Thriver Talks

On our continued quest to interview health experts with unique, integrative approaches to heal, we interview Dr George Xavier Love for Episode 26 of Thriver Talks. He is many incredible things but for today’s interview we focus on his mastery of Qi-Gong, an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique that involves meditation, controlled breathing and movement exercises. And best of all, you can do it in the comfort of your own home! George Love explains and even demonstrates Qi-Gong with his own unique twist that will make you wanna move. Be inspired to learn and implement new paths to healing. In this Episode you will learn: - about the anatomy of the body as it pertains to lymphatic drainage and energy flow - an introduction Qi Gong - the many health benefits of Qi Gong and it’s specific benefits for the prevention of breast cancer - Dr Love’s personal and unique twist to Qi Gong that will inspire you to keep on moving. - how to join Dr Love’s virtual online Qi-Gong courses To contact Dr George Love visit his website http://www.bluedragonqigong.org and follow him on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at @drqilove Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at http://www.thethriversguide.com

What are the odds that we find a former Hematologist and medical Oncologist turned board certified medical Acupuncturist to cover Traditional Chinese Medicine? Slim! But as per usual, we're here to defy the odds! Acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) are integrative tools that we both use regularly.  While we can share our personal experiences, we too had many questions about the function and history of acupuncture. For episode 25 of Thriver Talks we went straight to the source to interview Dr Shi-Hong Loh at Dao-Sheng Acupuncture in Hoboken NJ.  Dr Loh uses both his experience and expertise to  fill in the gap between western and Chinese medicine. In this new episode, Dr Loh takes us on his journey and transformation from western oncologist, to Chinese medicine practitioner and answers all of our questions about the many benefits of acupuncture. His Chinese medicine wisdom is so unique coupled with his oncology background. He is also a really good story teller, which is why we are honored and excited to share him with you on today's episode. In this episode you will learn: - Dr Loh’s unique credentials and background merging both East and West. - Personal testimonies and stories about the benefits of acupuncture - What acupuncture is and how it serves as a tool to thrive. - The 5 elements of TCM - Dr Loh’s perspective on spirituality, herbs and diet - The importance of psycho-immunotherapy  - That you are your greatest healer Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com To contact Dr Loh, visit http://www.dao-sheng.com/

Cancer is an ongoing learning process on self love through change. No one portrays this more beautifully than Kim Angell, our “unicorn status”

Today, we take Thriver Talks LIVE for our first ever Zoom meet up! This episode is all about the power of the Thriver community and what can happen when social media is used as a tool for connection, transparency, and relationship. In this episode, you'll LEARN: -How the global pandemic has influenced both our personal and patient life and what you can do to help -How we cope with uncertainty -Practical tips to thrive during quarantine life In this episode, you'll SEE: -The instant connection that happens between people who share a common, life changing experience -That joy is possible, even during times of great hardship -That a good community can carry you through even the most precarious of times Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who would benefit from this episode? Give it a share! Visit us at http://www.thethriversguide.com

Every single person in the world right now is in some way affected by the feelings of uncertainty and fear around the current global pandemic, COVID19. In addition to an underlying cancer diagnosis, this sudden panic can be an extra layer of stress and fear on top of what most of us are already going through, especially due to our suppressed immune systems from treatment and pre-existing conditions. Right when we thought things couldn't get worse, we have become part of that small percentage of people that are actually "at risk". Many Thrivers in the community have reached out to us wondering how we are dealing and managing, so what better topic for Episode 22! We're aware that there's more than enough information out there on how to cope and prevent the Corona Virus, but we hope to bring you a fresh new positive perspective as well as comfort and inspiration to help you take control of what you can and let go of what you can't so that you can put this self-isolation time into healing use. In this episode you will learn: - What we are both doing and taking to boost our immunity - The activities we have incorporated into our day to day and what we do to stay grounded - How to manage the fear around this pandemic Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

Breast cancer isn’t just breast cancer like we may have all once of thought prior to diagnosis. Now, thrust into the ‘world of cancer,’ we are aware of the different types of breast cancer, triple negative being the most rare. Because we are both ER+, we wanted to learn more about this diagnosis to educate ourselves and our community so we chose to interview our girl, Kelly Thomas. A triple negative breast cancer diagnosis packs a hard punch, but Kelly (@talkischeapxo) was determined not to stay down. Her transformation from a Stage 3C triple negative cancer diagnosis took some unexpected turns, yet turned her into the awe-inspiring Thriver she is today. She shows us that you can be both tough and lighthearted; both scared and brave; both the inspirer and the inspired. She is surely a thriver, through and through. In Episode 21, prepare to be encouraged and motivated by Kelly's contagious laugh, her honesty, and what can happen when you use what you have just where you are and surrender to the process. In this episode, you'll learn: -About triple negative breast cancer and what makes it different from other types of breast cancer -Kelly's remarkable story -Tools from Kelly on how she has stepped out of aggressive treatment and radically transformed herself -About Kelly’s commitment to the keto lifestyle and the tremendous results she’s experienced. -The incredible work she's currently doing with her "second chance at life" Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com Follow Kelly at https://www.instagram.com/talkischeapxo/ and if you are a TNBC thriver, join the community at https://www.instagram.com/tnbc_thrivers/ Other resources mentioned in episode: @tnbcfoundation @livingbeyondbc @radicalremission

It's here!...The long awaited "SEX-pisode". In episode 20 of Thriver Talks we break down needless barriers and discuss intimacy during and after treatment. We believe that the more questions we ask, the more access we have to answers; that we don't need to suffer alone; and that this community was created specifically for tough questions and vulnerable topics. Our guest, Dr. Rojas is not your typical oncological breast surgeon, founding the MUSIC Sex After Cancer program when she discovered how many of her patients were suffering from side affects influencing intimacy with their partner. In this episode, you will learn: - Our experiences with intimacy after diagnosis and treatment - Dr. Rojas's perspective on this enormous need in the thriver community and what she's doing about it - Resources and tactical tips to address the three most common intimacy concerns noted by patients RESOURCES: Single Ingredient Coconut Oil Hyalo Gyn Gel (Coupon Code: ProHydrate Bonafide Revaree Hyaluronic Acid Insert Good Clean Love Uberlube Quim Happy Clam Quim Night Moves Foria Wellness Awaken Arousal Oil Dip Sea Stories Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com Follow Dr Rojas at https://www.instagram.com/kristinrojasmd/ and her MUSIC Sex After Cancer Program: https://www.instagram.com/music_sexaftercancer/ Sexy audio stories & intimate guides: https://www.instagram.com/Dipseastories

Scanxiety and receiving results is by far one of the most stressful, draining, and trying experiences in the life of a Thriver. In fact, it's often more exhausting than treatment itself! We've had our fair share of scans and have developed some useful and practical coping skills that help us approach scans with a positive mindset, wait for results with a posture of assurance and receive the results empowered with an abundance of options. In Episode 19, we face the scanxiety monster head on, take back our power, and stand firmly in our truth: that healing is not linear, moving forward is an act of faith, gratitude reveals the light, and trusting in the process and resting along our journey opens us up to a beautiful and abundant blooming. In this episode you will learn: - Our experiences with scans to date (including an updates from both Steph and Nalie!) - Our pre and post scan practices - How we reconcile our raw emotional experience with our unrelenting hope and positivity - The best ways to support loved ones who are regularly scanned Subscribe, leave us a rating, and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen, too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

“What’s your faith? What religion are you?” These are loaded questions and certainly don’t have one word answers. In fact our belief system is rather difficult to articulate. What we can say with ease however, is that we know our faith is bigger and far more effective than any treatment we take, Eastern or Western. Just as we believe there are many paths to healing, we believe there are many paths to God, Source, Spirit, Universe, whatever you resonate with and in Episode 18 of Thriver Talks we explain our personal spiritual beliefs. If you are in a season where you need hope, meaning, and something to believe in, today’s episode is for you. We might not know all the answers, but we know for sure two things: that anything is possible and that there is something much bigger than ourselves that we trust in. Hear more about our faith, our signs, and everyday miracles on Episode 18. In this episode you will learn: - Our upbringing and family faith - How our faith has evolved - Our personal truths as to what religion means to us - What role faith plays on our journeys to healing and living with and beyond cancer Subscribe, leave us a rating and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

We all deserve and are worthy of love, even with cancer, even with stage 4 cancer! In Episode 17 of Thriver Talks we share our two very distinct love stories to give you hope that even with an ‘incurable’ diagnosis, love is very possible. If you’re single, in a relationship or just getting out of one, this episode is for you. In this episode you will learn: - Our personal love stories, prior to cancer and during - Love is very possible - Rejection is often times redirection - Self love is necessary to truly let love in - You are always worthy of love no matter your circumstances Subscribe, leave us a rating and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

On today’s episode of Thriver Talks, Nalie is joined by Erin Ripplinger (IG: @rippzie) from Utah who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer (HER2+) in 1999. At the time, she had an 18-month old baby girl and underwent treatments while pregnant with her son. Fast forward to today, she is an energetic Zumba Instructor, a passionate Flight attendant and is still cancer-free 21 years later. How did she do it? Find out in Episode 16 of Thriver Talks!

Induced menopause, hair loss, loss of a breast, mastectomy, weight gain and weight loss are some of what we have collectively experienced on our journeys with metastatic breast cancer. These physical changes not only wreak havoc on your body, they can wreak havoc on your mind and self image causing feelings of self doubt and unworthiness. We have struggled with these issues too and in Episode 15 of Thriver Talks we vulnerably discuss our own body image issues as a result of our diagnoses and ways we have shifted our thoughts and perspectives in order to love our resilient bodies that have carried us though so much turmoil. In this episode you will learn: - How cancer has affected our self images - What we have overcome and what we still struggle with - Tips on how to feel like the best version of you no matter where you are on your journey - How to love and have gratitude for your beautiful body Subscribe, leave us a rating and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

Can you have babies? Do you want to have children of your own one day? Any plans to start a family? Have you considered adoption? Will you have to have a surrogate? These are some of the many questions we have had to ask ourselves when it comes to fertility and being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. In this episode we answer all of those questions and recall our own journeys with egg preservation. This topic isn’t always addressed when you or someone you know and love receives a cancer diagnosis so we wanted to bring some much needed awareness to this issue. We believe that no matter what stage or diagnosis you may have, you have a right to know and explore your options when it comes to motherhood and fertility. We hope that by sharing our journeys in this episode you are inspired to ask the right questions and seek more information about your own. In this episode you will learn: - How there is a lack of awareness and information when it comes to being informed about fertility and egg freezing - Nalie and Stephanie's personal journeys with egg freezing - Our hopes and dreams for the future - How there are many beautiful paths to Motherhood - How By being your own advocate you can ensure your ability and rights to have children. Subscribe, leave us a rating and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

Starting chemotherapy for the first time or trying a drug that is newly FDA approved is scary! We get it! You may be worried and have no one who could relate, but more than likely, we totally could. Whether you’re newly diagnosed and about to start treatment for the very first time, or if you have been on your journey and are changing treatment plans because your current one isn’t the best fit, this is the episode for you! Collectively we have been on so many different drugs over the years and in Episode 13 of Thriver Talks we will let you in on all the drugs we have taken (which is a lot!) and the side effects we experienced (or didn’t), through a misdiagnosis and a recurrence while sharing our raw recollections and experiences. In this episode you will learn: About all of the drugs we have been on with 15 years of collective experience What drugs worked for us and the ones that did not A little insight on how we responded and are responding to older and newer drugs and treatments specific to our diagnoses Our vision of our treatment plan for metastatic breast cancer in the future We hope it brings you or someone you love the hope, inspiration and comfort needed. Subscribe, leave us a rating and review! Know a Thriver or someone who could benefit from this episode? Share this episode with them so they can listen too! Visit us at www.thethriversguide.com

We wanted to set off the new year by addressing a very important topic. Hands down the number one question we get asked by those seeking inspiration and healing tips, is how we cope with fear despite metastatic breast cancer diagnoses. This is a tough topic, because truth is, we still struggle with fear like everyone else. We are not fearless, nor is that the goal, but we believe in working to get to a place where you ‘fear less’ in order to thrive and live beyond your diagnosis or circumstances. When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, a health challenge or adversity, facing and addressing your fears, as uncomfortable and as frightening as it may be, can lead to freedom and true healing. In Episode 12 of Thriver Talks we open up and share our deepest fears and also discuss the oh so familiar “scanxiety.” What perfect time to share ways in which we manage our fears and “fear less”, so that you can incorporate them in your healing practices and routine as we kick off the new year. In this episode you will learn: - Our personal fears - Ways in which we cope with “scanxiety” - Practices we have implemented to reduce our fears and anxiety - How to thrive and live beyond the limitations of fear

Happy New Year Thrivers! Next week marks the beginning of not just a new year, but a new decade! Around this time of the year we feel a sudden pressure to create a list of New Year’s resolutions which are generally short lived. When February rolls around and we haven’t stuck to our resolutions we can feel a sense of shame or guilt. Rather than set resolutions for the new decade, in episode 11 of Thriver Talks we are going to tell you how to set intentions. Setting intentions focuses less on goals and more on our personal journeys and committing to what we want to see manifest in our lives. Intentions give us direction and meaning and allow for tweaking and adjusting. We will share with you how to plant seeds of intention for the new year and how to nurture them in order to see your dreams manifest! In this episode you will learn: - Our biggest takeaways from this past year and past decade - How to set intentions as opposed to resolutions - How to make vision boards - How to declutter your space and make room for what’s to come in the new year - How to create rituals that become everyday habits Visit the www.thethriversguide.com

For our first Thriver Talks Interview, Nalie had the opportunity to sit with Chaunte Lowe, a 4x Olympian, Olympic Medalist, Speaker, American Record Holder, Mom of 3 and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Thriver! Nalie and Chaunte had the honour to share the stage at Facebook and Instagram Headquarters in San Francisco, addressing the topic of Resilience. Despite undergoing treatments for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Chaunte is still training to compete in the 2020 Olympics while raising 3 children. She is truly the embodiment of resilience and proof, that all is possible if you truly believe. In this episode, your will learn: - What it takes to be an Olympian - Advice for mothers with breast cancer and big dreams - Her top 3 tips as an American Record Holder and Cancer Thriver on how to bounce back from adversity - Chaunte Lowe’s definition of a Thriver So if you or someone you love is feeling low, Chaunte Lowe’s interview is a definite pick-me-up! Follow Chaunte on Instagram at @chauntelowe Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review Thriver Talks and share this episode with a Thriver in need. Visit www.thethriversguide.com to get the latest on our book The Thriver’s Guide launching soon

Much like yourself or anyone diagnosed with cancer, we were hungry for hope and hungry for information. One of the first things we did was read. We consumed anything that would provide us the hope we so desperately needed. Some books were recommended to us and others we discovered ourselves, but they all helped us tremendously, so we wanted to pass some along to you in hopes they do the same! We have read countless books over the years, and it was a bit hard to narrow down to 5. There are so many good ones! But, in today’s episode of Thriver Talks, we will break down our top 5 recommendations to help you thrive and why. These 5 books are guaranteed to make a positive impact on your journey and we believe they should be in anyone’s library or Kindle who has been affected by cancer. And what better gift ideas with the holidays quickly approaching than to equip yourself or someone you love with hope, valuable information and inspiration. We hope these books inspire you as they have inspired us. In the meantime, we continue to co-author The Thriver’s Guide which will certainly add to your library of inspiration in the near future. Stay tuned!

We’re not big on labels because honestly, labels can be limiting and can even cause division. And let’s face it, in the cancer community there are so many of them. Some people really identify and relate to certain labels and that’s all good, as long as they make you feel empowered. But the one term that is all encompassing, and above all empowering and inspiring, is ’Thriver.’ We believe a Thriver is one who perseveres and breaks through barriers and limitations. A Thriver is one who chooses optimism and positivity no matter their circumstances and is not defined by their adversities. And we believe that we are all Thrivers, (cancer no cancer) thriving through whatever challenges life presents us with. In this new Episode of Thriver Talks, join us as we examine and define who a Thriver is and what it truly means to Thrive! In this episode you will learn: - That Stephanie is super awk on camera (lol) joking - What the true definition of a Thriver is - How one can truly Thrive and live beyond their adversity or cancer diagnosis Subscribe and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast! Check us out at www.thethriversguide.com

As patients, we often forget that we are responsible for creating our team of healthcare physicians and integrative therapists who will walk the journey with us. We sometimes forfeit our power because of fear and desperation. We get it! We’ve been there too. But through the years of navigating our journeys, we have come to realize that there’s usually time for second opinions, and that choosing the right team players to create your ultimate ‘Dream Team’ is one of the most important steps to healing and thriving! In this episode of Thriver Talks we are here to empower you and remind you that you are the CEO of your health! You get to hire, fire and replace or add to your team whenever you feel it’s necessary. As uncomfortable as it may seem, these decisions can be life changing and even life saving and we will explain why while giving you some great tips to becoming the CEO of your health to create your personal Dream Team in Episode 11. In this Episode you will learn: - Why is it important to be the CEO of your health. - The experiences that led us to become the CEO’s of our health - Tips on how to build your personal Dream Team to Thrive - Who is currently on our Dream Team

In today's episode of Thriver Talks we complete our Part 2 series of Integrative Therapies that help us thrive! Listen and be inspired as we scratch the surface and introduce you to the practices that we have implemented into our daily routines and busy lives that we believe have played a tremendous part in our healing. We know that in order to truly thrive and heal we must take a multi-faceted approach in order to address mind body and spirit. From yoga to reiki to myofascial release among others, energy medicine is real and we can attest to the many benefits which we will share in this Thriver Talks episode. In this episode you will learn about: * Meditation and Visualization * Reiki * Yoga * Myofascial Release * Acupuncture * Exercise / Movement Don't forget to rate & review us this podcast platform and please check us out at www.thethriversguide.com

When you’re faced with an “incurable” cancer diagnosis, you have two choices. One, to accept the fact that there are a limited amount of treatments to prolong your life starting with the ones that give you the best quality of life, ending with “sorry we’ve ran out of options”. Or two, you can research ancient Chinese Medicine that has been used for centuries, explore natural remedies, discover what others have implemented in their lifestyle to beat the odds and travel to the far ends of the world to save your life because deep down inside, you know can! The latter is the Thriver’s Way! In this episode, we reveal every alternative and complementary therapy that has served us on our healing journey! Since we’ve tried A LOT, we will separate this episode into 2 parts. 1. What we ingest/consume 2. What we practice In part 1 of this episode, you will learn about: - Chinese Herbs - The list of supplements we take - The teas we drink - How we get it, where we get it and why we choose to consume it. Found this helpful? Share it with a Thriver in need. Subscribe! Rate! Review! Stay tuned for Part 2. Visit www.thethriversguide.com and sign up for our newsletters to be the first to know when our book is out!

People always want to know what our diets consist of, it’s one of the most common questions we receive. So in episode 4 of Thriver Talks, we wanted to give you some clarity and insight into the choices we have made when it comes to diet and what we believe has worked for us on our healing journeys. We believe that what we consume is just as important as the treatment we take and we discuss our ‘why’s’ in this informative episode. In this episode you will learn: - What our diets consist of and why we believe they serve us on our paths to healing - About the various diets we have tried (vegan, keto, vegetarian etc) - The importance of eliminating certain foods while incorporating others for optimal health

In this episode we explain what metastatic breast cancer is, and what it means to live with MBC. Metastatic breast cancer is very different from all other stages of breast cancer and we dive into the common misconceptions about our unique, shared diagnosis. People with MBC often feel misunderstood and isolated and by sharing our perspectives and experiences we aim to offer hope to anyone affected by MBC as well as show others how they can better support those living with a metastatic diagnosis. In this episode you will learn: - What it means to have metastatic breast cancer - The common misconceptions that come with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. - How you can better support those living with MBC the most impactful way to donate for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It’s October, otherwise known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month which can be bittersweet if you have been affected by breast cancer. We’re grateful for the awareness and funds being raised in the name of research, but the infinite pink ribbons could be a constant daunting reminder of your current or past diagnosis. We totally get the mixed emotions, but we believe it is our purpose to take advantage of this month where all eyes and ears are on our cause, and make some noise, educate and raise some awareness for all of us! In this episode of Thriver Talks, we discuss our recent ‘Savage X Fenty Thrivers’ campaign!... How it came to be, the behind the scenes and the purpose and mission of the campaign. For the very first time we feel that we were able to represent metastatic breast cancer thrivers and present it to the world in a way that exposes the unfamiliarity of the diagnosis. We received so much love which we are grateful for, but there’s always some negative feedback, and we address this feedback in our episode in the hopes of shedding light, educating, and clarifying. In this episode you will learn: - All about the Savage X Fenty Thrivers Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign - What metastatic breast cancer can look like - What Breast Cancer Awareness means to us

We are two young women, whose lives took an unforeseen turn, both diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at a young age. We are defying odds and have made it our life mission and purpose to spread our message of hope and the ability to thrive despite even the worst of circumstances. Currently co-authoring The Thrivers Guide where we are writing about healing and living your best life with and beyond cancer, we acknowledged the necessity to get some important messages out to the world prior to the release of our book. Thus, Thriver Talks is born! Our goal is to shed light on issues that are overlooked, bring awareness to the masses, inspire and give hope to those in need and play our role in putting an end to cancer for all. In our very first podcast, we wanted to tell you our unique stories in our own voices, in our own authentic way so you could become familiar with our individual journeys as Thriver Talks unfolds. We look forward to taking this journey with you! In this episode you will learn: * The stories of Nalie Agustin and Stephanie Seban * How we met * Why being your own best advocate can be life changing and even life saving * There is always hope no matter what the statistics say!