110. Healing After Cancer: The Identity Shift No One Warns You About

After treatment ends, many survivors expect to feel “back to normal” — but the emotional whiplash can be the hardest part of the journey. In this episode, Sarah is joined by breast cancer survivor and Not Today Cancer founder Jen Delvaux to talk honestly about identity, fear of recurrence, and how to rebuild a life that feels strong and joyful again.Together they discuss practical, science-backed lifestyle shifts (stress reduction, non-toxic living, movement, and food choices) and the mindset work that helps survivors step out of survival mode — without chasing perfection.Key Takeaways:The post-treatment phase can feel disorienting: many people ring the bell and then wonder, “Who am I now?”Survivors often hold “both/and” emotions at the same time: gratitude and anger, relief and fear.Stress is a major “hidden toxin” — and breathwork + nervous system regulation are free, powerful tools.Non-toxic living doesn’t have to happen overnight: swap products as you run out to avoid overwhelm.Focus on what you can add in (fruits, veggies, fiber) instead of only what you have to remove.Movement doesn’t have to be extreme: consistent daily movement matters more than perfection.The “cancer bubble” is real — community is healing, but you also deserve a full life outside the diagnosis.Alcohol after cancer is personal: if guilt or worry follows, it may not be worth it in this season.Testing can help tailor supplements: prioritize quality (third-party tested) and avoid random online sourcing.Turning pain into purpose can be deeply healing — for the person sharing and the person receiving support.Jen Delvaux is a breast cancer survivor, Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, author, and the founder of Not Today Cancer — a podcast and community built to empower women navigating life after a cancer diagnosis.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jendelvaux/Website: http://jendelbo.comPodcast: Not Today CancerApple PodcastsSpotifyThank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!Let's stay connected:Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)Follow me on InstagramShop my cups on InstagramJoin my email listMindset Reset ChallengeGet your free Sunshine Moments downloadRemember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!