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What happens when you find a lump at 38 weeks pregnant and doctors tell you it's probably nothing? For Mandy Geyman, it turned out to be stage three inflammatory breast cancer. Diagnosed at 31 while carrying her second child during COVID, Mandy's story is one of impossible decisions, dark humor, and fierce survival. In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, sit down with Mandy Geyman, founder of @WarriorMamaMandy on Instagram, to talk about pregnancy and breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer warning signs, chemotherapy while pregnant, genetic testing, the guilt of being a pregnant cancer patient, and how humor became her lifeline. Mandy shares how a pinkish discoloration and orange peel texture on her breast led to weeks of misdiagnosis as mastitis before a vigilant nurse caught what others missed. She explains the difference between inflammatory breast cancer and typical breast cancer, why there's often no lump, and how quickly this aggressive cancer can spread. The conversation explores the fear and uncertainty of starting chemotherapy while pregnant, the decision to do chemo every two weeks instead of three, and why pregnant people may actually tolerate chemo better than non pregnant patients. Mandy also discusses the emotional weight of wondering if cancer cells could pass to her baby, navigating a high risk pregnancy during a pandemic, and giving birth just 18 days before her mastectomy. Chris and Jenni dig into the mental load of being a pregnant cancer patient, the guilt of putting treatment before pregnancy, and the impossible task of caring for a three year old going through autism testing while fighting for your own life. Mandy also opens up about her BRCA2 positive genetic test results, the decision to test her young daughters, and what it means to carry that knowledge forward. The episode takes a turn into the power and pitfalls of sharing your cancer story on social media. Mandy talks about why she started posting, how humor helped her survive, and the unexpected criticism from someone close to her who accused her of seeking attention. Chris and Jenni validate the healing power of storytelling and community, especially for young breast cancer survivors who feel isolated and alone. Five years out from diagnosis, Mandy reflects on what gives her hope, why hearing from long term survivors matters, and how her husband is writing a book for caregivers who feel forgotten during treatment. If you're navigating breast cancer during pregnancy, inflammatory breast cancer, genetic testing, or simply trying to find your people, this episode is for you. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ Warning signs of inflammatory breast cancer and why there's often no lump ✅ How pregnancy and breast cancer collide and what treatment looks like ✅ The difference between mastitis and inflammatory breast cancer ✅ Chemotherapy while pregnant and why pregnant patients may tolerate it better ✅ The emotional weight of being a pregnant cancer patient ✅ BRCA testing, genetic results, and testing young children ✅ How to navigate criticism when sharing your cancer story on social media ✅ Why humor can be a survival tool during treatment ✅ Finding hope five years out from diagnosis ✅ Resources for pregnant cancer patients ABOUT MANDY GEYMAN Mandy Guyman is a breast cancer survivor, mom of two, and the voice behind @WarriorMamaMandy on Instagram. Diagnosed with stage three inflammatory breast cancer at 31 while pregnant during COVID, Mandy uses humor, honesty, and storytelling to connect with other survivors and share hope. She is BRCA2 positive and an advocate for genetic testing and early detection. Follow her on Instagram at @WarriorMamaMandy. RESOURCES MENTIONED Dr. Elyce Cardonick, high risk OBGYN and oncologist specializing in cancer and pregnancy (New Jersey) Registry for pregnant cancer patients Chemo Hates Kisses (children's book about cancer) Neulasta during pregnancy ABOUT BOOBALICIOUS Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond is a breast cancer podcast for women navigating breast cancer treatment, recovery, and long term survivorship. Hosted by breast cancer survivor Chris Kushner and physical therapist and breast cancer rehabilitation specialist Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, Boobalicious combines lived experience with professional insight to talk about the things that don't always get enough attention during and after breast cancer treatment. We talk about breast cancer recovery, mastectomy recovery, lymphedema after breast cancer, menopause after breast cancer, exercise after breast cancer treatment, mental health, survivorship, and life after breast cancer. Subscribe for honest conversations about what happens during breast cancer treatment and what happens when treatment ends but you still don't quite feel like yourself.

What if the final step of breast cancer reconstruction could help you feel whole again? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, sit down with Crystal Yang and Courtney Delgado, the founders of Perky, a clinic providing medical grade aesthetic services including 3D nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors. They discuss the healing power of nipple tattooing, the emotional impact of seeing yourself whole again, and why this final step of reconstruction often gets overlooked. Crystal and Courtney share how they transitioned from working in a breast reconstructive nursing clinic to becoming specialized 3D nipple tattoo artists. They explain the problem with nipple tattoos done in doctor's offices, why they wanted to create a dedicated, safe space for this service, and how proper training and technique can produce stunningly realistic results. The conversation explores the emotional moment when survivors look in the mirror and see color and dimension where there was once flatness and absence. Chris, Jenni, Crystal, and Courtney discuss why that visual completion can be profoundly healing and how it helps women reconnect with their bodies after mastectomy and reconstruction. They compare surgical nipple reconstruction versus 3D nipple tattoos, discussing projection, symmetry, scarring, sensation, and why many women choose tattooing over an additional surgery. The group also addresses how to tattoo over radiated skin, the importance of skin care and massage before tattooing, and what to expect during the procedure and touch up process. Jenni shares insight on the mind body connection after mastectomy, and Crystal and Courtney emphasize the importance of touching your breast to help your brain reconnect with your new body. They also discuss the surgeon's God complex, being told to be grateful, and why patient preferences sometimes get lost in the reconstruction process. The episode covers temporary nipple tattoos, a try before you commit option that Perky created in house with 12 different styles and color tones. Crystal and Courtney explain how these temporary tattoos can help women test how a nipple will make them feel, whether they're in the middle of treatment, waiting for radiation to finish, or simply unsure if permanent tattooing is right for them. Beyond nipples, Perky offers 3D eyebrows, scar camouflage, stretch mark camouflage, radiation marker tattoos, and 3D belly button restoration. The conversation touches on keloiding, who is a good candidate for tattooing, and how these services help survivors feel more like themselves. Crystal and Courtney break down insurance coverage for nipple tattooing, explaining that the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act requires insurance to cover the service nationally, but loopholes often prevent reimbursement. They share the resources they've created to help women navigate insurance, file for reimbursement, and appeal denials. The episode closes with a discussion of hope, community, and vulnerability in survivorship. Crystal and Courtney share details about The Third Nipple Campaign, a creative October fundraiser using temporary tattoos to spread awareness and raise money for the Perky Restoration Grant Program, which provides free nipple tattooing, scar camouflage, eyebrows, and nurse coaching to breast cancer survivors in need. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ How 3D nipple tattoos complete breast reconstruction ✅ The emotional impact of seeing yourself whole again ✅ Why nipple tattoos done in doctor's offices are often subpar ✅ Surgical nipple reconstruction vs 3D nipple tattoos ✅ How to reconnect mind and body after mastectomy ✅ Why touching your breast helps your brain adjust to your new body ✅ The surgeon's God complex and being told to be grateful ✅ How to tattoo over radiated skin ✅ Skin care and massage tips before nipple tattooing ✅ Temporary nipple tattoos and how to try before you commit ✅ Beyond nipples: eyebrows, scars, stretch marks, radiation markers, belly buttons ✅ Keloiding and who is a good candidate for tattooing ✅ Insurance coverage: the law vs the loopholes ✅ What to expect during the procedure and touch ups ✅ The Third Nipple Campaign and Perky Restoration Grant Program ABOUT CRYSTAL YANG AND COURTNEY DELGADO Crystal Yang and Courtney Delgado are the founders of Perky, a San Antonio based clinic providing medical grade aesthetic services to women affected by breast cancer. With backgrounds in breast reconstructive nursing, Crystal and Courtney specialize in 3D nipple tattoos, eyebrow tattooing, scar camouflage, and other restorative services. They are passionate about creating a safe, dedicated space for survivors and helping women feel whole again. Learn more at helloperky.com or follow them on Instagram @weareperky. RESOURCES MENTIONED Perky website: helloperky.com Instagram: @weareperky Perky Restoration Grant Program (through Pink Warrior Advocates) The Third Nipple Campaign...

Writing Through Breast Cancer: The Healing Power of Telling Your Story What if the most powerful part of your breast cancer story isn’t what’s in your medical file—but what never made it onto the page? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, sit down with April Stearns, founder of Wildfire Magazine, and Dawn Amodeo, a Wildfire contributor, to explore the healing power of writing through breast cancer, processing trauma, and telling the stories that don’t fit neatly into treatment plans. After her 2012 breast cancer diagnosis, April went searching for stories that went beyond diagnosis details and treatment timelines. She wanted the real, raw, messy experience of living with and after breast cancer. When she couldn’t find it, she created it. Wildfire Magazine became a publication and writing community where people affected by breast cancer could tell their whole stories—not just the medical ones. Dawn shares her journey from being Jenni’s physical therapy patient after her mastectomy to participating in Wildfire’s writing workshops. She explains how writing helped her process trauma, quiet the noise surrounding her cancer experience, and uncover parts of her story that still needed healing. The conversation explores research on expressive writing and trauma, including the work of psychologist Dr. James Pennebaker, and why writing can be a powerful tool for emotional processing and mental health. April encourages survivors to explore “the story before the story”—the relationships, body image struggles, beliefs, fears, and experiences that existed before cancer. The group also tackles subjects often left out of traditional breast cancer survivor stories: death, sex, intimacy, money, medical menopause, marriage, and the complicated emotions of life after breast cancer treatment. Dawn reads an excerpt from her published piece, “The Morning of My Mastectomy,” taking listeners inside the hour before surgery—from affirmations and fear to a nurse holding her hand and the surgeon marking her chest. It’s an intimate look at a moment a medical record could never fully capture. April also shares practical writing prompts, including “What My Medical File Won’t Tell You,” and explains how focusing on small moments, decisions, and realizations can help survivors discover what they need to write—and perhaps heal. The episode closes with reflections on hope and breast cancer survivorship. April shares dropping her daughter off at college 11 years after diagnosis, while Dawn reflects on still being here nine years later—living with metastatic breast cancer, conquering fears, finding joy, and continuing to write her story. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ✅ How Wildfire Magazine became a storytelling community for breast cancer survivors ✅ The science behind writing as a tool for processing trauma ✅ Why your breast cancer story is more than your medical file ✅ Why survivors need space to talk about death, sex, money, intimacy, and body image ✅ How writing workshops create safe spaces for vulnerable storytelling ✅ Writing prompts for processing your cancer experience ✅ Why “the story before the story” matters ✅ Finding hope in life after breast cancer ABOUT APRIL STEARNS April Stearns is the founder of Wildfire Magazine, a publication and community dedicated to storytelling for people affected by breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2012, April created Wildfire to make space for the real, complex stories of cancer and survivorship. ABOUT DAWN AMODEO Dawn Amodeo is a writer, breast cancer survivor, and Wildfire contributor. Dawn is living with metastatic breast cancer and continues to share her story while embracing life, challenging fears, and finding joy. ABOUT BOOBALICIOUS Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond is a breast cancer podcast for women navigating breast cancer treatment, recovery, and long-term survivorship. Hosted by breast cancer survivor Chris Kushner and physical therapist Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, Boobalicious brings lived experience and expert insight to honest conversations about life after breast cancer.

What happens when you find community that doesn't just understand your diagnosis, but sees you as a whole person? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, sit down with Yahira Torres, founder of Lioness Retreat, and Staci Tantum, known as @Metastaci, to talk about breast cancer retreats, the power of in-person community, and why finding your people can be just as healing as any medical treatment. Yahira shares how she was diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic in September 2020 and turned to social media to find others who looked like her. Isolated and overwhelmed by medical jargon, she realized she was getting more support from online community than from her own medical team. That's when she decided to create Lioness Retreat, a small, intimate retreat for breast cancer survivors that prioritizes healing, empowerment, and connection. The Lioness Retreat is not your typical cancer event. Every year, Yahira and her team carefully select 20 women through a thoughtful application and interview process, cultivating a group that will bond, support each other, and grow together. The weekend includes professional photo shoots, makeup sessions, art projects where participants create collages for each other, and deep conversations about life after breast cancer. Staci opens up about her own journey with breast cancer, her metastatic diagnosis, and how attending Camp Breasties and Lioness Retreat changed her life. She talks about leaving an unhappy marriage, learning to show up for herself, and discovering that cancer community isn't just about medical advice—it's about learning to live again. Chris and Jenni explore the emotional safety that Lioness Retreat creates, how these retreats differ from traditional support groups, and why women struggle to prioritize themselves. Yahira discusses the importance of diversity in her retreat groups, the challenges of body image after multiple surgeries, and how she uses fashion and self-acceptance to navigate constant physical changes. The conversation also touches on dating after cancer, the power of sharing your story on social media, and why saying yes to community can open doors you didn't know existed. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ How Lioness Retreat selects participants and creates intimate, healing experiences ✅ Why breast cancer community can be more supportive than traditional support groups ✅ How attending retreats and summits can transform life after breast cancer ✅ The emotional and physical challenges of adjusting to body changes after mastectomy and reconstruction ✅ How to find breast cancer retreats and community events ✅ Why showing up for yourself matters, even when it feels hard ✅ How social media can be a tool for connection and healing ✅ The difference between toxic positivity and authentic storytelling ✅ Resources for breast cancer survivors looking for community ABOUT YAHIRA TORRES Yahira Torres is the founder of Lioness Retreat, an intimate, empowering retreat for breast cancer survivors. Diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic in 2020, Yahaira turned to social media to find community and realized how powerful in-person connection could be. She created Lioness Retreat to bring survivors together in small, carefully curated groups where healing, empowerment, and community are at the center. Follow Yahaira on Instagram at @breastcancer_chingona and learn more about Lioness Retreat at @lion_ess_retreat. ABOUT STACi TANTUM (@METASTACI) Staci is a stage IV Thriver aka MBC baddie! Living her most authentic life, she is surrounded by family, friends, community, and her pup, Cato. She works in nonprofit writing grants and running out-of-school time programs. She expresses herself through writing and poetry, and Staci loves advocating for visibility and metastatic breast cancer research funding. When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find her traveling or shopping.  Find her on socials @Metastaci. RESOURCES MENTIONED Lioness Retreat Info/ Donate: www.prideretreat.org TheBreasties.org youngsurvival.org Breastofus.com MarysPlaceByTheSea.org (Ocean Grove, New Jersey) Diagnosis Anonymous (Chris Kushner's mentorship platform for newly diagnosed cancer patients) ABOUT BOOBALICIOUS Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond is a breast cancer podcast for women navigating breast cancer treatment, recovery, and long-term survivorship. Hosted by breast cancer survivor Chris Kushner and physical therapist and breast cancer rehabilitation specialist Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, Boobalicious combines lived experience with professional insight to talk about the things that don't always get enough attention during and after breast cancer treatment. We talk about breast cancer recovery, mastectomy recovery, lymphedema after breast cancer, menopause after breast cancer, exercise after breast cancer treatment, mental health, survivorship, and...

What happens when menopause symptoms aren't just temporary—but a lifelong reality that no one prepared you for? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, sit down with Dr. Christy Thoser, founder of Corla Health, to talk about menopause after breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy, and the treatment options many women don't know exist. Chris and Jenni share their own experiences with menopause symptoms—brain zaps, heart palpitations, frozen shoulder, anxiety, high cholesterol—and the surprising revelation that menopause doesn't last a year. It lasts the rest of your life. And the symptoms you're white-knuckling through? There are solutions. Dr. Thoser explains why so many women struggle to get answers about menopause, especially after breast cancer treatment. She discusses the gap in menopause training for OBGYNs, why oncologists often refer patients elsewhere, and how women end up navigating a system that wasn't designed to support them. The conversation covers hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, joint pain, vaginal dryness, bone density loss, cardiovascular risk, and mental health changes during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Thoser walks through both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options, including medications like gabapentin and SSRIs, supplements like magnesium glycinate and vitamin E, and when hormone replacement therapy may still be an option after breast cancer. If you've been told to just deal with menopause symptoms, or if you're unsure whether hormone therapy is safe after breast cancer, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical next steps. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ Why menopause symptoms can last far longer than one year ✅ The difference between natural menopause and medically induced menopause ✅ Why symptoms can be more severe after breast cancer treatment ✅ Non-hormonal treatment options for hot flashes, brain fog, and night sweats ✅ How SSRIs, gabapentin, and supplements can help manage menopause symptoms ✅ Whether hormone replacement therapy is safe after breast cancer ✅ Why OBGYNs often lack menopause training ✅ How to find a menopause specialist through The Menopause Society ✅ Why estrogen loss affects heart health, bone density, cholesterol, and mental health ✅ What brain zaps, frozen shoulder, heart palpitations, and itchy skin have to do with menopause ABOUT DR. CHRISTY THOSER Dr. Christy Thoser is the founder of Corla Health, a menopause care practice specializing in hormone replacement therapy and menopause management for women who have had breast cancer. After years in general OBGYN practice, Dr. Thoser recognized the massive gap in menopause care and created Corla Health to provide individualized, evidence-based treatment for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and life after breast cancer treatment. Corla Health offers personalized menopause care for California residents and medical advisory services for women outside California. New patients can begin their care plan at no cost. Learn more at CorlaHealth.com RESOURCES MENTIONED The Menopause Society provider directory Magnesium glycinate for sleep and menopause symptoms Gabapentin for hot flashes SSRIs for menopause symptoms (with considerations for Tamoxifen) ABOUT BOOBALICIOUS Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond is a breast cancer podcast for women navigating breast cancer treatment, recovery, and long-term survivorship. Hosted by breast cancer survivor Chris Kushner and physical therapist and breast cancer rehabilitation specialist Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, Boobalicious combines lived experience with professional insight to talk about the things that don't always get enough attention during and after breast cancer treatment. We talk about breast cancer recovery, mastectomy recovery, lymphedema after breast cancer, menopause after breast cancer, exercise after breast cancer treatment, mental health, survivorship, and life after breast cancer. Subscribe for honest conversations about what happens during breast cancer treatment—and what happens when treatment ends but you still don't quite feel like yourself. KEYWORDS menopause after breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy after breast cancer, menopause symptoms, breast cancer survivorship, life after breast cancer, menopause treatment options, hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, menopause specialist, perimenopause, medically induced menopause, breast cancer podcast, breast cancer recovery, non-hormonal menopause treatment HASHTAGS #MenopauseAfterBreastCancer #BreastCancerSurvivorship #HormoneReplacementTherapy #MenopauseSupport #LifeAfterBreastCancer #BreastCancerPodcast #BoobaliciousPodcast Boobalicious conversations are based on personal experience and professional insight and are not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor or licensed healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice

Coming Home to Your Body: Breast Cancer Recovery, Letting Go & the Illusion of Control | Natasha Ramlall What happens when your body finally forces you to pay attention? For many women navigating breast cancer recovery, chronic pain, menopause, or other major health changes, the body can begin to feel like something to manage, fix, or even fear. But what if healing also means learning how to listen to it again? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, speak with Natasha Ramlall, founder of Humanist Coaching and an embodied integration coach, about reconnecting with the body, breaking generational patterns, and letting go of the illusion that we can control everything that happens to us. Natasha shares how endometriosis and chronic back pain eventually forced her to stop pushing through physical symptoms and start paying attention to what her body was telling her. Her experience led her to embodied integration—the practice of connecting our thinking mind with our physical sensations, emotions, survival patterns, and spiritual lives. The conversation also explores the messages women inherit from their families: work harder, suck it up, keep going, don't complain. Natasha and Chris discuss how those survival strategies may have served previous generations while no longer serving us—and what it looks like to choose which patterns we want to carry forward. For Chris, breast cancer brought another realization: you can make the “right” choices and still receive a diagnosis you never expected. That loss of control can be terrifying, but it can also change the way we approach fear, parenting, our bodies, and life after breast cancer treatment. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN ✅ What “embodied integration” means and how it can help us reconnect with our bodies ✅ Why women often learn to ignore physical and emotional signals and simply push through ✅ How family and generational patterns influence the way we respond to pain, stress, and illness ✅ Why a major health diagnosis can challenge our illusion of control ✅ How letting go can affect fear, parenting, relationships, and breast cancer survivorship ✅ Why spirituality or faith can become an important anchor when certainty disappears TIMESTAMPS ~05:13 When the body “levels up” after years of ignored symptoms ~18:16 “They are just passing through”—parenting and learning to let go ~19:45 Chris shares her son’s surprisingly wise perspective on worrying ~22:02 The illusion of control and what a health crisis can teach us KEY TAKEAWAYS 🔹 Our bodies often communicate long before we are ready—or able—to listen. 🔹 Many women have inherited a “suck it up and push through” mentality that once served a purpose but may not serve them now. 🔹 Breaking generational patterns does not require rejecting the people who came before us. We can appreciate what helped them survive while choosing something different for ourselves. 🔹 A health crisis can disrupt the belief that if we do everything “right,” we can control what happens to us. 🔹 Breast cancer survivorship can involve more than physical recovery. Life after breast cancer treatment may also mean rebuilding trust in your body and learning how to live with uncertainty. 🔹 Letting go of control does not mean giving up. It can mean recognizing what is actually ours to control—and releasing what isn't. ABOUT NATASHA RAMLALL Natasha Ramlall works with high-functioning, capable women who feel the ground cracking beneath them after a difficult life transition or an awakening to a mismatched life. As an Embodied Integration Coach, she guides you back into a deeper experience of your human-ness to heal, expand and evolve from an Identity Rupture and navigate the space between who you were and who you are becoming. *Exclusive Offer to Podcast Listeners! RESOURCES AND LINKS Humanist Coaching Free Guided Audio (from Natasha!) Follow Natasha (@freestyle_dance_alchemy) Follow Boobalicious (@boobaliciouspod) WeAreBoobalicious.com The conversations on Boobalicious are based on personal experience and professional insight and are not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor or licensed healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. SEO Keywords: breast cancer recovery, breast cancer survivorship, life after breast cancer, life after breast cancer treatment, breast cancer podcast for women, breast cancer survivor, breast cancer support, breast cancer wellness, reconnecting with your body, mind-body connection, embodied integration, chronic pain, generational patterns, fear after breast cancer, breast cancer survivor stories Hashtags: #BreastCancerRecovery #BreastCancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSurvivorship #LifeAfterBreastCancer #BreastCancerSupport #BreastCancerPodcast #MindBodyConnection #WomensHealth #BoobaliciousPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming Home to Your Body: Breast Cancer Recovery, Letting Go & the Illusion of Control | Natasha Ramlall What happens when your body finally forces you to pay attention? For many women navigating breast cancer recovery, chronic pain, menopause, or other major health changes, the body can begin to feel like something to manage, fix, or even fear. But what if healing also means learning how to listen to it again? In this episode of Boobalicious: Breast Cancer and Beyond, hosts Chris Kushner and Jenni Rai, PT, CLT, speak with Natasha Ramlall, founder of Humanist Coaching and an embodied integration coach, about reconnecting with the body, breaking generational patterns, and letting go of the illusion that we can control everything that happens to us. Natasha shares how endometriosis and chronic back pain eventually forced her to stop pushing through physical symptoms and start paying attention to what her body was telling her. Her experience led her to embodied integration—the practice of connecting our thinking mind with our physical sensations, emotions, survival patterns, and spiritual lives. The conversation also explores the messages women inherit from their families: work harder, suck it up, keep going, don't complain. Natasha and Chris discuss how those survival strategies may have served previous generations while no longer serving us—and what it looks like to choose which patterns we want to carry forward. For Chris, breast cancer brought another realization: you can make the “right” choices and still receive a diagnosis you never expected. That loss of control can be terrifying, but it can also change the way we approach fear, parenting, our bodies, and life after breast cancer treatment. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN ✅ What “embodied integration” means and how it can help us reconnect with our bodies✅ Why women often learn to ignore physical and emotional signals and simply push through✅ How family and generational patterns influence the way we respond to pain, stress, and illness✅ Why a major health diagnosis can challenge our illusion of control✅ How letting go can affect fear, parenting, relationships, and breast cancer survivorship✅ Why spirituality or faith can become an important anchor when certainty disappears TIMESTAMPS ~05:13 When the body “levels up” after years of ignored symptoms~18:16 “They are just passing through”—parenting and learning to let go~19:45 Chris shares her son’s surprisingly wise perspective on worrying~22:02 The illusion of control and what a health crisis can teach us KEY TAKEAWAYS 🔹 Our bodies often communicate long before we are ready—or able—to listen. 🔹 Many women have inherited a “suck it up and push through” mentality that once served a purpose but may not serve them now. 🔹 Breaking generational patterns does not require rejecting the people who came before us. We can appreciate what helped them survive while choosing something different for ourselves. 🔹 A health crisis can disrupt the belief that if we do everything “right,” we can control what happens to us. 🔹 Breast cancer survivorship can involve more than physical recovery. Life after breast cancer treatment may also mean rebuilding trust in your body and learning how to live with uncertainty. 🔹 Letting go of control does not mean giving up. It can mean recognizing what is actually ours to control—and releasing what isn't. ABOUT NATASHA RAMLALL Natasha Ramlall works with high-functioning, capable women who feel the ground cracking beneath them after a difficult life transition or an awakening to a mismatched life. As an Embodied Integration Coach, she guides you back into a deeper experience of your human-ness to heal, expand and evolve from an Identity Rupture and navigate the space between who you were and who you are becoming. *Exclusive Offer to Podcast Listeners! RESOURCES AND LINKS Humanist Coaching Free Guided Audio (from Natasha!) Follow Natasha (@freestyle_dance_alchemy) Follow Boobalicious (@boobaliciouspod) WeAreBoobalicious.com The conversations on Boobalicious are based on personal experience and professional insight and are not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor or licensed healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. SEO Keywords: breast cancer recovery, breast cancer survivorship, life after breast cancer, life after breast cancer treatment, breast cancer podcast for women, breast cancer survivor, breast cancer support, breast cancer wellness, reconnecting with your body, mind-body connection, embodied integration, chronic pain, generational patterns, fear after breast cancer, breast cancer survivor stories Hashtags: #BreastCancerRecovery #BreastCancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSurvivorship #LifeAfterBreastCancer #BreastCancerSupport #BreastCancerPodcast #MindBodyConnection #WomensHealth #BoobaliciousPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 1 of our conversation with Cyndi Dupuis, functional medicine nutritionist and founder of A Living Balance, we’re talking about what your routine bloodwork may be missing—and why “normal” labs don’t always tell the whole story. Cyndi breaks down the difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine, what a functional medicine evaluation actually looks like, and the key lab tests women should consider asking for, especially in midlife and after cancer. We take a deep dive into thyroid health, including why testing TSH alone may not give you the full picture. Cyndi explains free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies and Hashimoto’s, plus how iron, ferritin, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, chronic stress and cortisol can affect thyroid function. Cyndi also gets personal about what happened when chronic stress and overworking began showing up in her own health—and why supplements and prescriptions aren't always the answer when you haven't addressed the underlying problem. In this episode: functional medicine, thyroid testing, women’s health, Hashimoto’s, hormone health, chronic stress, inflammation, gut health, nutrition, breast cancer survivorship and midlife health. And don’t miss Part 2, when we get into HRT, hormone replacement therapy and the different types of estrogen. Learn more about the pod: www.WeAreBoobalicious.com Instagram: @Boobaliciouspod Learn more about our guest, Cindy Dupuie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re bringing back Part 2 of our conversation with actress and breast cancer survivor Nicole Eggert. Nicole gets candid about the realities of life during and after breast cancer treatment—from mastectomy recovery, implants, cording and phantom itching to chemo hair loss, body image and finding a new version of “healthy” after cancer. Nicole shares the lifestyle changes she made after her diagnosis, how she copes with the hard days and scan anxiety, and why she ultimately chose breast implants after her mastectomy. We also talk about chemo taste changes, hair growing back completely different, clean beauty and household products, and the challenge of balancing healthy choices without letting them take over your life. It’s an honest, funny and relatable conversation about breast cancer survivorship, mastectomy recovery, chemotherapy, reconstruction, body image, lymphatic health and finding your way forward after cancer. This episode is a replay of our original conversation with Nicole Eggert. Follow the pod! WeAreBoobalicious.com @boobaliciouspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

REPLAY: Nicole Eggert on Breast Cancer, Menopause & Learning to Love Her Body We’re bringing back one of our favorite conversations with actress and breast cancer advocate Nicole Eggert. If you missed it the first time—or need to hear it again—this candid conversation about breast cancer, medically induced menopause, body image, and life after treatment is worth a replay. Best known for Baywatch, Nicole Eggert joins Chris and Jenny to share the reality behind her stage 2 cribriform breast cancer diagnosis, a rare form of breast cancer that completely changed her relationship with her health and her body. Nicole opens up about discovering a breast lump, learning her cancer was estrogen-positive, and going from expecting a lumpectomy to facing chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, breast reconstruction, radiation, and medically induced menopause. They talk about breast reconstruction decisions, environmental estrogens, fear of recurrence, hormone blockers, hysterectomy, menopause after breast cancer, and the strange emotional transition that happens when active cancer treatment ends. Nicole also shares what it was like promoting a Baywatch documentary while bald and dealing with the physical changes of chemotherapy—and how cancer transformed years of criticizing her body into genuine gratitude for everything it had carried her through. In this episode: Nicole Eggert's breast cancer diagnosis Rare cribriform carcinoma Estrogen-positive breast cancer Chemotherapy, double mastectomy and radiation Breast reconstruction after cancer Medically induced menopause Menopause without HRT after hormone-positive breast cancer Hormone blockers and hysterectomy Fear of breast cancer recurrence Body image during and after cancer treatment Learning to trust and appreciate your body after breast cancer This is a replay of a previously released Boobalicious episode. Follow the show! WeAreBoobalicious.com @BoobaliciiousPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Shay Moraga, founder of Shay’s Warriors, to talk about the part of breast cancer no one prepares you for: what happens after treatment ends. Diagnosed at 38 with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, Shay underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. But when treatment ended, she discovered that survivorship brought its own challenges. We talk about life after breast cancer, cancer PTSD, scanxiety, fear of recurrence, survivor guilt, grief, and the pressure to feel “grateful” when you’re still struggling to find your new normal. Shay also shares why she created Shay’s Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to cancer survivorship, connection, education, and support—including their annual survivor retreat. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why don’t I feel normal now that treatment is over?” this episode is for you. Topics: triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), breast cancer survivorship, life after cancer, scanxiety, cancer PTSD, fear of recurrence, survivor guilt, mental health after cancer, and breast cancer support. More about our guest! www.ShaysWarriors.org Follow the Pod! www.WeAreBoobalicious.com @Boobaliciouspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2, medical oncologist Dr. Tiffany Troso answers the questions every breast cancer survivor wishes they'd asked sooner. We discuss the survivorship gap, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after breast cancer, and emerging tools like the Breast Cancer Index (BCI) and Signatera (ctDNA/MRD testing). Dr. Tiffany also shares the most important questions to ask your oncologist, practical tips for navigating treatment, and resources to help you feel more informed and empowered after a breast cancer diagnosis. Whether you're newly diagnosed or years into survivorship, this episode is packed with evidence-based guidance and real-world advice. Guest: Dr. Tiffany Troso, MD Medical Oncologist/ Founder of Winning the Cancer Journey/ Author/ Patient Advocate www.DrTiffanyTroso.com Follow the pod! www.WeAreBoobalicious.com @BoobaliciousPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've just been diagnosed with breast cancer—or love someone who has—this episode is packed with the practical advice you wish someone had given you on day one. Medical oncologist Dr. Tiffany Troso, former Memorial Sloan Kettering physician and founder of Winning the Cancer Journey, joins us to talk about what happens after diagnosis, how to advocate for yourself, and why slowing down before making decisions can actually improve your cancer journey. We also share a brief introduction to Diagnosis Anonymous, a mentorship community connecting newly diagnosed cancer patients with survivors who've already walked the path. In this episode, we discuss: What to do immediately after a breast cancer diagnosis Why you don't need to rush into treatment The importance of second opinions—and when they can accidentally delay care How to navigate cancer centers like Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson Why asking questions doesn't make you a "difficult" patient How to become a confident, empowered cancer patient Dr. Tiffany's journey from Memorial Sloan Kettering to creating an online education community after losing her vision Finding purpose after life's unexpected challenges Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or supporting someone through breast cancer, this conversation offers expert guidance, reassurance, and practical strategies for navigating the healthcare system with confidence. Guest: Dr. Tiffany Troso, MDMedical Oncologist | Founder of Winning the Cancer Journey | Author | Patient Advocate www.DrTiffanyTroso.com Follow the Pod! www.WeAreBoobalicious.com @BoobaliciousPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breast Cancer Recovery, Nutrition, Hair Loss, Fear of Recurrence & Life After Treatment What does life after breast cancer really look like? In Part 2 of our conversation with breast cancer survivor, health coach, and food creator Leanne Citrone, we dive into the realities of breast cancer recovery, nutrition after cancer, hair loss, fear of recurrence, and finding yourself again after treatment. Leanne opens up about how her relationship with food changed during chemotherapy, the simple nutrition habits that helped her heal, healthy snack ideas, hydration, supplements, and working with an integrative physician to support long-term wellness. The conversation takes an emotional turn as Leanne reflects on losing her hair during chemotherapy, cold capping, the moment she chose to shave her head, and why helping another woman through hair loss has become one of the most meaningful parts of her survivorship. Chris and Leanne also discuss viewing chemotherapy and oncology appointments through a different lens, grounding meditation for scan anxiety, acupuncture and self-care during treatment, and the daily work of managing fear of cancer recurrence. Together, they explore how breast cancer can fundamentally change your priorities, relationships, and sense of self—and why healing continues long after treatment ends. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or navigating life after breast cancer, this episode offers practical wellness tips, honest conversations, and reassurance that you're not alone. Follow the pod! www.WeAreBoobalicious.com @Boobaliciouspod Follow our guest! @LeanneCitrone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 1 of this conversation, Leanne Citrone shares her powerful journey from testing BRCA1 positive and choosing a preventive double mastectomy to the unexpected shock of being diagnosed with stage II ovarian cancer just a few years later. She opens up about recognizing symptoms, finding the right surgical oncologist, navigating chemotherapy, cold capping to preserve her hair, and why life after treatment can feel harder than treatment itself. If you're navigating breast cancer, ovarian cancer, BRCA mutations, or life after cancer treatment, this episode is filled with practical insight, honesty, and hope. Follow the pod! www.WeAreBoobalicious.com @Boobaliciouspod Learn more about our guest! @LeanneCitrone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices