Cancer Cured Me

Alexandra Simms
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Cancer may be in the title, but this podcast is about so much more than cancer. It is about what happens when life wakes you up and you decide not to go back to sleep. I’m Alex (La) Simms, and after an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis in 2017, I began questioning how I was living, what I was carrying and why I had spent so long putting myself last. Cancer became a catalyst, but the real story is everything that came next. On Cancer Cured Me, I have honest, uplifting conversations about healing, nervous system regulation, natural health, manifestation, spirituality, emotional wellbeing, purpose and midlife reinvention. You’ll hear from leading experts, remarkable people who have transformed their lives after illness or adversity, and from me as I share what I am learning along the way. This podcast is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck in survival mode or simply knows there must be more to life. Expect practical tools, powerful stories, warmth, humour and new ways to feel safer in your body, trust yourself again and create a life with more energy, joy, freedom and meaning. You shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis or a crisis to start living fully. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3h ago

    Karma is Real

    Coming to you from New York with a story I genuinely couldn’t have planned. A completely unexpected act of generosity led to an unforgettable 21st birthday, Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden, a dream coming true and a pretty big realisation for me about how uncomfortable I can be with simply receiving. In this little solo episode, I’m talking about letting go of control, allowing good things to happen without immediately wondering what we need to give back, and why some of the very best moments in life happen when we stop rushing long enough to actually notice them. I’m also sharing a little about my recent women’s wellbeing day retreat, the conversations around hormones, health, sleep and our nervous systems, and why I’ll definitely be creating more of these days. Sometimes we don’t need to make more happen. Sometimes we need to create enough space to receive what’s already coming. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 29

    Exceptional Cancer Survivors with Dr Sam Watts | Encore Part 2

    The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer: Hope, Healing & Exceptional Survivors with Dr Sam Watts Why circadian rhythm, purpose, mindset, food and even having more fun could matter far more to our health than we realise I’m bringing you part two of my encore conversation with the brilliant Dr Sam Watts, author of The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer, and honestly, there is SO much in this one. Sam has spent years researching Exceptional Cancer Patients, people who have survived years beyond a terminal prognosis, and instead of simply calling them statistical outliers, he wants to know why. What are they doing differently? What do they have in common? And what can the rest of us learn from them? We talk about hope, self-belief, neuroplasticity, purpose and the mind-body connection, including why Sam believes one of the biggest common threads amongst exceptional survivors is having an incredibly strong reason to live. But this episode isn’t just about cancer. We get into circadian rhythm, sleep, movement, blood sugar, Ayurveda, herbal medicine, medicinal mushrooms, olive oil, gut health and nutrition, as well as something I think we massively underestimate: actually enjoying our lives. Sam talks about the impact of work, relationships, hobbies, fun and having something that lights you up, and shares the fascinating connection between Monday mornings, job dissatisfaction and heart health. We also talk about eating with a calm nervous system, why he is obsessed with good quality extra virgin olive oil, his thoughts on mushrooms including chaga and lion’s mane, and why health may be far less about doing everything perfectly and much more about the way we live every single day. As ever with Sam, this conversation is full of hope without pretending there is one magic answer. If you’ve experienced cancer, are supporting somebody who has, or you simply want to understand more about Ayurveda, cancer prevention, integrative health and living well, I think you’ll get so much from this one. Find Dr Sam Watts: Instagram: Dr Sam Watts Website: mindbodymedical.co.uk Book: The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer And if you haven’t heard Part One yet, go back and listen to that one too because these two episodes really belong together. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 22

    Dr Sam Watts on Ayurveda Made Simple: Stress, Sleep and What Your Body Really Needs (Encore)

    Why personalised health, nervous system balance and your daily rhythm matter more than the latest wellness trend To mark Dr Sam Watts speaking at the Yes to Life event on 26 September, I’m bringing back one of the most valuable conversations from the Cancer Cured Me podcast. Sam talks so much sense in this episode and his message feels more relevant than ever. We are surrounded by health advice telling us what we should eat, when we should fast, how we should exercise and which wellness practice everyone apparently needs to follow. But what if there is no single right answer? In this fascinating introduction to Ayurveda, Dr Sam Watts explains why something that supports one person may leave another feeling depleted, stressed or unwell. Ayurveda gives us a framework for understanding our individual needs rather than forcing ourselves to follow generic health rules. We explore how our relentless pace of life can keep the body in a stress response before the day has even properly begun and why restoring health does not have to involve completely overhauling your life. Sam shares how small, consistent practices can help us reconnect with our bodies, support the nervous system and take greater ownership of our health. In this episode, we discuss: What Ayurveda actually is and why it is far simpler than many people imagineThe three doshas: Vata, Pitta and KaphaHow to recognise what brings your individual mind and body into balanceWhy fasting, cold showers and other popular health trends are not right for everyoneHow rushing through the morning can trigger a fight-or-flight responseThe importance of natural morning light and circadian rhythmWhy sleep begins with what you do when you wake upSimple Ayurvedic practices including self-massage, oil pulling and tongue scrapingThe difference between your natural constitution and the imbalances created by daily lifeHow food, stress, relationships, work and emotional wellbeing all influence our healthThe six tastes of Ayurveda and a simple approach to nutritional varietyWhy birdsong, nature and time away from our phones can help the body feel safeHow to begin living more Ayurvedically without following another restrictive regime This is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about paying attention, understanding your own body and choosing a few practices that genuinely support you. As Sam explains, health and healing are not simply things that are done to us. We can place ourselves at the centre of the conversation and develop the knowledge, autonomy and agency to make more informed choices. If you have ever wondered why a supposedly healthy practice leaves you feeling worse or you are exhausted by conflicting wellness advice, this conversation is for you. Listen now and join me again next week when I republish the second part of my conversation with Dr Sam Watts. We will go deeper into his book, The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer, and explore how Ayurvedic principles can support people living with and beyond cancer. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Sep 15

    Stop Doubting Yourself: The Daily Practice That Builds Real Confidence

    What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you can actually build? After spending time at Ideas Fest surrounded by brilliant entrepreneurs, speakers and big thinkers, I noticed something fascinating. Again and again, the difference between the people taking action and the people holding themselves back seemed to come down to one thing: self-belief. That little voice saying, Who am I to do this? What will people think? Why would anyone choose me? can stop us long before we ever find out what we’re capable of. In this solo episode, I’m sharing a brilliantly simple practice I first learned from self-made multimillionaire entrepreneur Lisa Johnson, designed to help you build genuine confidence from the inside out rather than relying on praise, reassurance or external validation. And this isn’t about repeating affirmations you don’t actually believe It’s about getting radically honest about who you are, recognising your strengths and abilities, acknowledging the bits you don’t love quite so much and learning to back yourself anyway. I also share a wonderfully simple morning mindset practice inspired by Gabby Roslin, plus a little Mel Robbins wisdom, that might completely change the way you start your day. In this episode we explore: Why so many capable people still struggle with self-beliefThe problem with depending on external validationA simple pen-and-paper exercise for building real confidenceHow limiting beliefs can quietly keep us playing smallWhy accepting your imperfections matters just as much as recognising your strengthsHow repetition can begin to change the story you tell yourselfA ridiculously simple morning practice to shift your energy before your feet even hit the floor If there’s something you’ve been wanting to start, say, create, change or put out into the world but you keep wondering whether you’re good enough to do it, this episode is for you. Because perhaps the question isn’t “Who am I to do this?” Perhaps it’s time to ask: “Why not me?” 🎧 Listen now and try the practice for yourself this week. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 8

    What Women Aren’t Being Told About Breast Health and HRT with Dr Nyjon Eccles

    What if we are beginning the conversation about breast health far too late? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr Nyjon Eccles, founder and clinical lead of The Natural Doctor, a Harley Street practice specialising in precision longevity medicine. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr Eccles works at the intersection of functional medicine, hormonal health, metabolic health and preventative oncology. Our conversation challenges some of the assumptions many of us have been given about breast screening, cancer risk and HRT and explores what a more preventative and personalised approach to women’s health could look like. We talk about: • The important difference between breast thermography and mammography • Why breast density matters, particularly for younger women • Whether women should begin monitoring their breast health before the age of 50 • What an abnormal thermogram may reveal before structural changes are detected • The relationship between nutritional deficiencies and breast health • The difference between synthetic, bioidentical and body-identical HRT • What women could ask their GP when discussing hormone replacement therapy • Why “normal” test results may not always mean optimal health • Functional medicine, longevity and finding the possible root causes of illness And stay until the end, because I ask Dr Eccles one final question: If he could place one piece of health advice on the wall of every GP surgery in the country, what would it be? His answer is remarkably simple and it may completely change the question you ask at your next appointment. Find Dr Nyjon Eccles: The Natural Doctor: https://thenaturaldoctor.org Substack: Precision Longevity This episode is for information and education only. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss changes to medication, HRT or supplements with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 1

    The September Reset Your Nervous System Actually Needs

    September can feel like a second New Year. The children go back to school, summer comes to an end and suddenly there is pressure to achieve everything we planned before Christmas. In this gentle welcome back episode, I’m talking about why we don’t need to launch ourselves into September at full speed and how that pressure can affect the nervous system. I also share some simple ways to support yourself through the change of season, from sleep, hydration and morning daylight to getting outside and returning to the breathwork practices from my Summer of Beautiful Breath series. Whether you are getting back into a routine, supporting anxious children or adjusting to someone leaving for university, this is your reminder to be kind to yourself and move into September at a pace that feels right for you. Follow Cancer Cured Me for more conversations about healing, nervous system regulation and living your best life. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Aug 25

    Beautiful Breath #5 | The Physiological Sigh

    When stress takes over and everything suddenly feels too much, it can be incredibly difficult to think your way back to calm. That is why I love the physiological sigh. It works directly with the body and it is one of the quickest and simplest breathing practices you can use in a stressful moment. In week five of my Summer of Beautiful Breath series, I’m sharing this powerful breathing technique, popularised by neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman and studied by researchers at Stanford Medicine. When the same breathing pattern is repeated for around five minutes, it is known as cyclic sighing. In a Stanford Medicine study, participants practised five minutes of structured breathing every day for one month. The exhale-focused cyclic sighing group showed particularly promising improvements in mood and reductions in resting breathing rate. In this short episode, I explain: • What the physiological sigh is • How to practise it safely • Why the second inhale matters • How a longer exhale can help calm the body • The difference between a physiological sigh and cyclic sighing • How repetition can make this tool easier to remember when you are under stress • A guided practice you can do with me This is such a useful technique to keep in your nervous system toolkit because you do not need any equipment, preparation or special environment. You simply need to remember: in, in, out. Please only practise when it is safe to do so and never while driving. Stop if you feel dizzy, light-headed or uncomfortable. If this episode helps you, please follow Cancer Cured Me and share it with someone who needs a simple way to find a little more calm this week. Research mentioned: Stanford Medicine’s cyclic sighing study WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Aug 18

    Beautiful Breath #4 | Build Stress Resilience

    A52 Breathing Method: Build Stress Resilience with 5-5-2 Breathwork Summer of Beautiful Breath Part 4: A gentle breathing practice to support nervous system regulation, heart rate variability and resilience to stress. Can a two-second pause help your body become more resilient to stress? In Part 4 of the Summer of Beautiful Breath, we build on last week’s coherent breathing practice with the A52 breathing method. The A stands for autonomic and 5-5-2 describes the breathing rhythm: Breathe in gently for five seconds. Breathe out for five seconds. Pause for two seconds after the exhale. That short pause creates a mild and manageable feeling of air hunger. By learning to stay calm with that sensation rather than immediately gasping for air, we can begin to build greater tolerance for physical discomfort and support a more regulated response to stress. If the pause doesn’t feel comfortable today, there is no need to force it. Simply return to the gentle coherent breathing rhythm of five seconds in and five seconds out from last week’s episode. Building capacity happens gradually. What the A52 breathing method isHow to practise the 5-5-2 breathing rhythmWhy we pause briefly after the exhaleUnderstanding carbon dioxide tolerance and air hungerHow slow breathing can support heart rate variabilityUsing breathwork to build resilience to everyday stressWhy nasal breathing may help us breathe more calmly and efficientlyA guided A52 breathing practice for beginners Save this episode so you can return to the practice regularly. Even a few minutes of slow, intentional breathing can give your nervous system a valuable opportunity to practise meeting mild discomfort without moving immediately into panic. Next week I will share another beautifully simple breathing tool designed to help you interrupt moments of panic and return to a greater sense of calm. Follow Cancer Cured Me so you don’t miss Part 5 of the Summer of Beautiful Breath. A gentle safety note: Practise somewhere safe and never while driving or in water. Stop and return to your natural breathing if you feel dizzy, breathless or uncomfortable. If you are pregnant or have a respiratory or cardiovascular condition, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before introducing breath holds. WORK WITH ME! Let’s go deeper 1:1: from private VIP Wellbeing mornings to ongoing or one off coaching Full details & booking here: www.lalaloves.com Insta:@cancercuredme Retreats: @lalalovesretreats CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY COTSWOLDS RETREAT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE HAPPY MONDAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Cancer may be in the title, but this podcast is about so much more than cancer. It is about what happens when life wakes you up and you decide not to go back to sleep. I’m Alex (La) Simms, and after an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis in 2017, I began questioning how I was living, what I was carrying and why I had spent so long putting myself last. Cancer became a catalyst, but the real story is everything that came next. On Cancer Cured Me, I have honest, uplifting conversations about healing, nervous system regulation, natural health, manifestation, spirituality, emotional wellbeing, purpose and midlife reinvention. You’ll hear from leading experts, remarkable people who have transformed their lives after illness or adversity, and from me as I share what I am learning along the way. This podcast is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck in survival mode or simply knows there must be more to life. Expect practical tools, powerful stories, warmth, humour and new ways to feel safer in your body, trust yourself again and create a life with more energy, joy, freedom and meaning. You shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis or a crisis to start living fully. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Alexandra Simms
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alexandra Simms
  • Show Website
    Cancer Cured Me

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