Episode 46

The Strength of Instincts

with Jackie Garcia

The Strength of Instincts

What happens when you know something is wrong with your body but no one will listen?

We speak with Jackie Garcia, a young adult cancer survivor whose persistence led to a life-saving diagnosis. For five years Jackie searched for answers while dealing with severe symptoms including rapid weight gain, intense pain, numbness in her legs, and overwhelming fatigue. Doctor after doctor dismissed her concerns and told her to simply lose weight or manage anxiety. At age 31, a CT scan finally revealed the truth. Jackie had a 20-pound tumor wrapped around multiple organs.

After connecting with specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jackie underwent major surgery to remove the tumor. The moment she heard the words “you have cancer,” she felt something unexpected: relief. At last, she had proof that she had been right about her body all along.

Jackie shares how that experience has changed how she sees herself and her life. She learned to trust her instincts, show herself compassion, and slow down after years of pushing herself through work and stress. She also discovered the power of community through young adult cancer support groups and survivorship connections.

Her message is simple and powerful. Trust your body. Ask for help. And remember that hope can still exist even in the hardest moments of a cancer journey.

Highlights:

-Trusting Your Body – Jackie explains how years of unexplained symptoms pushed her to keep advocating for answers even when doctors dismissed her concerns.

- The Power of One Doctor Who Listens – A visiting physician ordered the CT scan that finally revealed the tumor and changed everything.

- The Moment of Diagnosis – Jackie describes the surprising sense of relief she felt when she finally received an answer.

- Life After Cancer Changes Priorities – Her experience shifted her mindset away from career obsession toward rest, self-compassion, and meaningful relationships.

- Why Community Matters During Cancer – Support groups and survivor connections became a critical part of her emotional healing and survivorship.

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Mentioned Resources:

CanCare- www.cancare.org

Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook

About the Guest:

Jackie Garcia is a 31-year-old retroperitoneal liposarcoma survivor and advocate. She spent five years searching for answers before being diagnosed with a rare cancer and a 20-pound tumor she named “Tina”. Through it all, she discovered strength in humor, healing in community, and the profound truth that her body, even in its most vulnerable state, was still worthy of love. Now living with no evidence of cancer, Jackie shares her journey with tenderness and hope, walking alongside other young adults navigating cancer and reminding them they are never alone on this uncertain road.

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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.

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!.

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