Living Life Over Cancer
Wellness & Coaching

Living well has taken many forms in my life. There were seasons of forward motion, setting goals, staying active, and pushing through. And then there are seasons like this one, where living well asks something softer. This Companion Journal supports moments of waiting, uncertainty, or transition. These are times when the body and spirit are asking for gentleness rather than striving. It is not meant to offer advice or replace medical care. It is simply a quiet place to pause,

How might you invite a little more Pura Vida  into your own life, one mindful choice at a time? This season, we’re continuing our Snow Bird lifestyle. It’s not about escaping life, but about embracing it more fully. In Costa Rica, Pura Vida  is more than just a saying. It’s a way of life that encourages you to slow down, take a deep breath, and focus on what really supports your well-being. Sunshine, daily movement, simple meals, nature, and community are now part of our dail

Breath doesn’t change the waves of life, but it changes how we receive them. This reflection invites you to pause, breathe, and gently ride

Tamarindo Beach - Costa Rica 2025 At the very beginning of Living Life Over Cancer , I wrote about the importance of foundational lessons. Any good teacher knows that learning requires repetition. Lessons need to be revisited, reflected upon, and lived in to take root. These five foundational practices continue to guide me. They can support anyone seeking optimal health or navigating a health challenge. Living with stage IV breast cancer has required strength, resilience, and

Some people come into our lives quietly and leave an imprint that never fades. Belinda Gramonte was one of those people. We met through a shared journey of stage IV breast cancer, one none of us would choose, yet one that brought us into trusting friendship. Across miles, oceans, and time zones, we walked alongside one another with honesty, tenderness, and a commitment to finding light, even on the hardest days. As I was writing RISE , Belinda was one of the voices who walked

A reflection on how RISE book clubs create space for meaningful conversation, shared stories, and connection among women. These gatherings remind us that healing often happens quietly, through listening and community.

This morning, I woke with gratitude. I have a green light to return to Costa Rica, a place and a people I love. This time, the journey looks a little different. I am travelling on a new medication. It comes with new questions and new responsibilities. I need to stay out of the direct sun, watch carefully for side effects, and pay close attention to my body to be sure the dosage is correct. These are not small things, and I take them seriously. And still, I am willing to do th

Quote image shared from @TherapyQuotes I hope everyone welcomed 2026 surrounded by joy, hope, and love. There is something powerful about the turning of a calendar year; an invitation to pause, reflect, and step forward with intention. For me, the first day of the new year arrived quietly and with purpose. I completed a cycle of my new medication and entered what is known as a rest week. This pause is intentional. It allows my body time to recover, rebuild my blood counts, an

“A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of themselves and their contribution to praise the skills of others.” – Norman Shidle Some teams dissolve when the work ends. Ours didn’t. Twenty-five years ago, we came together to support students, teachers, staff, and school communities across the South Shore. Each of us entered this work with different strengths, experiences, and perspectives, and together we formed a team built on trust, honesty, and deep respect. D

As we move toward Christmas, many of us feel the weight of a world that seems unsettled and uncertain. Our worldview has taken a few hits this year. For those of us who are healing, or supporting others who are healing, this season can feel even more overwhelming. That is why I often return to a simple image I use in my coaching and in my own life. The hula hoop. Your hula hoop represents the space you can control and influence. Inside that circle is your self-care, your valu

70 and Aged to Perfection This week, I had the pleasure of celebrating my friend Gary as he turned 70. Watching him enjoy the moment with friends reminded me that aging is a privilege and that how we grow older is shaped by the choices we make each day. The phrase by Clint Eastwood, “ Don’t let the old man or woman in, ” is one of my life mantras. It reminds us that we can acknowledge our age while choosing to stay active, engaged, and curious. Gary is a wonderful example of

When life feels noisy or rushed, the most supportive place to begin is with your breath. It anchors you and brings you back into the present moment. As Amit Ray reminds us: “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” Today, I invite you to join me for a gentle mindfulness practice that helps calm the mind and settle the body. This practice supports greater self awareness and self regulation by guiding your attention inward and giving

As the world grows noisier and the commercial rush of the holidays begins, we are invited to pause and return to what truly matters: self-care, family, connection, and meaningful experiences that nourish the soul. This yoga practice is inspired by the quote: “When the world is noisy, slow down to listen to the direction of your heart.” In this gentle class, we will slow down, reduce the external and internal noise, and create space to hear our own inner guidance. Through brea

Picture of me with my sister, Doreen. A friend recently shared a YouTube video that sparked a wave of nostalgia for me. It reminded me of the familiar phrases many of us heard growing up in the 60s and 70s. These sayings shaped our childhood in ways we didn’t recognize at the time. They provided structure, warmth, and clear expectations. Our parents might not have used the language of emotional intelligence or resilience, but they taught it. We grew up with unconditional love

Home is where the court is. This Fall, as I travelled across the province for book signings, I had the pleasure of visiting the North Shore Pickleball Courts in River John, Nova Scotia. The crisp air, colourful trees, and warm welcome from the River John Pickleball Ladies reminded me how powerful movement can be for our physical and emotional health. They shared a message with me: “Pickleball is good movement, therefore good medicine.” I could not agree more. What makes this

Yesterday, our beautiful boy Tavis turned eight. What a blessing it is to have him in our family. His presence brings unconditional love, steady comfort, and a daily reminder of what it means to truly be alive. As I continue to navigate life with stage IV metastatic breast cancer, Tavis has become more than a companion. He has become one of my greatest teachers. In his quiet, joyful way, he continues to offer me lessons I hold close: 1. Unconditional Love Every morning, Tavis

Remembrance Day has always invited us to slow down and look inward. It is a day to remember the courage, sacrifice, and hope carried by those who served. When we step onto our mats with this in mind, our practice becomes more than movement. It becomes an act of quiet gratitude. In today’s practice, I leaned into themes of remembering and returning. Each breath was a reminder that life is a gift. Each posture became an opportunity to honour the strength and vulnerability our b

When life feels unsettled, I begin here. A pause, a breath, and the choice to think gently. This past week asked a lot of me. I learned that there had been some progression, and with that came the loss of hearing the word stable, a word that has offered me comfort for a long time. The news landed in my body before my mind even had a chance to catch up. For a moment, I felt that old familiar pull toward negativity. Our human brains are wired for it. They rush to protect us by

Follow the lead of Fall leaves. As the leaves soften, release, and return to the earth, we are reminded of the quiet wisdom of nature:letting go makes space for new growth. This gentle intermediate flow invites you to breathe deeply, release tension, and trust the process of change.We hold a few planks to build strength and resilience — but as always, listen to your body and honour your pace. If something in your life no longer serves you, I hope this practice helps you softe

A gentle Yin practice reminding us to slow down and reconnect with self-awareness. Yesterday, I hosted a Yin practice to help us slow down, go inward, and reconnect with our self-awareness. With a little help from Tavis, our golden guide, we were reminded what true relaxation looks like. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to lose touch with how we feel, how we show up for others, and how our actions and energy shape the spaces we share. Self-awareness is not just reflection;