Cancer Cured Me

If the festive season feels busy, intense, or a little overwhelming, this short final episode in our Calm Christmas mini-series, is a gift to your nervous system.In this guided mini practice, Alex is joined again by nervous system strategist Georgie Shears, who shares one of her most accessible and powerful regulation tools a simple ear massage technique known as “thinking caps”.This is a practice you can do anywhere, anytime at your desk, in the car, between meetings, or in the middle of Christmas chaos. And the magic? You’ll feel the shift in real time.In just a few minutes, Georgie gently guides you through:How to check your baseline nervous system stateWhy busy periods naturally push us into fight or flightHow stimulating the vagus nerve sends immediate signals of safety to the bodyWhy small shifts — even 1% — matter deeply for long-term changeThis practice helps your body move out of survival mode and back toward regulation, allowing you to enjoy the season rather than just get through it.✨ You don’t need to fix yourself.✨ Your body already knows how to settle.✨ Sometimes it just needs a gentle cue of safety.If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! xCome and connect with me!Instagram: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comCLICK HERE TO JOIN MY NEXT LUXURY RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK 6-9 March 2026 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER, THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE RETREAT DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m joined for the second in our Calm Christmas mini series by nutritionist and hormone expert Hannah Alderson. We’re talking about one thing many of us feel at this time of year, the impact of festive food, alcohol and late nights on our hormones and energy.If you’re feeling stretched, stressed, tired, hungover or just a bit overdone by the sparkly social calendar, you are not alone. This episode is packed with simple hormone-friendly Christmas tips that don’t involve restriction, guilt or saying no to the fun bits. No perfection, no “clean eating”, no punishing yourself for loving a Lindor ball. Just gentle support for your body when life gets busy.In this episode with Hannah Alderson, we explore:Why Christmas chaos can send our hormones and nervous system into meltdownHow alcohol affects hormone detoxification (and how to soften the blow)Simple ways to support the liver without giving up cocktails, champagne or dessertWhy B vitamins and electrolytes might be your secret festive helpersThe power of fibre and cruciferous veg for hormone balanceHow to avoid sugar spikes – while still enjoying the good stuffWhat to eat before going out so you don’t wake up regretting everythingWhy guilt and shame are worse for hormones than mince piesKey Takeaways:Christmas technically lasts 2 to 3 days… not 6 weeks. We don’t need to be “on a health kick” the whole time.Look after your liver on your quieter days, especially if you’re drinking or sleeping less.Enjoy your nights out guilt-free – connection boosts oxytocin and wellbeing.Eat before you drink and add cruciferous veg (like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli) and flax seeds into your week.Hydrate like your hormones depend on it… because they do.If you’re eating the chocolates, have them after a meal, not on an empty stomach.Skip the shame: stress and cortisol do far more damage than dessert ever could.Foods & Supplements Mentioned:(Always check what’s right for you, especially if you’re on medication.)Cruciferous veg: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbageFlax seedsMilk thistle (tincture or supplement)B Vitamin complex (in the morning, after food)Electrolytes (higher quality options, not just the fizzy high-street ones)The Big MessageEnjoy the party. Eat the meal. Dance in your sparkly shoes.Look after your liver on the quieter days, stay hydrated, and skip the guilt.Joy, laughter and connection are some of the best medicines we’ve got.If you loved this mini episode…You’ll want to follow Hannah for more practical, no-nonsense hormone guidance:@hannahaldersonnutrition And if you’re a midlife woman navigating hormones, healing or a post-cancer transformation, don’t miss my upcoming episodes, free resources and coaching support. You can follow me @cancercuredmeWishing you a joyful, sparkly and beautifully imperfect festive season.If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! xCome and connect with me!Instagram: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comCLICK HERE TO JOIN MY NEXT LUXURY RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK 6-9 March 2026 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER, THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE RETREAT DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EXCITING NEWS: SUZY READING WILL BE ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL TEACHERS AT OUR NEXT LUXURY TRANSFORMATIONAL RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK @wildernessreserve FOR FULL INFORMATION AND TO BOOK CLICK HERE. JUST 5 ROOMS LEFT!In the first festive episode of my calm Christmas mini-series, I’m joined by Suzy Reading - chartered psychologist, bestselling author of nine self-help books, yoga teacher and life coach. Suzy shares her simple and genuinely achievable 3 Ps of Christmas - a gentle formula that helps you create a season that feels grounding, joyful and true to what you actually need.If Christmas often leaves you overwhelmed, exhausted, overcommitted or quietly running on fumes behind the scenes, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. We explore how to step out of old traditions that no longer serve you, how to stay connected without burning out, and how to choose a festive pace that feels compassionate and manageable.This is a supportive guide for anyone wanting a calmer, kinder and more intentional Christmas this year.What You’ll Learn:Why “purpose” is the foundation of a peaceful ChristmasHow to create a gentle intention that shapes your festive seasonLetting go of traditions that feel wasteful, stressful, or outdatedHow to navigate invitations, family expectations and emotional loadThe importance of “white space” and planning recovery timeWhy your winter social energy goes into hibernation modeHow to stay connected without overwhelming yourselfWhat we all need permission to do more of (and less of)Practical conversation ideas for setting boundaries kindlyWhy needs are not “nice to haves” - they are human essentialsGuest Spotlight: Suzy ReadingSuzy Reading is a chartered psychologist, author of nine books, yoga teacher, and a compassionate voice in the world of mental health and emotional wellbeing. Her latest book, How to Be Selfish, is a brilliant stocking-filler for anyone needing help with boundaries and self-care during the holidays.Insta: @suzyreadingFavourite Moments:“Does this tradition actually serve us now?”“It’s okay to honour the impulse to hibernate without isolating.”“Say yes to the whole thing - not just the first half of it.”“Needs aren’t luxuries - they’re human needs.”“Let’s all choose the Christmas that feels right for us.”If this episode made you breathe a little easier, please follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs a gentler Christmas this year, or leave a quick review if you feel called to. It really helps more women find the show.Wishing you a Christmas you choose - whatever that looks like for you.If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! xCome and connect with me!Instagram: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comCLICK HERE TO JOIN MY NEXT LUXURY RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK 6-9 March 2026 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER, THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE RETREAT DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ENCORE EPISODE: 7 SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THIS WINTEREXCITING NEWS: SUZY READING WILL BE ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL TEACHERS AT OUR NEXT LUXURY TRANSFORMATIONAL RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK @wildernessreserve FOR FULL INFORMATION AND TO BOOK CLICK HERE. JUST 6 ROOMS LEFT!Do you want to know how to get through winter without it being so hard? Does your mental health suffer in winter? Do you suffer with SAD or just get those January blues and can’t wait for it to be summer again? Well, this is an episode that will solve all your winter problems.In this conversation with Suzy Reading, we explore the importance of self-care during the winter months and how to embrace winter as a wonderful, nurturing season, not just a season to ‘get through’. Talking around Suzy’s book, Self-Care for Winter, we discuss the concept of wintering through self-care, its significance for mental and emotional health, and introduce a framework of seven gentle steps to nurture oneself through the challenges of winter. The discussion emphasises the need for connection with nature and ‘awe hunting’, the importance of comforting rituals and community, as well as the value of reflection as a means to foster well-being during the colder, darker months. Suzy demonstrates some practical exercises that take just moments to do but will completely lift your day.Suzy’s concept of ‘Gentle January’ is a balanced approach to post-holiday wellness that ensures you are looking after yourself during the winter months and investing in your future self whilst doing so. About Suzy ReadingSuzy is a mother of two, an author, Chartered Psychologist, yoga teacher and coach. Suzy has over two decades of experience in the health and wellbeing industry, working with individuals and organisations in keeping their people happy and healthy. She draws these modalities of psychology, movement and restorative practices uniquely together and is one of the top UK experts on self-care. Suzy is the psychology expert for wellbeing brand Neom Organics and is a founding member of The Nourish App. She figure skated her way through her childhood, growing up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and now makes her home in the hill of Hertfordshire, UK.To work with Suzy or find out more about her offerings, here are ways to connect:Instagram: @suzyreadingWebsite: www.suzyreading.co.ukSelf-Care for Winter from Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/gh2T6oGDOWNLOAD HERE! A free guide from your host to help you build calm into your day and regulate your nervous system. If you need some gentle support in every day life and some simple, quick tools to help you feel more like you again, download this FREE GUIDE NOW.Connect with your host:Insta: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comIf you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! xCome and connect with me!Instagram: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comCLICK HERE TO JOIN MY NEXT LUXURY RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK 6-9 March 2026 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER, THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE RETREAT DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I absolutely love this conversation with nervous system strategist, Georgie Shears. Together we explore what it truly means to feel safe in your own body not conceptually, but physically. What is the elusive nervous system? What is nervous system regulation? Not only does Georgie answer these questions beautifully and more, she shares her honest, moving story of anxiety, panic attacks, postnatal depression and the pivotal moment during the pandemic that led her to discover the power of nervous system work. Her journey will resonate with anyone who has ever pushed through life on adrenaline, overridden their inner knowing or lived in a constant state of “what if”.Across this conversation you’ll learn:What the nervous system actually is beyond mindset, beyond theoryWhy so many women live in survival mode without realising itThe difference between ventral vagal (safety), sympathetic (fight/flight), and dorsal vagal (freeze)How your upbringing, past experiences and old protective patterns create your current responsesWhy your body “borrows” energy from digestion, immunity and sleep when you’re stressedHow nervous system states influence people pleasing, burnout, procrastination and overthinkingWhy traditional calming techniques don’t work when you’re too activatedThe simple cues your body gives you when you’re shifting back into regulationHow reconnecting with your inner child restores safety and softens old survival tendenciesGeorgie also generously walks us through two beautiful, accessible practices that you can use anytime you need to.Just for our listeners, enjoy a free trial of Georgie's Nervous System Circle, REGULATE. Daily nervous system prompts and 365 days of support :Click here to join: REGULATE. Enter your free trial code: CANCERCUREDME at checkout (Full details below)Connect with GeorgieInsta @georgieshearsstrategistWebsite: www.shift-yours.comGeorgie Shears is a Nervous System Strategist and ICF-accredited Neurosomatics practitioner who works with high-achieving founders, leaders, and entrepreneurs ready to elevate how they live and lead. Through her SHIFT Life Design System™️, she guides clients to optimise mental and physical health, performance, and fulfilment by expanding their nervous system capacity; creating success they can finally feel, enjoy, and sustain.Georgie has created something incredibly useful called Regulate, and it’s designed to help you manage stress, boost focus, and reclaim your energy so you can thrive - without burning out.You now have the option to try it for free and see how even tiny shifts in your routine can make a noticeable difference in your day-to-day energy, clarity, and calm.Regulate helps you work with your nervous system, not against it, so you can access the next level of your life and work without losing your health, relationships, or sense of self.Inside Regulate, you’ll find:Daily prompts (2-3 mins) - Short, accessible practices you can weave into your day to help you pause, reset, and reconnect with yourself - even on the busiest days.Longer biweekly practices (10-15 mins) - Guided practices that go a little deeper - to release tension, restore balance, and gently expand your capacity for calm, focus, and energy.Community chat - A calm, supportive space to share, ask questions, and connect with others walking the same path.If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! xCome and connect with me!Instagram: @cancercuredmeWebsite: www.balancedbodyandretreats.comCLICK HERE TO JOIN MY NEXT LUXURY RETREAT AT WILDERNESS RESERVE, SUFFOLK 6-9 March 2026 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER, THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE RETREAT DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.