Turning Cancer Into Purpose: Risa August’s Advocacy & Resilience Journey

In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Risa August — cancer survivor, author of The Road Unpaved, TEDx speaker, and patient advocate — for a deeply honest and uplifting conversation.Risa shares how her diagnosis and cancer treatments reshaped her identity, challenged her physically and emotionally, and ultimately inspired her to create a life of meaning and service. From enduring radiation and its long-term effects to cycling nearly 1,900 miles from Canada to Mexico, Risa’s journey is one of courage, mindset, and transformation.Together, Mike and Risa explore:• How to rebuild confidence and purpose after life-changing health challenges • The power of small victories and shifting your mindset toward possibility • Risa’s work as a Gestalt coach and advocate for stronger doctor-patient relationships • The impact of her book and TEDx talk, “How a Single Word Can Rebuild Your Life”  • Risa’s upcoming feature film adaptation of her memoir, set for production in 2027This episode is about more than surviving cancer — it’s about thriving, empowering others, and discovering what you’re capable of when you refuse to give up.Subscribe for more stories that uplift the disability and limb-loss community and celebrate the human spirit.Send Mike a Message!Support the showWant to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/