In this episode, Mary Lou Burkhardt and I talk about how her breast cancer diagnosis and recovery changed her way of thinking.  She provides some important insight into her journey and her relationship to food, stress, and her body.  We also discuss the importance of community and gratitude.

Mary Lou is a yoga teacher leading Hatha, Vinyasa and Oncology yoga classes.  She is a breast cancer survivor and advocate and is based in New York City.

PSA to all of our listeners to please schedule your mammograms and any other preventative exams. 

What we discuss:

0:00 Intro

2:06 From corporate to yoga teacher

6:34 Surviving breast cancer and training in oncology yoga

11:27 Effect of cancer diagnosis

23:19 Gratitude for support

26:25 Changing relationship to food

31:30 Stress as a major factor from a young age

40:05 Workplace wellness vs. culture change

43:36 A message to yoga teachers

50:57 Final questions

Resources mentioned:

Radical Remission by Kelly A Turner Ph.D. https://kelly-turner.com

George Y.C. Wong – Chinese medicine focused on chronic disease and cancer www.georgeycwong.com

Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com

Follow Jessica on instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching 

Follow Mary Lou on instagram: @wellnesswithmarylou 

Mary Lou’s website: www.wellnesswithmarylou.com

Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)