From Recovery to Strength: Coaching and Exercise After Breast Cancer

Introduction and Context

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
• The episode explores how exercise and health coaching may support recovery and rebuilding after breast cancer.
• Hosted by Marie O’Connor (physiotherapist, Lymphedema Education Solutions).
• Guest: Andy Finestone (physiotherapist and health coach).

Challenges After Breast Cancer

• Recovery can involve more than completing treatment; it might also include rebuilding strength, confidence, and wellbeing.
• People may face barriers to returning to exercise, such as:
  • Fatigue, pain, and physical limitations.
  • Stress, anxiety, uncertainty, or sleep disruption.
  • Feeling overwhelmed or lacking confidence.
• Compared with the general population, those recovering from cancer may encounter additional challenges in integrating exercise into daily life.

Potential Role of Health Coaching

• Health coaching, particularly informed by neuroscience, can sometimes help bridge the gap between recommendations and actual engagement.
• Coaching may support sustainable change by:
  • Helping people connect exercise with personal meaning or wellbeing.
  • Encouraging small, achievable steps to build confidence and momentum.
  • Emphasising enjoyment and social connection, which may support adherence.

Insights from Neuroscience

• The brain naturally seeks safety and energy conservation, which can sometimes make starting or maintaining exercise challenging.
• Andy uses an analogy of “red balls” (cortisol/stress) and “green balls” (feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin) to illustrate how stress and reward systems can influence motivation.
• Strategies that may help balance these neurochemicals include:
  • Managing stress and internal chatter.
  • Recognising and reflecting on personal values to increase motivation (“value tagging”).
  • Focusing on small wins to stimulate the brain’s reward system.

Practical Approaches Suggested in the Episode

• Mind-body practices, like mindful breathing or sensory-focused exercises, may help calm the nervous system and bring attention to the present moment.
• Small, enjoyable activities can reinforce positive neurochemistry and support motivation.
• Reflecting on “why” an activity matters personally may help maintain engagement over time.
• Visual cues or reminders of personal goals may be helpful.
• Tools such as the “Wheel of Life” can be used to explore different areas of life and identify where gentle changes could be made.

Considerations for Health Professionals

• Recovery may benefit from a holistic approach, considering both physical and mental wellbeing.
• Supporting someone’s exercise journey could involve:
  • Exploring mental health needs alongside physical rehabilitation.
  • Using grounding or mindfulness techniques before discussing goals.
  • Recognising individual differences in capacity, values, and pace.
• Collaboration between health professionals and coaches may provide complementary support for clients.
• Exercise can be considered an important part of overall cancer management alongside medical treatments.

Key Takeaways

• Exercise may play a significant role in recovery but integrating it into daily life can look different for each person.
• Health coaching informed by neuroscience may provide insights into sustaining motivation and enjoyment.
• Recovery can offer an opportunity to reflect on life priorities, values, and long-term habits.
• Combining clinical care with supportive coaching approaches may help people move from simply surviving toward thriving and rebuilding wellbeing.