Pivoting with Intention: Building a Life That Supports Treatment

"Pivoting doesn't mean you're giving up. It means you're moving one step closer to success." - Anonymous

Pivoting With Intention

When life requires a new protocol, it also asks for a new rhythm. Healing is not just about the medication. It is about how we live alongside it. A change in treatment often brings uncertainty, even when we trust the science and the team guiding us. Over time, I have learned that supporting ourselves during these pivots begins with focusing on what we can influence in our daily lives.

There are moments in a health journey when we are asked to pivot. A new medication or a new protocol. These changes can feel unsettling. What I have learned on my journey is that supporting ourselves means taking control of the things we can in response to change.

Building a Supportive Daily Rhythm

Medication does important work in the body, but it does not act alone. It works within and responds to our daily living. How we eat, rest, move, and manage stress all matter. As I pivot to a new protocol, I focus on building a supportive routine around it.

Not rigid.

Not perfect.

Just intentional.

That routine includes a diet that supports energy, proactive care to reduce side effects, rest treated as essential, and boundaries that protect healing. Rather than reacting to challenges, I focus on prevention and awareness.

Listening to the Inner Landscape

Healing is a journey with twists along the road. Some days call for rest. Others welcome movement or connection. Learning to listen inward has been one of the most important actions on my journey to live life over cancer. Listening to the body means adjusting routines, choosing kindness over pressure, and trusting that the body communicates what it needs when we are willing to pay attention. This ensures we are in active partnership with our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Where AI and Social Media Can Help

Online spaces have become an unexpected but grounding source of support for me. Facebook groups, in particular, have been paramount in helping me navigate daily life alongside treatment. These communities allow me to ask questions of those who came before me and gather practical, lived-experience insights, from managing side effects to simple life hacks that make a difference. Beyond information, they offer reassurance, compassion, and the reminder that I am not walking this path alone.

Alongside medical care and daily practices, I have also used artificial intelligence as a supportive tool. Not as a replacement for clinicians, but as a way to reduce overwhelm.

I am a questioner, and AI has enabled me to ask as many questions as I want, keeping me calm and in control of my day-to-day activities. Knowledge is powerful, and it can be calming.

AI has helped me organize routines, create simple checklists, prepare questions, and stay consistent. As patients and caregivers, we can carry a heavy mental load while traveling a journey of healing. Used thoughtfully, AI can offer clarity, structure, and steady support for daily living.

Living Life Over Cancer

Living life over cancer, for me, means choosing to live fully alongside treatment. It means honouring science, self-awareness, and self-care.

If you are facing a pivot of your own, consider this question: What rhythm would best support your healing right now?

And perhaps also ask: How might I use AI to answer my questions and provide structured support for my mental and physical health?

You do not need to do everything. You only need to listen and begin.

🎄 A Gift of Hope for the Holiday Season

Hope is the greatest gift we can give one another.

The holidays often invite both joy and reflection. At a recent Christmas fair, I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Claus. Her warmth reminded me how deeply people are searching for comfort, connection, and hope at this time of year.

For many, the season can bring mixed emotions. Some are healing. Some are facing uncertainty. Others are working hard to care for their minds, bodies, and spirits. In those moments, the right message can make all the difference.

I wrote RISE: Living Life Over Cancer to build capacity amongst my fellow humans. Readers across Canada and the United States have shared five-star reviews noting that RISE offers practical support, real experience, and genuine encouragement for anyone wanting to live with more intention and strength.

If you are looking for a meaningful gift this Christmas, consider offering hope. RISE is available on Amazon in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

For those who would like a personalized and signed copy, local pickup is available by arrangement.

If your days are full or the person you are thinking of lives at a distance, RISE can be sent directly to them through Amazon. Simply choose their address at checkout and let hope arrive right at their doorstep.

May this season bring gentleness, comfort, and renewed hope to all who need it.

A Healthy Holiday Table from Nova Scotia to the Mediterranean

The holidays are a beautiful time of gathering, connection, and celebration. For many of us, food becomes a central part of the season. We share appetizers around a glowing tree, linger over dinners with people we love, and enjoy treats that have been part of our family traditions for years.

But good eating does not mean restriction, guilt, or deprivation. It simply means choosing foods that help us feel well, energised, and comfortable in our own bodies as we move through this joyful season.

One of the most supportive ways of eating during the holidays is the Mediterranean Diet. It is one of the most researched and trusted approaches for long-term health. It reduces inflammation, supports both heart and gut health, and keeps us satisfied without leaving us feeling weighed down. Fortunately, it also offers endless delicious possibilities for Christmas appetizers, dinners, and even desserts.

Fruits, vegetables, olives, olive oil, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fresh herbs, legumes, fish, and simple proteins come together to create colourful, flavourful dishes perfect for festive gatherings. Instead of feeling restricted, we can feel abundant. This way of eating is joyful, celebratory, and grounded in the wisdom of some of the world's healthiest cultures.

Understanding how our gut digests food is important. The body thrives when we give it whole, unprocessed foods. Processed foods, especially those high in refined sugars, additives, and unhealthy fats, create inflammation in the body. Over the holidays, inflammation can show up as bloating, fatigue, headaches, or that sense of feeling off. When we choose foods closer to their natural state, our gut responds with energy, clarity, and a sense of wellness.

In my book RISE, I share the 7–2 rule, a simple guide that helps you stay connected to your body’s signals.

• Eat until you reach a comfortable 7 on the fullness scale.

• Try not to let yourself fall below a 2 for hunger.

This simple mind hack prevents overeating and reduces the times when we reach for processed foods simply because we waited too long to eat. It is an easy practice to use during the holidays, and it allows you to enjoy the foods you love while staying in balance.

And speaking of foods we love, the photo of us holding fresh lobsters is a snapshot of joy that always reminds me how much good food connects us to tradition and to one another. Lobster is a beautiful fit with Mediterranean-style eating, and the lobster dip I included in my book continues to be a favourite at our gatherings. Simple, clean, and full of flavour, it always disappears from the table quickly. It’s a reminder that healthy eating does not mean giving up the foods we cherish; it’s about preparing them in ways that support the body and bring people together.

There are many more simple eating hacks, small habits that support better health without adding stress. Choose colourful foods. Pair proteins with healthy fats, and slow down your eating. Sip water throughout the day. And most importantly, savour each bite with presence and gratitude.

So as we gather around the Christmas tree, the holiday table, and the warm fires that bring us together, let us raise a glass to good eating, good times, and good memories. Let us enjoy the beauty of the season while honouring our bodies with foods that help us feel well.