Libsyn Directory

#391 Holiday Boundaries for Breast Cancer Survivors - The Science of Emotional Power

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Release Date: 12/20/2024

#414 Smart Food Swaps For Breast Cancer Recovery - The AA Nutrition Plan

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

This episode is such an exciting one, and honestly, it might just change the way you think about what you eat—especially if you’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed about what’s “safe” or supportive after a breast cancer diagnosis. I’m talking about two powerful cellular processes that are important for us to understand: autophagy and angiogenesis. These are what researchers call hallmarks of cancer—but they’re also incredible opportunities for healing. And the best part? You don’t need to fast for days or eat perfectly to support them. You just need to make some smart,...

#413 Vibration Plates For Breast Cancer Recovery - Muscle Bone and Bowel Benefits You Should Know About

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

If you’ve ever looked at a wellness gadget and thought, “Is this really going to help me?”—you’re not alone. In this episode of The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach Podcast, we explore the science behind a popular wellness tool: vibration plates, also known as whole-body vibration therapy (WBV). Whether you’re in recovery from breast cancer, managing post-treatment fatigue, experiencing bone loss, or dealing with sluggish digestion, you’ll discover how this gentle, low-impact tool could support your healing journey. We’ll dive into clinical research,...

#412 Emotional Eating After Breast Cancer - Why it Happens and How to Heal Gently

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the pantry during a stressful moment, reaching for something sweet, salty, or crunchy—just to take the edge off? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, I open up about my own experience with emotional eating during cancer recovery and share gentle, compassionate strategies to help you understand and shift this pattern—without guilt or shame. We’ll explore: -How cortisol (your stress hormone) drives cravings -What emotional triggers might be signaling -How to respond to your...

#411 How to Embrace Resistance and Move Through Life's Toughest Moments

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we’re talking about the concept of resistance — a natural, human response to discomfort, fear, and change. Resistance can show up in many forms, whether you're facing a difficult decision, trying to adopt new habits, or navigating life after cancer treatment. But here's the good news: resistance isn’t something to fight. It's a powerful signal that you're on the verge of growth. Let’s talk about: -Why does resistance come up -How can it affect your ability to move forward -How to work with resistance instead of against it I’ll give...

#410 How Breast Cancer Treatments Disrupt Your Digestion And What to Do About It?

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer™, we're talking about a common and little-talked-about side effect of breast cancer treatment and day-to-day living: digestive changes. If you've experienced bloating, reflux, fatigue, or that uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, this episode is for you. You'll learn why hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is often misdiagnosed as high stomach acid, how breast cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy contribute to poor digestion, and why treating symptoms with acid-blocking medications might be doing...

#409 Breast Cancer, Wellness and Nature Deficit Disorder

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Have you ever felt like you just breathe easier when you step outside? There's a reason for that—and it’s much deeper than simply “liking” nature. In this episode, we dive into why humans are biologically wired to crave nature and what happens when we ignore that inner pull for too long. We’ll explore the science behind Nature Deficit Disorder, the powerful mind-body effects of spending time outside, and how reconnecting with the natural world can support emotional, metabolic, and immune health—especially after breast cancer. You'll hear about: ...

#408 Breast Cancer and Your Body - Who's Betraying Whom?

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Do you think it’s normal to feel discomfort in your body? Or do you recognize discomfort as your body’s attempt to communicate with you? In this thought-provoking episode, I challenge the idea that our bodies betray us. We’ll talk about how we've been conditioned to ignore discomfort, push through pain, and normalize symptoms like bloating, fatigue, inflammation, and poor sleep—until something more serious forces us to listen. I’ll share my personal experiences and real-life stories—including the heartbreaking loss of my brother to a curable cancer—to illustrate why tuning into...

#407 How Breast Cancer Medications Impact Nutrients - And What You Can Do About It?

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, we're diving into how common post-treatment medications—like Tamoxifen, Aromatase Inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane), Herceptin, Fulvestrant, and Bisphosphonates (like Fosamax and Reclast)—can deplete critical nutrients your body needs to feel good and stay strong. Have you ever wondered if the medications you're taking after breast cancer treatment could be affecting your energy, mood, or even your bone health? You're not imagining things. You'll learn: Which nutrients are most commonly depleted by these...

#406 The Surprising Truth About Behavior Change After Breast Cancer

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, Laura Lummer dives into the real—and often overlooked—challenges of making and maintaining lifestyle changes after a breast cancer diagnosis. Starting with a powerful quote from Lao Tzu, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading,” Laura reflects on the emotional weight, conditioned beliefs, and survival instincts that make behavior change both essential and incredibly difficult. Whether you’ve felt stuck in old habits or overwhelmed by the pressure to be “perfectly healthy,” this episode...

#405 Is Gluten Affecting Your Gut and Mood After Breast Cancer?

Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Have you ever wondered why foods like bread or pasta don’t sit quite right with you anymore—even though you’ve never had a problem with gluten in the past? In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore how gluten, gut health, glyphosate, and mood are deeply connected—especially after breast cancer treatment. You’ll learn: Why gluten can affect your gut and brain even without celiac disease The role of zonulin and leaky gut in inflammation and depression How breast cancer treatments like hormone therapy and aromatase inhibitors impact your gut What glyphosate...

More Episodes

Lately holiday gatherings that can feel like emotional minefields have been weighing heavy with a lot of my clients. Listen, I get it - there's Aunt Martha asking why you're not wearing a wig, your well-meaning mom hovering over every bite you take, and maybe those relatives who just can't stop giving their "expert" medical advice.

We need to talk about this!

Not just the surface stuff, but really dive into what's happening in our brains during these moments and why we react the way we do.

In this episode, I'm sharing everything I've learned about taking back your power during these moments - from the incredible research of Dr. Tara Swart about how we're influenced by the five people closest to us (hello, holiday family tree!), to the practical tools I've developed through my own cancer journey.

We're going to talk about real situations, real emotions, and real solutions that work, even when you're feeling overwhelmed.

You've got more power than you realize, and I'm going to show you exactly how to tap into it, especially during those challenging family moments. Remember, you get to choose how you want to show up, no matter what anyone else brings to the table.

So grab your favorite cozy drink, find a quiet spot, and let's dig into this together. Trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll have a whole new perspective on those holiday gatherings - and more importantly, on your own power to handle them.

What You'll Learn

How your brain's amygdala influences emotional reactions during family gatherings
The science behind why certain family members trigger stress responses
Understanding and applying Dr. Tara Swart's People Tree concept
Practical techniques for maintaining emotional boundaries during holidays
How to integrate Laura Lummer's "Regroup" principle into family situations
Science-based strategies for managing holiday stress as a cancer survivor

Key Topics Covered

🧠 The Neuroscience of Family Triggers

Understanding the amygdala's role in emotional reactions
Why we react before thinking (the 1/50th second response)
How past experiences shape current reactions

🌳 Your Holiday People Tree

Identifying your everyday vs. holiday influencers
Creating conscious choices about social influences

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Tara Swart's Book – The Source
Laura Lummer's Four Pillars of Breast Cancer Recovery

Quotes from the Episode

"Your amygdala works fast, but your prefrontal cortex can work smarter."

"Recovery isn't just about physical healing - it's about reclaiming your emotional power."

Related Episodes

Connect With Laura

Instagram: @thebreastcancerrecoverycoach

Facebook Group: The Breast Cancer Recovery Group

Website: The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach

Download my Free Resources

Keywords

#BreastCancerSurvivor #HolidayStress #CancerRecovery #EmotionalHealth #FamilyDynamics #Boundaries #Healing #Neuroscience #PeopleTree #SurvivorStrength #CancerSupport #HolidayCoping #EmotionalWellness #CancerCare #SurvivorWellness

Note: This episode is part of our ongoing series supporting breast cancer survivors through all stages of recovery. While we discuss medical concepts, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.

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