Cancer Cured Me

If you’ve been feeling more isolated than you expected… even with a full life, a busy schedule and constant digital connection - this episode will land.
Because something is shifting.

We are more “connected” than ever, yet so many people are quietly experiencing loneliness, disconnection and a lack of real community. And I’ve been feeling it too.
In this episode of Cancer Cured Me, I’m talking honestly about what I saw, felt and realised after pushing myself out of my comfort zone and stepping into a room full of people - in real life.

And what became incredibly clear is this:

We are not designed to do life alone.
And no amount of online interaction replaces genuine human connection.

In this episode, I share:

Why loneliness is becoming so common in the age of remote work and online business
How working from home and digital-first lives are impacting mental health and wellbeing
What I witnessed at a live networking event that completely shifted my perspective
The truth about AI - and why you are still the edge
Why in-person events, retreats and community spaces are becoming more important than ever
The role of connection in regulating your nervous system and supporting emotional wellbeing
How to overcome loneliness in simple, realistic ways
Why authenticity and being physically present with others changes everything
The power of shared experiences - from conversations to collective healing spaces

Let’s talk about what actually helps:

It doesn’t have to be something big.
It could be:
Saying yes to a local class or workshop
Walking into a room where you don’t know anyone (I did exactly that)
Joining a community, even if it feels slightly uncomfortable at first
Choosing an in-person experience over another night on the sofa

Because the shift that happens when you’re with people - not just messaging them - is immediate.
Your body feels it. Your energy changes. You remember what it feels like to belong.

A personal invitation from me:

I’m opening the waitlist for my next retreat in the Cotswolds this September - and it’s everything this episode speaks to.
A beautiful setting, designed to help you slow down properly.
Space to breathe, move, reset and reconnect.
But more than anything - it’s the women who come.
The conversations, the shared moments, the friendships that form so naturally when you’re in the right environment with the right people.
That’s the part you can’t manufacture online.

📍 25th - 28th September 2026
📍 The Cotswolds

If you want to be part of it:
DM me WAITLIST on Instagram @lalalovesretreats
or use the contact details below
www.lalaloves.com
Email: [email protected]
.

The takeaway:

Loneliness isn’t something to push through or ignore.
It’s a signal.
A signal that you need connection, community and real human interaction.
And the good news is - it’s closer than you think.
If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it.
And make one small move this week towards connection - you never know where it might lead.
If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! x

Come and connect with me!

Instagram: @cancercuredme
Website: www.balancedbodyandretreats.com

CLICK 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.

FIND YOUR NEAREST BODY BALLANCER LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE HERE (INCLUDING MY OWN CLINIC!) https://bodyballancer.co.uk/where-to-find-us/

I’m revisiting this episode because it is such an important one. So many of our health issues are caused by a compromised lymphatic system and yet we know very little about this vital part of our immune system.

This conversation with lymphatic expert, Jules Willcocks is one I truly believe is worth hearing, or hearing again. Jules shares one of the best explanations I’ve ever heard of how the lymphatic system works, using the powerful image of the body as an aquarium - and once you hear it, it really does all start to make sense.

Jules is the founder of Body Ballancer UK (medical grade lymphatic drainage systems owned and loved by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga and many more) and a fountain of knowledge when it comes to lymphatic health, lymphatic drainage and why this often-overlooked system has such a huge impact on how we feel day to day. In this episode, we break it all down in a really simple way - what the lymphatic system actually is, why it matters so much for immunity, inflammation and detoxification, and what signs might suggest it is not working as well as it could.

We also talk about the connection between the lymphatic system and recurring illness, swelling, headaches, allergies, cellulite, gut health, post-surgery healing and even recovery after cancer treatment. If you have ever wondered why you feel puffy, run down, inflamed or like your body is struggling to keep up, this episode could open your eyes.

In this episode, we cover:
what the lymphatic system is and why so many people know so little about it
why the lymphatic system is vital for immune health and detoxification
common signs of poor lymphatic flow including colds, allergies, headaches, dull skin, bloating and swelling
the connection between lymphatic health, inflammation and overall wellbeing
how movement, deep breathing, hydration and dry body brushing can help support lymphatic drainage
what manual lymphatic drainage is and why it can be so beneficial
why lymphatic support can be especially important after surgery and cancer treatment
how compression therapy and the Body Ballancer work
the aesthetic benefits of supporting lymphatic flow, including reducing puffiness, fluid retention and cellulite
why supporting your lymphatic system may help you feel lighter, clearer and better in your body

This is such an important conversation because we are simply not taught enough about the lymphatic system, despite how central it is to our health. Whether you are interested in reducing inflammation, supporting your immune system, improving recovery, easing fluid retention or simply understanding your body better, I hope this episode helps you.

As always, this podcast is here to share stories, wisdom and tools that might support your healing and help you feel more empowered in your health.
If this episode resonates, please do share it with someone who might need it
If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! x

Come and connect with me!

Instagram: @cancercuredme
Website: www.balancedbodyandretreats.com

CLICK 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.

We revisit this important gem of an episode delving into the complexities of people pleasing and the importance of setting boundaries with psychotherapist and boundaries expert Elsie Owen. We explore how people pleasing often stems from a desire for emotional safety and the impact of childhood experiences on these behaviours. Our discussion highlights the necessity of self-regulation and the strategies for establishing healthy boundaries in relationships. Elsie shares insights from her course, emphasising the importance of pausing and reflecting before responding to social pressures, ultimately guiding listeners towards a more authentic and balanced way of living. We even answer the important question: "how can I have boundaries and not upset people?"

Key takeaways:
People pleasing is often about regulating our own discomfort rather than genuinely caring for others.
Setting boundaries is crucial for emotional safety and self-regulation.
Identifying whether actions stem from kindness or obligation is key to overcoming people pleasing.
Childhood experiences significantly shape our people pleasing behaviours.
Emotional safety is about feeling okay in social situations, not just physical safety.
Learning to pause before responding can help in setting boundaries.
It's important to recognise that we cannot control how others feel or react.
Creating secret boundaries can help ease the transition into more assertive communication.
Self-regulation is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and boundaries.
The journey of unlearning people pleasing behaviours is possible and empowering.

Connect with Elsie:

Insta: @boundarieswithelsie
Web: www.elsieowen.com

DOWNLOAD 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
If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! x

Come and connect with me!

Instagram: @cancercuredme
Website: www.balancedbodyandretreats.com

CLICK 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.

THE PERSONAL RESET METHOD - DM me RESET on Instagram @cancercuredme or email me at [email protected]
Early spots are £127 for the first few people, then £147

Today’s episode is for you if you’ve ever felt completely overwhelmed by the plethora of health advice out there… and just don’t know what to do first.
I hear this all the time.
You’re listening to the podcast, you’re following experts, you’re trying to do the right things - eat well, sleep more, move your body, regulate your nervous system - but it all starts to feel like too much.
And the truth is, it is too much.
We’re now consuming the equivalent of around 54 newspapers worth of information every single day. No wonder we feel scattered, overstimulated and unsure where to focus.
So in this episode, I’m sharing how I personally cut through that noise.
Not by doing more.
Not by following every trend.
But by simplifying everything down to what actually matters for me - and how I now help others do the same.
Because your health isn’t one-size-fits-all.
And the real shift happens when you stop trying to do everything… and start focusing on what’s right for you.
I also introduce something I’ve created called The Personal Reset Plan - a simple, personalised way to help you get clear on your priorities without adding more to your plate.
Think of it as someone finally helping you filter everything out.

In this episode, I talk about:
Why modern health advice feels so overwhelming
The “54 newspapers a day” reality and what it’s doing to your brain
Why more information isn’t the answer to better health
How to stop the constant cycle of “I should be doing more”
The power of simplifying your health into 3–5 key priorities
Why personalised support changes everything
How to feel calm, clear and back in control of your body and mind

This episode is for you if:
You feel overwhelmed by conflicting health advice
You’re trying to “do all the things” but still don’t feel your best
You want to feel calmer, clearer and more in control
You’re tired of overthinking your health
You know something needs to change but don’t know where to start

Want my help?
If this resonated with you, I’d love to support you.
I’ve created a Personal Reset Plan - a one-to-one deep dive where I help you cut through the noise and get clear on what actually matters for your health.
We look at the full picture - your body, mind, lifestyle and energy - and simplify it down into a few key areas that will make the biggest difference.
No overwhelm.
No endless to-do lists.
Just clarity and a plan that works for you.

DM me RESET on Instagram @cancercuredme or email me at [email protected]
Early spots are £127 for the first few people, then £147

If you enjoyed this episode…
Please share it with someone who needs to hear it.
And as always, I love hearing your thoughts - come and message me and let me know what landed.
If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! x

Come and connect with me!

Instagram: @cancercuredme
Website: www.balancedbodyandretreats.com

CLICK 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.

Dave Bolton was given just three months to live with a brain tumour. Nearly ten years later, he is still here - and this is how he did it.
Welcome back to Cancer Cured Me. This is Part 2 of one of the most extraordinary conversations I’ve ever had.
In this episode, Dave shares what happened after his diagnosis of a brain tumour, later confirmed as a glioblastoma - one of the most aggressive and terminal forms of cancer.

This is where his story shifts from survival… to something much bigger.
We talk about the moment he was told he had a tumour in his brain, the fear, the waiting, the surgery, and the devastating prognosis that followed. But we also go deep into what he chose to do next - and the decisions that have led him to still be here today.
This is not about false hope. It’s about possibility. It’s about taking back control when everything feels out of your hands.
And it’s about understanding that a prognosis is not always the full picture.

In this episode, I share with Dave:
The moment he was diagnosed with a brain tumour
Being told he had just 3 months to live without treatment
Undergoing major brain surgery with a 75% risk of not surviving
The second diagnosis - a fast-growing glioblastoma
The reality of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Hitting rock bottom and completely shutting down
The turning point that changed everything

What Dave did differently
This is the part so many of you have been asking for.
Dave shares the approach he took to support his body alongside conventional treatment - something that aligns so deeply with what I believe and what I talk about on this podcast.
We talk about:
Nutrition and why he shifted his diet
The role of exercise and movement in healing
Mindset, visualisation and the power of the mind
Stress, trauma and how they impact the body
Complementary therapies - from cold water to breathwork-style practices
Creating a 360-degree approach to healing
Something that really stayed with me from this conversation is this:
“Accept your diagnosis, but never accept your prognosis.”

Where Dave is now
Dave is now nearly 10 years on from a 3-month prognosis.
He is part of a tiny percentage of people in the world living this far beyond a glioblastoma diagnosis.

What this episode is really about
This conversation is not about rejecting medicine. It’s not about doing one thing over another.
It’s about expanding the conversation.
It’s about understanding that healing can be supported in many ways.
And it’s about remembering that:
You are not average
You are not alone
There is always something you can do

If you’re going through this right now
Something that came through so strongly in this episode is this:
You are allowed to have the hard days.
You are allowed to feel everything.
But there is also space for hope.
And sometimes, that starts with hearing a story like this.
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need it.
And if you’d like to connect with Dave or learn more about his work, all links are in the show notes.
Because sometimes…
The stories that sound impossible
Are the ones that change everything.
If you like what you hear... buymeacoffee.com/alexsimms. Thanks! x

Come and connect with me!

Instagram: @cancercuredme
Website: www.balancedbodyandretreats.com

CLICK 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.