Why There Is No Such Thing As Good Cancer, with Alicia Baca Rush

Send us Fan MailA gentle heads-up: this conversation touches on cancer, a near-death experience, and a season of deep depression. Please listen with care, and if now isn't the right time, that's okay. “You’ve got the good kind of cancer.” That sentence is everywhere, and it can land like a slap when you’re the one living it. I sit down with  Alicia Baca Rush,  speaker, author of The Good Kind of Cancer Turning Pain into Purpose, and a thyroid cancer survivor to talk about what people miss when they label any diagnosis as “lucky” or “easy.”Alicia shares the reality behind the prognosis: intense daily symptoms, fear that doesn’t fit neatly into stages, and the emotional weight of being told to feel grateful. Then her story takes a turn that hits at identity itself. After surgery, she faced paralyzed vocal cords, a tracheostomy tube, and a level of medical trauma that pushed her into deep depression and embarrassment in public. We talk about what it’s like when your voice changes, when connection becomes harder, and when you’re forced to meet a new version of yourself.We also get practical. Alicia breaks down the tools that helped her move forward: meditation, mindset work, permission to grieve, and the discipline of getting out of bed tomorrow without denying how bad today feels. We dig into reclaiming control during illness, what “turning pain into purpose” honestly means, and why letting people help can be an act of strength.If you’re navigating thyroid cancer, chronic illness, vocal cord paralysis, recovery after surgery, or the mental health spiral that can follow, this conversation offers language, perspective, and hope that doesn’t sugarcoat. Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the line that stayed with you.Connect With Alicia Baca Rush:Book (The Good Kind of Cancer): available on Amazon in paperback and KindleInstagram: instagram.com/aliciarush77Facebook: Alicia Baca RushEmail (for a signed copy): [email protected] Protector DevelopmentOffer: $100 OFF ENROLLMENT | Code: ENROLL100Immunology Diagnostics30% off of IMBXX. Code: Healthymind Get the test, insurance covers.Vegout VoyageOffer: 15% off all personalized Armchair Iceland merch | Code: ICELANDGEAR15Towards Wellness CoachingOffer: 25% off | Code: POD2026. Available internationally in paperback and eBook formats.The Rooted Co-op50% off the Nervous System Work: Be the Change Course! | Code: POD50Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showWant to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? 👉  DM me on PodMatch 💬 Want to come on the show? Be a Guest 🌐 Explore the full network  | 📨 Newsletter | 👥 LinkedIn CommunityThis isn't self-help. It's self-honesty.💼 Sponsor Our Show | 🎬 Check Our Services📌 Disclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Guest views are personal and do not represent the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify or endorse guest statements. Nothing here is medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional. Engage critically. Third-party content referenced under fair use. Guests are responsible for their own statements. Concerns? Contact us | Full disclaimer.By listening, you accept this disclaimer in full.