Breast Wise: Unafraid

Katherine Froggatt

There is a moment every woman with a breast cancer diagnosis knows. The appointments are booked, the treatment plan is set, but nobody has told her how to sleep, how to calm the fear at 3am, or how to feel like herself again. That is exactly what this show is for. Breast Wise: Unafraid is a podcast for women navigating breast cancer at every stage. Whether you have just been diagnosed, you are in treatment, or you have finished treatment and still do not feel okay, this show walks alongside you. Hosted by Katherine Froggatt, 10-year breast cancer thriver, Evidence-Based EFT Practitioner and Metabolic Health Coach, each episode covers the five areas your medical team will not cover: your nervous system, your metabolism, your fear, the survivorship gap nobody prepares you for, and what resilient remission actually looks like. A mix of solo episodes and honest guest conversations, all grounded in evidence and lived experience. Honest conversations of how to navigate this stage in your recovery. No fear-based messaging. No dogma. This is your chance at self-advocacy. You get a say in how this goes. New episodes drop fortnightly. Subscribe now and take the free Breast Wise Readiness Assessment at breastwise.co.nz to find out exactly where you are and what to focus on first.

  1. 2d ago

    The Body Remembers: Kinesiology and the Nervous System After Cancer

    After breast cancer treatment ends, the body can still feel on high alert. Katherine is joined by kinesiologist and wellbeing coach Alex Bowles for a gentle conversation about nervous system regulation, scan anxiety, emotional stress, and learning to reconnect with your body in breast cancer recovery. Together, they explore what kinesiology can look like in practice, why it can be hard to slow down after treatment, and the value of feeling safe, supported, and understood in the survivorship gap. Key takeaways: Why fear, anxiety, and physical tension can continue after breast cancer treatment has finishedA plain-language explanation of kinesiology and how Alex uses gentle muscle testing in her sessionsWhy nervous system regulation can be an important part of life after breast cancerA simple emotional stress-release practice Alex shares for meeting difficult feelings with awarenessWhy having one safe person or supportive community can make a difference during breast cancer recovery About Alex Bowles: Alex Bowles is a wellbeing coach, kinesiologist, and public speaker who supports women through every season of life. She is the founder of Shine Naturally and Director of the Academy of Healing Arts, where she is helping bring kinesiology to New Zealand. Having presented at kinesiology conferences, Alex brings both depth of knowledge and a warm, heart-centred approach to her work. Drawing on a range of kinesiology modalities, somatic work, quantum medicine, and vibrational remedies, she supports women to move beyond overwhelm, reconnect with themselves, and remember who they are. Alex offers both in-person and online sessions, as well as kinesiology masterclasses covering techniques for pain relief, energy, grounding, and connection. Links: Free Resilient Remission Assessment: breastwise.co.nz/resilient-remission-assessment Free 30-minute Clarity Call: breastwise.co.nz/clarity-call Breast Wise Website: breastwise.co.nz Breast Wise Instagram: @breastwisenz Alex Bowles / Shine Naturally Website: shinenaturally.co.nz Alex Bowles / Shine Naturally Instagram: @shinenaturally Alex’s Kinesiology Masterclass and Newsletter: Visit shinenaturally.co.nz to learn more and sign up Disclaimer: This podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare team before making decisions about your care.

    The Body Remembers: Kinesiology and the Nervous System After Cancer
  2. Aug 25

    Breast Cancer Recovery Nutrition: What Really Matters?

    What does metabolic health have to do with breast cancer recovery? Katherine is joined by GP and metabolic-health clinician Dr. Glen Davies for a grounded conversation about nutrition after breast cancer, reducing refined sugar and ultra-processed foods, healthy fats, protein, fasting, and finding an approach that fits your stage of recovery. They also discuss the importance of maintaining muscle, working with your healthcare team, and how knowledge, support and small choices can help restore a sense of agency after diagnosis. Key takeaways Metabolic health is a broader conversation than diet alone, including nutrition, fasting, muscle maintenance, emotional support and individual care.Reducing refined sugar and ultra-processed foods may be a practical place to begin when considering breast cancer recovery nutrition.A lower-carbohydrate approach is not one-size-fits-all; the level of restriction should be discussed in the context of treatment, recovery stage, weight and nutritional needs.Protein, healthy fats and resistance training are important considerations when protecting muscle mass during treatment or recovery.Fasting during chemotherapy is discussed as an individual decision that requires careful support from a qualified healthcare professional and cancer team.Understanding your body and asking informed questions can help reduce fear and build a greater sense of agency. Links Work with Dr Glen Davies / Reversal NZ Website: reversalnz.co.nz Book a consultation with Dr Glen Davies: reversalnz.co.nz/bookings Dr Glen Davies’ profile: reversalnz.co.nz/team/dr-glen-davies Breast Wise Free Resilient Remission Assessment: breastwise.co.nz/resilient-remission-assessment Free 30-minute Clarity Call: breastwise.co.nz/clarity-call Website: breastwise.co.nz Instagram: @breastwisenz Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team.

    Breast Cancer Recovery Nutrition: What Really Matters?
  3. Jul 29

    Breast Cancer, Cravings & Fear of Recurrence

    After a breast cancer diagnosis, it can feel like your body no longer trusts you. You reach for comfort, then feel guilty, then tell yourself you’ve failed again but this episode gently explains why that spiral happens and what your body may actually be asking for. Katherine shares the three shifts that helped her move toward steadier recovery without adding more rules or pressure. Main topics: - The impact of fear, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation post-diagnosis - How fight, flight, or freeze responses influence cravings and emotional health - Practical strategies to calm the nervous system for better recovery and wellbeing - The role of self-compassion, relaxation, and gentle movement in healing In this episode: - Why cravings intensify after a cancer diagnosis and why fighting them back can worsen how you feel - The physiological effects of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline on your body and mind - How the body's threat response deprioritizes digestion, sleep, and decision-making - The importance of nervous system regulation through breathwork, movement, and relaxation - Three actionable steps to support nervous system healing: prioritize relaxation, moderate exercise, and nourishing foods - The impact of sugar and alcohol on inflammation and treatment outcomes, explained in accessible language - The significance of self-compassion and understanding that food cravings are signals from your nervous system, not failure Links: Free Resilient Remission Assessment: breastwise.co.nz/resilient-remission-assessment Free 30-minute Clarity Call: breastwise.co.nz/clarity-call Website: breastwise.co.nz Instagram: @breastwisenz Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team.

    Breast Cancer, Cravings & Fear of Recurrence
  4. Jul 14

    Supplements, Inflammation & Energy After Breast Cancer: What Your Medical Team Didn't Tell You

    Most women leave treatment with a pamphlet and a checkout smile. What nobody explains is why fatigue can last for months, what cancer therapies strip from your cells, or which practical steps actually restore energy and reduce inflammation. Katherine interviews Lee Tan, a pharmacist with 30+ years’ clinical experience, a PreKure Master Health Coach in Lifestyle Medicine, Mental Fitness and Metabolic Health, and founder of Well + Being, an award-winning urban wellness centre in Dunedin. After witnessing the health system strain during the pandemic, Lee moved from conventional pharmacy to evidence-based wellbeing coaching. She brings clinical rigour and compassionate curiosity to the conversations that rarely happen in oncology clinics. Key takeaways: Three commonly depleted nutrients after cancer treatment: magnesium glycinate, vitamin D, and high-quality omega‑3, and why each matters for inflammation, immune health, and energy.Why supplement quality makes a difference: many low-cost fish oils and magnesium oxide have poor absorption or purity. Practitioner-grade brands often test for contaminants and use more absorbable forms.How chronic stress accelerates magnesium loss and why food alone may not meet needs during and after treatment.Why reducing inflammation requires a whole-person approach: emotions and stress have measurable effects at the cellular level.The starting point: self-awareness. Learning how your body responds physically, mentally, and emotionally lets you change that response and reclaim energy. Resources mentioned Fish Oil Products & Testing Standards (search for tested, practitioner-grade brands) Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) ExplainedMagnesium GlycinateVitamin D SupplementsOmega-3 Fish OilTraditional Herbs & Modern Usage (e.g., Ashwagandha & Rhodiola)Connect with Lee Tan LinkedInWell and Being Dunedin More from BreastWise: Free Resilient Remission Assessment: breastwise.co.nz/resilient-remission-assessment Free 30-minute Clarity Call: breastwise.co.nz/clarity-call Website: breastwise.co.nz Instagram: @breastwisenz Note: This episode is educational only and not medical advice. Always check supplements and care plans with your healthcare team.

    Supplements, Inflammation & Energy After Breast Cancer: What Your Medical Team Didn't Tell You
  5. Jun 30

    The Emotional Tidal Wave Nobody Warned Me About (And What Helped Me Survive It)

    Nobody hands you a guide for the emotional tidal wave that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis. Your surgeon explains surgery. Your oncologist walks you through chemotherapy. Your nurses hand you brochures. But no one sits down with you and says: here is what is about to happen inside your inner world. The grief that arrives without a name. The guilt that keeps you up at 3am, replaying every appointment you delayed and every symptom you dismissed. The fear that settles somewhere deep in your chest, long after the medical team has left the room. The anxiety of not knowing what the future holds when the future you imagined has suddenly been erased. And then, when all of that hits, the thought that something must be wrong with you for feeling it this way. Nothing is wrong with you. This is what Katherine experienced too. In this episode, she opens up about her own emotional journey through a breast cancer diagnosis, from the visceral fear and the quiet crushing guilt, to the moments of unexpected laughter and the nights when all she had were tears. She also breaks down what the neuroscience and research actually say about why feeling these emotions matters and why suppressing them has real, measurable consequences for your immune system and your recovery. This episode is not about having it all together. It is about understanding what is actually happening inside your body, and finding a place to start, however small that looks today. What you'll take away The emotions after a breast cancer diagnosis are not separate from your physical recovery. They are a physiological response to a genuine threat, not a personal failing or a sign of weakness.Suppressing emotions creates a measurable burden on your immune system, which is especially significant when your body is already navigating the demands of cancer treatment.Naming what you feel, out loud or on paper, actually reduces activity in the brain's threat centre (the amygdala) and supports your nervous system in moving out of fight, flight, or freeze.You do not need to manage, fix, or perform any of this. You just need to start letting it move through you rather than holding it all downSimple, accessible tools like box breathing (4 counts in, hold 4, out 6, hold 6) and one trusted person to be truly honest with can shift far more than you might expect.Emotional work is not a luxury for when you have extra time or energy. It is an essential, non-negotiable part of breast cancer recovery and it is never too late to begin. Links and resources Free Resilient Remission Assessment — breastwise.co.nz/resilient-remission-assessment Free 30-minute Clarity Call — breastwise.co.nz/clarity-call Website — breastwise.co.nz Instagram — @breastwisenz This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The experiences shared are personal and not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your treatment or care plan.

    The Emotional Tidal Wave Nobody Warned Me About (And What Helped Me Survive It)
  6. Jun 16

    When Anxiety Gets Stuck: Understanding Scanxiety, Fear After Breast Cancer, and How to Actually Heal

    If you have ever lain awake at 2am before a scan, heart pounding, mind spiralling into every worst-case scenario, you are not broken. You are not disordered. You are human. And this episode is going to change the way you understand what is happening inside you. In this conversation, Katherine sits down with Diante Fuchs, Clinical Psychologist, author of The Gift of Anxiety, and founder of The Unstuck Initiative, to talk about something that affects almost every woman navigating breast cancer: the anxiety that does not go away when treatment ends. Together they unpack why anxiety after a cancer diagnosis is not a mental health disorder but an ordinary response that has gotten stuck on itself, and why that distinction matters more than most women have ever been told. They explore scanxiety, the real, clinically recognised distress that builds before and after cancer-related imaging, and why treating it as just a feeling keeps so many women trapped in a cycle they cannot get out of. Research shows 73% of adults experience worry when thinking about routine cancer screenings, yet most are never given the tools to actually work with that fear rather than around it. This episode also covers: Why the strategies most women reach for when anxiety hits, including pushing through, suppressing feelings, and staying busy, often make things worse rather than better. The difference between ordinary anxiety and stuck anxiety, and why both deserve compassion rather than correction. Dee's EASE Method: four steps to move out of resistance and into genuine healing. The language trap: why saying "I should", "I have to", and "I must" quietly puts your nervous system into a stress response. What it actually looks and feels like when anxiety starts to shift. And the one thing Dee would say to a woman lying awake at 2am, days before her results come in. Katherine also shares her own experience of fighting her body through four rounds of the Red Devil, and the moment she finally stopped resisting and what happened when she did. This is not a conversation about managing anxiety. It is a conversation about healing it. Key takeaways: Anxiety after a cancer diagnosis is a normal, valid response. It becomes stuck when we layer fear on top of the feeling itself.Scanxiety is a recognised clinical experience, most intense in the waiting period between scan and results.Coping is not the same as healing. The EASE Method offers a different path.Swapping "I should" for "I could", "I have to" for "I get to", and "I must" for "I want to" gives your nervous system choice, and choice reduces threat.You have survived 100% of your worst days. Your nervous system just needs the evidence. Find Diante Fuchs: Instagram and TikTok: @ease.anxiety Website: theunstuckinitiative.com Book: The Gift of Anxiety

    When Anxiety Gets Stuck: Understanding Scanxiety, Fear After Breast Cancer, and How to Actually Heal

About

There is a moment every woman with a breast cancer diagnosis knows. The appointments are booked, the treatment plan is set, but nobody has told her how to sleep, how to calm the fear at 3am, or how to feel like herself again. That is exactly what this show is for. Breast Wise: Unafraid is a podcast for women navigating breast cancer at every stage. Whether you have just been diagnosed, you are in treatment, or you have finished treatment and still do not feel okay, this show walks alongside you. Hosted by Katherine Froggatt, 10-year breast cancer thriver, Evidence-Based EFT Practitioner and Metabolic Health Coach, each episode covers the five areas your medical team will not cover: your nervous system, your metabolism, your fear, the survivorship gap nobody prepares you for, and what resilient remission actually looks like. A mix of solo episodes and honest guest conversations, all grounded in evidence and lived experience. Honest conversations of how to navigate this stage in your recovery. No fear-based messaging. No dogma. This is your chance at self-advocacy. You get a say in how this goes. New episodes drop fortnightly. Subscribe now and take the free Breast Wise Readiness Assessment at breastwise.co.nz to find out exactly where you are and what to focus on first.