Episode 49

Living Fully After Cancer

with Thandi Montgomery

What if cancer became the moment that finally brought you back to life?

In this episode, Thandi Montgomery, coach, speaker, and founder of Thandi Monee, shares how a stage one breast cancer diagnosis at age 38 reshaped everything. A busy advertising executive and mom of two, she moved from constant motion to a life grounded in purpose, self-advocacy, and healing.

Her journey began with a simple self-exam that led to early detection and a life-changing diagnosis. Through four surgeries, 16 rounds of chemotherapy, and 30 days of radiation, she chose to actively partner in her care. She blended traditional treatment with integrative practices like nutrition, acupuncture, and mindfulness. Creativity became her outlet, helping her process fear, reclaim control, and document her experience through writing and film.

Thandi introduces her RISE framework, guiding others to recognize what happened, identify needed changes, set a new path, and elevate their voice. She speaks honestly about survivorship, including fear, identity shifts, and the ongoing work of healing.

Her story is a reminder that even in the hardest moments, there is space to rediscover who you are and choose how you want to live moving forward.  

Highlights:

1. How self-advocacy can change the speed and outcome of your diagnosis  

2. What it looks like to combine medical treatment with holistic healing  

3. How creativity can help you process fear and regain control  

4. Why survivorship is often harder than treatment itself  

5. How to shift from simply existing to living with intention

Mentioned Resources:

CanCare- www.cancare.org

Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook

Thandi Montgomery –www.thandimonee.com  

About the Guest:  

Thandi Montgomery is a breast cancer survivor, coach, speaker, and founder of Thandi Monee. Through transformational programs, she empowers cancer survivors to thrive and unlock their truth. Her work centers on creativity, and community, offering unwavering support and whole-person guidance throughout every stage of the cancer journey. She also partners with DO Cancer to expand access to education and awareness.

Explore other Podcast Episodes

Ep 56

Rediscovering Identity After Caregiving

with Jill Kelly & Diane Rolston
How do you find yourself again after caregiving becomes your entire identity? When Jill Kelly, a retired physical therapist, became her husband Ron's caregiver after his esophageal cancer diagnosis, she spent more than six years balancing medical care, emotional support, and the uncertainty that comes with living through cancer. After Ron's death, grief coach and life coach Diane Ralston helped Jill navigate the painful journey of rebuilding her identity while honoring the life and love they shared. Jill shares the realities of caregiving, the emotional weight that often goes unseen, and the challenge of learning who you are when the role of caregiver ends. Diane introduces practical frameworks that help caregivers understand why they often lose themselves and offers simple tools to begin healing without guilt or pressure. Together, they explore the importance of feeling grief instead of avoiding it, discovering personal values, setting healthy boundaries, and choosing purpose one step at a time. Whether you're caring for someone with cancer, grieving the loss of a loved one, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers reassurance that healing doesn't mean leaving someone behind. It means carrying their love forward while giving yourself permission to live fully again. Hope often returns through small moments, steady support, and the courage to take the next step. Highlights:  Learn why caregivers often lose their sense of identity and how to recognize it before burnout takes over.  Discover practical frameworks for moving through grief without rushing the healing process.  Hear why giving yourself permission to feel emotions is an essential part of recovery.  Understand how values, boundaries, and self-care help rebuild a meaningful life after loss.  Find encouragement that healing isn't about moving on. It's about carrying love forward while choosing life again. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Diane’s website - https://www.dianerolston.com/ About the Guest: Jill Kelly spent years as a physical therapist, helping others heal and rebuild their strength. Then her husband Ron was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and the healer became the caregiver. Jill walked beside him through every stage, and after his passing, she faced the work of rebuilding her own identity from the ground up. Diane Rolston is a life and business coach on a mission to help women find balance and reach their goals, even when life feels overwhelming. Her coaching programs have guided women around the world in honoring their ambitions while carrying the real weight of everyday life. Diane helps people rebuild new futures through seasons of change.
Ep 55

One Diagnosis. 3,000 Women Helped.

with Lyndsay Levingston
How do you turn a life-changing cancer diagnosis into a mission that helps thousands of others? At 37 years old, Lindsay Levingston was building a successful career in television news in New York City when she discovered a lump that would change the course of her life. The diagnosis was stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer. What followed was a journey through treatment, difficult decisions, and unexpected challenges that ultimately led her to a greater sense of purpose. Today, Lindsay is a breast cancer survivor, advocate, speaker, and founder of Survive Her, a nonprofit dedicated to education, support, and empowerment for women affected by breast cancer. As Lindsay reflects on her diagnosis, she shares how faith, family, and community became her foundation. What began as a desire to tell her story during the pandemic grew into Survive Her, a nonprofit dedicated to breast health education, support, screening awareness, and survivorship. She discusses the growing number of young women facing breast cancer, the importance of knowing your family history, and why every survivor's story matters. This conversation is a powerful reminder that hope is medicine, support changes lives, and purpose can emerge from places we never expected. Lindsey's story offers encouragement for anyone facing cancer and a call to use your voice, your experience, and your compassion to help others along the way. Highlights: 1. Learn why knowing your family history can be a critical part of early cancer detection. 2. Discover how support systems can impact both treatment and recovery. 3. Understand the unique challenges younger adults face after a cancer diagnosis. 4. Hear how faith and mindset can help people navigate uncertainty and fear. 5. Learn how personal adversity can become the foundation for meaningful service and advocacy. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org SurviveHER – https://www.imasurviveher.org/ ‍About the Guest: Lyndsay Levingston is a breast cancer survivor, nonprofit founder, and tireless advocate for women navigating their breast health journey. After her own diagnosis, Lyndsay turned lived experience into lasting impact, building SurviveHER into a vibrant sisterhood offering education, financial assistance, wellness resources, and access to life-saving screenings for uninsured and underinsured women. Since 2020, SurviveHER has supported more than 3,000 women and received national recognition, including acknowledgments from the United States Congress. Her work has been featured in ESSENCE, Oprah Daily, NBC News, and Yahoo!.