Ditch the Lump: Jessica Hare

Welcome to Episode 49 of The Incredible Machines podcast! In this deeply moving and uplifting conversation, Jon Oliff sits down with Jessica Hare, founder of Ditch the Lump and co-founder of Smart Meeting Rooms South Africa.  Jessica shares the life experiences that shaped her faith, resilience and heart for people. She reflects on her early years as a teacher, her time in missions and community development, the burnout that forced her to slow down, and the relationships that helped her rebuild. From growing up in Durban and dreaming of adventure, to travelling through America, Hawaii and India.  The conversation moves into Jessica’s breast cancer journey: finding a lump, advocating for herself when she knew something was wrong, receiving her diagnosis in February 2024, undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and further surgery, and learning how to navigate motherhood, marriage and identity through it all.  Jessica speaks honestly about fear, vulnerability, humour, faith, femininity, the power of female friendship, and the deep loneliness many people experience during treatment. She also shares the story behind Ditch the Lump, a growing platform and walking community created to remind people going through cancer that they are not alone.  This episode is for anyone walking through uncertainty, supporting a loved one through illness, rebuilding after burnout, or learning what it means to show up with courage.    ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:45 – South Africa, Hawaii and the Feeling of Home  02:35 – Advice to Her 16-Year-Old Self  06:19 – Her Brother’s Cancer Diagnosis  09:08 – Cancer’s Impact on the Family  12:59 – Studying English, Media and Journalism at UCT  14:24 – Losing a Close Friend and Choosing Missions  18:17 – The Incredible Machines Campaign and Meeting Jessica  23:24 – Faith, Friendship and Following Christ  26:06 – Burnout and Compassion Fatigue  35:10 – Finding a Lump  38:08 – Receiving Her Cancer Diagnosis  45:36 – Explaining Cancer to Young Kids  49:06 – Identity, Vulnerability and Becoming a Patient  53:06 – The Women Who Got Her Through Chemo  57:59 – Starting Ditch the Lump  01:06:11 – Starting Smart Meeting Rooms South Africa  01:11:25 – Brené Brown, Courage and Being Seen  01:15:48 – Motherhood, Marriage and Gratitude        💬 Quote of the Episode  “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” – Brené Brown, one of Jessica Hare’s favourite quotes.    🧠 Related Campaign Example   Always #LikeAGirl Campaign: Jessica chose this campaign because of the way it reframes the phrase “like a girl” from an insult into something powerful, capable and strong. The campaign resonated with her emotionally because it challenged the idea that femininity should be associated with weakness, and instead celebrated girls and women as strong, brave and fully themselves.  The campaign originally launched as a digital-first film in 2014 before being adapted into a 2015 Super Bowl commercial. It went on to become one of the most recognised purpose-led campaigns of its time, winning the 2015 Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial and major Cannes Lions recognition, including the PR Grand Prix.  Always #LikeAGirl Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRjb5WOmbM   👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Jessica Hare’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hare-0767047b    Jessica Hare’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.wolf.hare     Ditch the Lump Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditch.the.lump/   Ditch the Lump Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ditch-the-lump-podcast/id1896809493     Smart Meeting Rooms South Africa Website: https://smartmeetingrooms-kzn.com/    Smart Meeting Rooms UK Website: https://smartmeetingrooms.co.uk    Bethany Hamilton: https://bethanyhamilton.com/    Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/    Always #LikeAGirl Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs      Run the Berg: https://runtheberg.co.za/        🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica    🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_      Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa