Choosing Hope: Living Courageously Through Adversity

 For Joe Bakhmoutski (buck-moot-ski), going through cancer has been a journey through adversity to lose weight, get close with his family and make a greater impact out in the world.  Joe lives by the adage, " it’s not what happens to you that defines you, but how you respond to it."  Today, Joe helps cancer survivors become more calm, confident and in control through his Simplify Cancer Podcast, Simply Cancer book and free seven day Take Your Life Back After Cancer challenge.  To learn more about the challenge, and to reach Joe, go to https://simplifycancer.com/

Kim Curry was at the height of popularity as a radio guy in the 70s and 80s.   The perks of the job included hanging out with music legends, being invited to the White House and traveling around the world to find the next “Number One” song.   A 33 year broadcaster, he was forced into retirement with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis at age 50. 

Curry embraced this new challenge and shows us that life can be good even in the face of adversity.

After successfully building her business over the past twenty-plus years, Marcia Moran thought she has life by the tail.  Little did she know what was in store.  She suffered a major stroke in 2014 and had to learn how to walk and speak again.  In our conversation, Marcia talks about her experience and shares the message of hope, inspiration and healing, including a technological breakthrough that helped her recover.

Andrea Wilson Woods is a coach, writer, teacher and patient advocate.  She is the founder of the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association and CEO of Cancer University, a for-profit digital health company.  In our conversation, Andrea talks about her sister, Adrienne Wilson,  who was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer.   Our conversation centres around the book she wrote, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, which chronicles her sister's remarkable life from the time she was born until she dies at age 15.  

Shawn Tegtmeier quit smoking at 36, gained weight, lost weight and started (gasp) running!  She went back to school, left her safe "cube" career to become a personal trainer.  She has run many marathons over the past 15 years.  Shawn was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, continuing treatment while getting back to running.  She published her memoir last year, Running with Walt.  In our conversation, Shawn talks candidly about how her turned her life around at 36, made courageous decisions and is now living a life of joy and purpose.

Katherine Jansen-Byrkit is Licensed Professional Counselor with 17 years in private practice offering holistic psychotherapy.  Last year, Katherine published her book, River to Ocean: Living in the Flow of Wakefulness.  Her book reflects the human voyage of finding your way to an awakened self.  As with a river that traverses steep mountains and winding valleys, our inner and outer worlds can be encumbered by a lack of connection to ourselves, old beliefs, an anxious mind.  Each and all of these can interfere with living our our most authentic and loving life.  In our conversation, Katherine offers insights and practices on how to live a life of wakefulness.

Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer.  She has battled cancer, ministered around the world and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor.  In our conversation we talk about her recent book, "Unleash Your God-given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer"  To learn more about Ginny, go to www.ginnybrant.com

Jean Turner is a minister, author, retired army officer and  holistic health nurse coach who conquered cancer and heart disease and describes her experience in her book, The Spirit of a Warrior.  We talk about Jean's experience and the importance of self-care to live a full life.  Jean also hosts a podcast,  “Health Chat with Coach Jean”.

You can learn more about Jean through her website: http://www.spiritofawarrior.life