Cancer Absolutely Sucks — Here’s What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate opportunity of getting cancer (or been part of a support system for someone with it), then you’re probably familiar with this truth: cancer absolutely sucks.

Here are some facts to support it:

• About 10 million people die from cancer every year
• Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide
• At least one third of common cancers are preventable

Roughly half the world lacks access to essential health services. And when it comes to cancer, although incredible medical advances are being made, not everyone has access to prevention methods, early detection screenings, and treatments.

So understandably, it’s scary. Oftentimes, it can get lonely. And undoubtedly, it can cause you to develop anxiety.

Fortunately, there are people with strong voices who can help support and empower you on your cancer journey. Consider tuning in to these three incredible souls on The Mindvalley Podcast for the advice, guidance, and motivation they provide.

#1: Dr. Josh Axe on Maximizing Your Health & Well-being Through Nutrition

You may have heard of Dr. Josh Axe. But if you haven’t, we’re honored to be the first to introduce you to him. 

Dr. Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist whose own mother was diagnosed with cancer twice. As the story goes, after her second diagnosis, he laid out a diet and lifestyle plan for her that’s based on more traditional remedies.

The choices we make every day — the food we eat, the products we use, the stress levels in our lives, the pills we take — these are the difference between illness and health.

— Dr. Josh Axe, clinical nutritionist and co-founder of Ancient Nutrition

Food is medicine, after all. And in this podcast episode, Dr. Axe and Vishen, founder of Mindvalley, discuss the fear behind the conventional medical treatments as well as incredibly simple, yet powerful traditional remedies that nature has been providing us for thousands of years.

Listen in:

• What you can learn from an Ayurvedic approach to health
• Why you should start eating more bitter and sour foods instead of sweet and salty (and the top three to put on your grocery list immediately)
• Dr. Axe’s personal creative visualization morning routine

#2: Alex Echols on 7 Habits That Helped Him Beat Stage 4 Cancer

At the age of 29, Alex Echols, advisor and investor for disruptive companies, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. And two years later, he was in complete remission. What did he do?

With the unsuccess of his conventional medical treatments, Alex had a massive reckoning. “I started to identify, ‘okay, something’s not working here’ based on the decisions I’ve made thus far,” he explains, questioning to himself whether or not he was happy with his care team.

My life was on the line and I was willing to do whatever to have a different result.

— Alex Echols, cancer survivorship and prevention advocate

That’s a challenging situation for anyone to be put in. However, Alex found inspiration in the Albert Einstein quote, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

With that confidence, he set out to research other ways to beat his cancer. And in this sit-down with Vishen, Alex shares his incredible story.

Listen in:

• How Alex was diagnosed with cancer
• What propelled him to choose a more natural approach
• What seven habits Alex implemented to help him beat cancer

#3: Marisa Peer on Using Hypnotherapy to Heal the Body and Mind

Marisa Peer, Britain’s leading hypnotherapist and author of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Therapy Quest, is no stranger to cancer.

In 2015, she was diagnosed with womb cancer and had to go through a hysterectomy. And in 2018, Marisa was diagnosed with cancer a second time — this time, it was Lynch syndrome, a gene that prevents the body from fighting cancer cells.

One diagnosis could send anyone down a spiral. But two? Most would plunge headfirst into a “Woe Is Me” state.

Not Marisa, though. She said only one thing: “I’m not doing illness.”

You have so much power to keep yourself well, to heal your body… Don’t give your power away. How you’re going to feel in life is really all up to you.

— Marisa Peer, author of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Therapy Quest

This episode focuses on using hypnotherapy and powerful affirmations to dive straight into your subconscious mind and heal yourself. Bonus: experience a hypnotherapy session, The Healing Vortex Begins, guided by Marisa herself.

Listen in:

• How you can use the power of self-healing through the mind by understanding neuroplasticity
• Why it’s important to use the right words (like the three life-changing words Marisa teaches you to use) and be clear with your mind
• The PPP — if it’s not permanent, personal, or pervasive, it’s not coming to get you and it can go away

Happy, Alive & Built to Survive

Cancer affects so many people (whether directly or indirectly). There’s even a specific day of the year to raise awareness — World Cancer Day, which falls on February 4th. 

So yes, cancer absolutely sucks. But you don’t.

There are people who are living proof that cancer isn’t a death sentence. People like Dr. Axe’s mom who’s living well into her 60’s, Alex who beat stage four, and Marisa who knows she’s enough.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.

— C. C. Scott

If you find yourself needing a little help, you’re always welcome at Mindvalley.

Here, you’ll find science-backed resources, like Marisa’s Rapid Transformational Therapy Quest, to help you through your healing journey. What’s more, our tribe is filled with like-minded people (and perhaps, those who’re also battling cancer or survived it), so you don’t ever have to stand alone.

No matter which color ribbon you don or the severity of the disease living in your body, just remember: broken crayons still color.