Episodes
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Rest isnât just about sleep or collapsing on the sofa. After cancer â and in everyday life â tiredness can be physical, mental, emotional, or even sensory. In this episode of Thrive with Fran, I explore the different types of rest we all need, why it matters for recovery and resilience, and how to choose the right kind of rest for the kind of tired youâre feeling.
At the end, Iâll guide you through a short reflection practice to help you tune into what your body and mind are really asking for.
And speaking of rest⊠Iâm heading to Morocco for my own little pause â so think of this episode as both an invitation and a farewell-for-now until November when Iâll be back with fresh energy!
âš Takeaway: Rest isnât indulgence â itâs medicine.
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Depression after cancer is something many survivors face, yet itâs rarely spoken about. In this deeply personal episode, I share my own experience with depression, why itâs so common, the guilt that often comes with it, and gentle ways to navigate the heaviness when it shows up. This isnât about seeking sympathyâitâs about breaking the silence around a topic that takes real bravery to talk about. If youâve ever felt low after cancer, this episode is for you.
Disclaimer: This podcast is here to share ideas, experiences, and inspiration for life after cancer. Iâm not a therapist, psychologist, or medical professional, and nothing here is meant to replace medical advice. If youâre finding things especially tough, please reach out to a trusted healthcare professionalâyou donât have to go through it alone.
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Episodes manquant?
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Why did I get cancer?
tâs a question many if not all of us ask ourselves, and as we know Western medicine often only focuses on treating the symptoms â the tumour, the surgery, the chemo.
In this episode, I explore whatâs going on behind the scenes â the âsoilâ our health grows in. Sometimes itâs uncomfortable to look deeper, but by approaching it with curiosity and compassion, we can uncover insights that lead to powerful personal growth and lasting change. -
Why do some people overhaul their whole lives after cancer⊠while others stay exactly the same? In this episode, I explore the many different responses to life after a cancer diagnosis â from radical lifestyle shifts to quiet inner changes. Whether youâve changed everything or barely anything, this episode is about making peace with your path and honouring your unique healing journey.
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In this episode of Thrive with Fran, we dive into one of the most powerful â and often overlooked keys to healing after cancer: your nervous system.
I share why I'm becoming a trauma-informed somatic coach, and how understanding your bodyâs internal safety system can help you move from fear, fatigue, and freeze into calm, confidence, and clarity.
We explore:
What the nervous system actually is
How it gets stuck in survival mode after cancer
A simple overview of Polyvagal Theory
The science of psychoneuroimmunology (how emotions impact immunity)
Why you donât need to be âfixedâ â just gently rewired
How I help clients become their own best coach with tools they can use anytime, anywhere for life.
And of course, we finish with a short, grounding practice you can do right now to start shifting your state.
This is for you if youâve ever felt anxious for âno reason,â hyperaware, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode long after treatment ends. Youâre not broken â youâre beautifully wired for protection. Letâs help your body feel safe again.
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Hot flushes â sudden waves of heat, sweating, and discomfort â can feel overwhelming & exhausting - even more so in the summer heat. In this episode, I break down why they happen, shares practical tools to cool your body and calm your nervous system, plus a lovely simple cooling breathing practice to help you manage hot flushes with confidence. Youâre not broken â your bodyâs adapting, and you can find ways to thrive again.
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Feeling like an outsider during and after cancer is more common than we admit. In this raw, honest episode, I share my own struggles with isolation â that sense of being watched but not truly seen â and explore how we can slowly rebuild connection, belonging, and self-acceptance after illness.
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Exercise isnât just a ânice to haveâ after cancer â itâs a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and long-term health. In this episode, I unpack new research, explore why so few survivors are meeting movement guidelines, and share how to make exercise feel doable, personal, and even joyful. Science, stories, and soul â all in one place.
With love, Fran
Here are my sources & some further reading for you:
National Cancer Institute â Cancer Trends Progress Report (Physical Activity After Cancer):
đ https://progressreport.cancer.gov/after/physical_activityThe Guardian â Exercise Better Than Drugs After Cancer Treatment (June 2025):
đ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/01/exercise-better-than-drugs-after-cancer-treatment-international-trial-findsAmerican College of Sports Medicine â Moving Through Cancer:
đ https://www.acsm.org/read-research/resource-library/resource_detail?id=42a63ae3-1a61-4c8b-bbfc-d13f52c2109eMacmillan Cancer Support â Benefits of Physical Activity:
đ https://www.macmillan.org.ukWorld Health Organization â Physical Activity Guidelines:
đ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity -
Welcome to the first ever episode of Thrive with Fran - I'm so happy you are here.
So...what happens when your world narrows in a heart beat âyou hear the words "You have Cancer". Everything stops.
In this first episode we explore the emotional contraction that comes with crisis, the unexpected beauty of receiving help, and how to begin expanding again, gently and intentionally. Real talk, small mindset shifts, and a soul-deep reminder: you're not a burdenâyou're human.
With love, Fran
