed my diet, detoxed my home, and even explored medical cannabis as part of my healing process.
Today, I want to take you deeper—into the lessons I’ve learned over the past five years. While those early days were about surviving, what followed was a much more profound shift. Cancer didn’t just change my body—it rewired the way I live my life every single day. And that’s what I want to share with you today.
You see, cancer doesn’t just disappear. Even after you hear the words “cancer-free,” it stays with you. It teaches you, it shapes you, and it reminds you what’s truly important. For me, that meant reflecting on every choice I make—from what I put on my plate to the thoughts I allow in my mind. It’s about living with intention, every day.
Before my diagnosis, I, like so many of us, was caught up in the rush of life—planning for the future, working, worrying, without ever really stopping to think: Am I living the life I want? Cancer forced me to stop. It was like life stripped away everything I thought mattered, and I was left staring at my most vulnerable, raw self.
That’s when it hit me: my purpose became crystal clear. I didn’t want to live in fear, and I didn’t want others to experience the pain and uncertainty I had. That’s why I made the decision to not only heal myself, but to assist others in preventing disease by living a life that supports full-body health—mind, body, and soul. That’s what pushed me to go back to school and become a health and wellness coach.
But following that path wasn’t easy. Not everyone understood or supported my decisions. I remember the looks I’d get when I told people about the changes I was making—switching to a vegan diet, avoiding plastics, reducing toxins. People would smile politely, but their eyes said something different. Some would even ask, “Isn’t that a bit extreme? Do you really think it’ll make a difference?”
Those doubts—whether from others or myself—were hard to navigate. But every time I questioned if I was doing the right thing, my intuition brought me back. I knew that the changes I was making weren’t just for today—they were for the rest of my life. And that’s what kept me going.
A big lesson for me was balance. In the beginning, I believed I had to control everything—from making my own bread and faux meats to using only natural cleaners. I thought if I did everything perfectly, I could protect myself. But it wasn’t long before that control started to suffocate me. The stress of trying to be perfect became toxic. And I realized that health isn’t about perfection; it’s about balance.
I gave myself permission to let go of that 100% mindset and embraced the 90% rule. If I made healthy choices most of the time, I was doing enough. And that shift brought me so much peace. It allowed me to live with more joy and flexibility.
But perhaps the most profound realization came just last week during my 5-year check-up. I walked into that appointment hoping to hear, “You’re in the clear.” But instead, my oncologist said, “You’re still high risk for recurrence.” That hit me hard. I’d done everything “right,” yet here I was, still facing the reality that cancer could return.
That was a sobering moment. But instead of letting it weigh me down, it reignited my determination to live fully, to make the most of every moment. And that’s what I want to offer to you, whether you’re facing cancer, another health challenge, or just the struggles of everyday life. The lesson is to live with intention, to embrace balance, and to remember that while we can’t control everything, we can control how we care for ourselves—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Cancer shifted something inside of me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, beyond self-doubt, and into a life where I am no longer afraid to use my voice. That’s why I wrote my books and started this podcast—because I believe my story can assist others, just as your story has the power to inspire someone else.
So, as I continue this journey, I invite you to reflect on yours. What choices are you making for yourself today that will support your health, your happiness, and your future? And remember, you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be mindful.
If you're curious to hear the full story, including all the lessons, and surprises, I invite you to listen to the latest episode of the Radiate Health and Wellness Podcast: 5 Years Cancer FREE and Still Going STRONG! You won’t want to miss it! Tune in on YouTube or SPOTIFY.
Live purposefully, find your own balance and radiate health and wellness in all that you do!
