Kickin it Forward Podcast

Kelly Black-Holmes described herself as an “energizer bunny,” who never stopped. From her basketball career to her professional career along with being a great mom, she was always on the go. This was until the pandemic forced her to slow down and she discovered something was wrong with her breast that wasn't found on a mammogram. This is her story…   To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com 

Imagine having seen your young child endure cancer and then being diagnosed with it yourself. This is what Sharon DeLaney McCloud had to go through. We discussed with her how she and her family were able to endure and thrive and why research is so important on the fight for cancer impacting women! To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Hall of Fame Coach Sylvia Hatchell spent her entire life competing and cancer was no different. Having faced acute myeloid leukemia she sat down with us and discussed her journey through a rare form of cancer while being a coach at UNC-Chapel Hill. You can find her book, Fight Fight! Discover Your Inner Strength When Blindsided by Faith on Amazon.  To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

After growing up through the great depression, losing her first husband suddenly in her 40s, and having to raise 3 black children in the Jim Crow South during the 60s & 70s, Christine Goode had faced a lot in her life. Yet when she was 70 years old she still had a battle of cancer. In this episode she discusses how she was able to overcome this and be cancer free for 20 years. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Getting laid off as a young graduate is hard. Operating a business is hard. Battling cancer is hard. Imagine having to do all of these things. Donna Mitchell did. In this episode we talk about her journey and how she was able to navigate so many obstacles and still build a thriving business and live a purpose filled life. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Hall of Fame Coach Debbie Ryan has a resume that most coaches dream of. Her tenacious spirit served her well during her coaching career, but she took a different approach when she had cancer. In this entertaining interview we discussed how she killed cancer with “kindness,” and what it took to build the mentality to do it. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Erin was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer at age 34, just after the birth of her second child. And despite having no immediate family around her and her husband were still able to get through a rare diagnosis and still have another baby! Listen to this great interview about how it all unfolded. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com 

Imagine being diagnosed with cancer on Valentines Day..This was Dr. Shannon Yates' reality. In addition to that she had it rough coming up because she lost both of her parents when she was younger. Despite all of her trials she found a way to create her own scholarship at NC State but she built a thriving career in college athletics. Let her interview inspire you to be the best version of you despite the obstacles. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Nobody wants to hear those dreaded 3 words: “You have cancer.” Women's basketball hall of famer Nikki McCray heard those words right after she became a new mom and was beginning a flourishing coaching career. In this episode we break down what she did next and how her story can inspire you to kick life forward. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com 

Carol Risucci says that women should not put off their mammograms, even though they're uncomfortable. She actually vividly describes how uncomfortable they are in this episode as she discussed what it was like having her diagnosis with two teenage children. This very candid conversation will inspire you to go get checked and to get the women you love to get checked as well.    To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com 

Imagine being on vacation and getting the news that you were diagnosed with cancer?! This is what Anna Crollman had to face. Listen as she uses her story of facing breast cancer in her 20s to inspire other women to thrive through adversity on her blog, social media and personal events. Learn more about Anna at www.MyCancerChic.com  To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Carol lost her mother to cancer as a freshman in college and she says: “Losing your mother to cancer changes you..” In our interview we discuss how she fought to keep her family together and what her mother told her that inspired her to become the amazing person she is today. Don't miss this episode! To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

A cancer diagnosis is devastating for many, and though Cat Huegler is a high performing professional woman in the workforce, she got her diagnosis and still went to have dinner with a client afterwards! Listen to this interview where Cat talks about how she was able to process and balance planning a wedding, a high powered job, and a cancer diagnosis with grace. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Cindy Alexander is an award winning singer songwriter and recording artist, a mother of twin daughters, animal and nature lover, a cancer survivor and advocate for personal health and well being. She's passionate about “playing it forward,” and we interviewed her about how she not only plays it forward, but she's kicked it forward. You can reach out to Cindy at: www.CindyAlexander.com  To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Coach Yow would've been 80 years young on this day and her ripple effect continues to live on. During this episode we interviewed Dr. JoEllen Halteman, whose daughter Hannah played for Coach Yow. Listen in as we discuss how Coach Yow helped change her life and helped her navigate through the ups and downs. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

Jackie Stiles told her 2nd-grade teacher she was going to be a professional basketball player. She was a rare talent on the basketball court and was able to have an amazing career. In this interview, we discuss how she is overcoming being 6 in a million for a rare ocular cancer. If you want to donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Lynn is a 3-time cancer survivor who now leads Georgia CORE, a nonprofit with a mission of advancing cancer research and education. She credits clinical trials with the treatments and medications that allow her to live a full life today. In this interview we discussed her journey and how she's giving back to help find life saving research opportunities for all.

Spending 20 years as a college referee and an athlete her entire life, Kelly Moyer faced stiff competition and split second calls in the heat of many big moments. Once she got the call that she got cancer, she simply said: “It didn't phase me..” Listen to this interview as she shares the context around why she said that and how you can use it in your life to change the world for the better. Donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund at www.KayYow.com

Holly Rowe has worked for ESPN for over 20 years. As a woman in a male dominated field she is now at the top of her field having reported on the biggest sports stages. In this episode she discusses what and who inspired her to fight her battle with cancer and how others can battle the great obstacles in their lives.   To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Susan Williams has dedicated her life to her family. As a lifelong NC State fan & breast cancer warrior her family got to meet Coach Yow and have been able to keep the legacy of the fund and Play4Kay moving forward. In this episode we discuss how her and her family have been able to move the mission of the fund forward. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com

Many people think that cancer mainly impacts older people or young children. This is false. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that impacts younger women a great deal and it's very difficult to diagnose. On this episode we discuss how Lori Edwards fought TNBC and how you can use it to kick any obstacle in your life out of the way. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com

On January 24, 2009 Coach Kay Yow transitioned away from this life into the next. She left an amazing legacy on the court, but also she left the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Many people connected to the fund didn't get a chance to meet Coach Yow, so in this interview we sat down with the CEO of the fund who coached with Coach Yow for 15 years to discuss her legacy. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com

Jeanne Frazer is a strong woman in business and beyond. But when she was a little girl she had an incident occur that took her power. This led her to have a powerful connection with horses. Later in her life she faced the mighty mountain of cancer and had to, “get back on the horse,” to overcome that obstacle. In this interview we dive deep into how she does it on a daily basis while running a company and living her life. Learn more about Jeanne's company Vitalink by visiting: www.YourVitaLink.com   To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com

Cheryl Leone and her family created a “team pod” to help her navigate her cancer diagnosis. It is an extraordinary collection of people that came together to help their loved one through cancer. We talk about how this pod helped Cheryl Leone learn to live despite facing a diagnosis that would cause other people to fold underneath the pressure. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Jericka Jenkins is a Division 1 Assistant Coach and former standout point guard that led her school to the NCAA tournament 3 consecutive years. She ranks #2 all time in assists in women's college basketball. But before all of that her greatest assist came from those that helped her overcome cancer. Tune in to hear her story. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com

“Nobody is ever ready for the ‘C' word…” Annette K. Lynch spent her entire life competing as an athlete and a coach. She faced many battles, even an epic battle on the court with Coach Yow, but not even she was ready for cancer initially. Who is? Listen to this interview as we dive deep into how not to live in fear. Learn more about Annette and AKL Connection LLC at www.AKLConnection.com  To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund please visit: www.KayYow.com

After being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant Claren Englebreth's philosophy was still, "turn bad things into good things." This interview discusses how she's been able to maintain that throughout her life. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Angela Caraway asked her Mom, "Am I going to die?" What her mother told her next activated her faith and led her on a journey to overcome colon cancer. In this interview we discuss how she became mentally strong, not just for her treatment, but for when it was over. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Katrina Cooke. Recently divorced, single mom, and now cancer warrior. 10 years ago to the day, Katrina was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and thanks to research and an incredible attitude she is still here loving her family and living her life. In this interview we go deep into her journey and how anyone can learn how to overcome the obstacles in their life. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Hearing you have cancer at any age is tough, but it's especially tough when you've "done all the right things," and you have husband and a young family along with a flourishing career like Jen Hoverstad. In this episode of the Kickin it Forward Podcast we interview Jen Hoverstad who is a cancer warrior who believes that she is greater than cancer and she uses her platform and her story to share that message with others to help them overcome the obstacles in their own lives. For more information on Jen visit: www.JenHoverstad.com  To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Simone Edwards is a WNBA champion, philanthropist, and author. From Jamaica, Simone never played basketball growing up, but her athletic prowess as a track athlete caught the attention of college scouts. Her desire to help her community has led her to become the founder of Simone 4 Children which is helping to end poverty in her country. For more information about her visit: www.Simone4Children.org. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund visit: www.KayYow.com 

Obstacles are barriers and challenges that we all must climb. Lisa Thompson is a world class mountaineer that's not only climbed the mountain of cancer, but she's also climbed literal mountains. She not only climbed mountains before cancer, but she's also climbed mountains since she's been diagnosed.   Listen to this inspiring interview with Lisa Thompson and how she discusses using her experience as a mountaineer to battle cancer. To learn more about Lisa, visit www.LisaClimbs.com. To donate and help us save lives visit: www.KayYow.com 

Adriana Zelaya went from having her life endangered by cancer, to doctors not being sure if she would be able to run and jump to becoming a successful collegiate athlete at Monmouth University who is now a dental student at UNC-Chapel Hill. In this episode we discuss her journey through the hard things and how you can overcome the hard things in your life. For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and to donate please visit: www.KayYow.com

Christy Thomaskutty was a standout women's basketball player and a rising star in the coaching ranks when she was faced with her toughest opponent. And despite hearing the news that nobody wants to hear, all her competitive spirit and coaching mindset could think of was: "Next Play." Now Thomaskutty is a charismatic ESPN commentator and analyst still connected to the game she loves and kicking her life forward. Tune into this amazing episode of grit, perserverance, and candor with Christy Thomaskutty.

Danielle O'Banion is the head coach for the Women's Basketball Team at Loyola University in Maryland. She was a stand out basketball player at Boston College and is an amazing motivating presence. During her tenure at Kent State University she was diagnosed with cancer and still managed to coach through her treatment. Listen in and see how she discusses her journey through athletics and coaching and how she's letting life kick her forward!

Shannon Miller is a decorated Olympian, with 7 medals to her name, a member of 12 Halls of Fame, media personality, and many other great accomplishments in her life. In this interview we talk about her life before, during and after her diagnosis. Inside of all of that she discusses having a: Gold Medal Mindset no matter what you may be facing. We hope you enjoy!   Find out more about Shannon here: www.ShannonMiller.com For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and our amazing stories of hope please visit: www.KayYow.com

Welcome to the Kickin it Forward Podcast brought to you by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. This is the pilot episode that will give our listeners a glimpse into what the podcast will be like, how it will flow, and what they can expect. On this episode we interviewed Kay Yow Cancer Fund staff member Jenny Palmateer.   As always you can learn more about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund at www.KayYow.com. Please share subscribe and tune in as we will be interviewing more and more individuals with great stories of hope and inspiration!