128: Empty Tanks and New Diagnoses: Why Emotional Health Is Non-Negotiable | Ivelisse Page

Ivelisse Page, executive director and co-founder of Believe Big, returns to share what's happened since her last appearance in 2022. After reaching a breaking point of burnout in ministry, she took an unexpected sabbatical guided by a spiritual director through Soul Shepherding, learning to rest, set boundaries, and reconnect with God through childlike faith. But just as she was healing, she received a new diagnosis: stage 1A endometrial cancer, completely separate from her prior colon cancer. Caught unusually early, she opted for surgery and avoided further conventional treatment. Ivelisse reflects on the profound lesson that physical health alone isn't enough; emotional and spiritual wholeness matter just as much. She also updates listeners on the exciting progress of the mistletoe clinical trial at Johns Hopkins (now moving toward Phase 2 enrollment) and the vision for the Believe Big Institute of Health, a future integrative cancer care center she describes as "the St. Jude's of integrative medicine."HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

Christian artist and songwriter Tim Timmons was given five years to live over two decades ago. Today, he's still waking up and marking each morning with an X on his wrist to prove it. In this conversation with host Jim Mann, Tim shares how a diagnosis of incurable cancer didn't become his story, but rather the soil in which a richer, more present faith grew. From the unexpected origins of the hit song "Even If," to his philosophy of breathing prayers and joining Jesus in the everyday, Tim offers a perspective that is equal parts honest and life-giving. Whether you're in the middle of a health crisis, a valley of your own, or just going through the motions, this episode is a reminder that today, just today, is the gift.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

In this episode, Jim sits down with Al Sanchez, an engineer-turned-health advocate who represents Poly MVA, a nutraceutical designed to support cellular energy production. Al shares how losing his mother and sister to illness set him and his father on a lifelong journey exploring alternative and integrative health therapies.Al breaks down complex concepts like mitochondria and metabolism in plain language, explaining why cellular energy is at the root of everything from immune function to brain clarity. He makes the case for what he calls "common sense medicine", addressing the basics like hydration, nutrition, sleep, stress reduction, and movement before reaching for pharmaceuticals.The conversation covers the role of Poly MVA in supporting mitochondrial function, how stress silently undermines our health, why animals offer powerful proof of supplement efficacy (no placebo effect!), and how lifestyle choices can actually change the expression of our genes. Al also warns listeners to steer clear of internet "miracle cures" and stick to therapies with a proven track record.A practical, energizing conversation full of relatable analogies, from cars to plants to kindergartners, that makes the science of healing genuinely accessible.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

What happens when a breakthrough cancer discovery threatens the pharmaceutical industry? In this episode, we sit down with Sylvie Beljanski, daughter of renowned French molecular biologist Dr. Mirko Beljanski, whose pioneering research at the Pasteur Institute in the 1980s identified plant extracts capable of targeting and destroying cancer cells, without harming healthy ones. She shares the remarkable science behind her father's work on destabilized DNA, the shocking government raid that destroyed his laboratory after President Mitterrand's recovery, and her decades-long mission to carry his research forward through the Beljanski Foundation. From Columbia University clinical trials to groundbreaking studies on cancer stem cells, this conversation covers the cutting edge of integrative oncology and offers hope, practical advice, and a reminder that healing is possible even when conventional medicine falls short.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

Nate Sheets never planned to revolutionize the honey industry; he just bought a beehive as a newlywed hobby. But what started as weekend beekeeping in his parents' backyard became Nature Nate's, America's largest honey company. In this inspiring conversation, Nate shares how a $10,000 purchase on payment terms, combined with 17 years of customer conversations (his phone number was on every bottle!), led him to create the raw and unfiltered honey sector that transformed a stagnant $300 million industry into a thriving $1.5 billion market. From 12 years in full-time ministry to entrepreneurial success, and now running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Nate's journey demonstrates the power of faithfulness, divine timing, and staying open to God's unexpected plans. Plus, discover the remarkable health benefits of honey, nature's perfect food.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

This episode continues our conversation with Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, who overcame childhood health challenges to achieving success in figure skating displays the value of resilience and perseverance. Scott shares his unique story as an adopted child, along with a humorous recollection of an early ice-skating mishap that nearly stopped his career before it even began.⁣⁣Scott is an Olympic Champion, cancer survivor, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, author, husband/father and eternal optimist! During his figure skating career, Hamilton’s list of achievements includes his Olympic gold medal, over 70 titles, awards, and honors. In 1990, Hamilton was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and in that same year, he became a member of the World Figure Skating⁣ Hall of Fame.⁣⁣⁣Following his mother’s passing and his own survival of stage 3 testicular cancer, Hamilton launched the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship) in 2014, with a mission to improve cancer patient survivorship by supporting world class cancer research and the highest quality patient treatment and care. The same year, he founded the⁣ Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, in partnership with the NHL’s Nashville Predators, at Ford Ice Centers in Antioch, Bellevue and Clarksville, TN,⁣ to offer students programs to help them fall in love with ice skating.⁣⁣In a world full of complex cancer treatment decisions, understanding your choices is crucial. We stress the importance of being informed and seeking advice from multiple medical experts to understand the variety of options available. Our discussion touches on the holistic approach to health, including lifestyle changes and the life-changing impact of clean water. Discover how HealingStrong offers hope and support for those facing cancer, with strategies to rebuild the body, renew the soul, and refresh the spirit.  Embracing the idea of cancer as a blessing may seem counter-intuitive, yet can lead to resilience and a deepened faith. Find hope with your own empowering journey, and find your own path to healing and strength.⁣⁣Learn more about Scott HEREHealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

A revisit!!! The Olympics happening right now in Italy 2026 has encouraged us to share this two-part interview with you one more time, to give you a chance to hear it for the first time, listen again and share it with others.This episode features a conversation with Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, who overcame childhood health challenges to achieving success in figure skating displays the value of resilience and perseverance. Scott shares his unique story as an adopted child, along with a humorous recollection of an early ice-skating mishap that nearly stopped his career before it even began.⁣⁣Scott is an Olympic Champion, cancer survivor, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, author, husband/father and eternal optimist! During his figure skating career, Hamilton’s list of achievements includes his Olympic gold medal, over 70 titles, awards, and honors. In 1990, Hamilton was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and in that same year, he became a member of the World Figure Skating⁣ Hall of Fame.⁣⁣⁣Following his mother’s passing and his own survival of stage 3 testicular cancer, Hamilton launched the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship) in 2014, with a mission to improve cancer patient survivorship by supporting world class cancer research and the highest quality patient treatment and care. The same year, he founded the⁣ Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, in partnership with the NHL’s Nashville Predators, at Ford Ice Centers in Antioch, Bellevue and Clarksville, TN,⁣ to offer students programs to help them fall in love with ice skating.⁣⁣Embracing the idea of cancer as a blessing may seem counter-intuitive, yet can lead to resilience and a deepened faith.⁣⁣Learn more about Scott HEREHealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

In this episode, we share how Maria faced an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis, a sudden riding accident, and the pressure of quick medical decisions, then chose a personalized path focused on internal terrain, mindset, and the support from a community. The conversation turns heavy truths into practical steps for strengthening hope through her journey.This episode covers:• diagnosis shock and the rush of appointments• questioning conventional protocols and statistics• reframing health as terrain, not just tumors• raw vegan phases, detox, oxygenation, and gut repair• hyperthermia, hydrogen, vitamin C, and mistletoe• lab markers versus scans and reading mixed signals• personalization through sensitivity testing• the emotional and spiritual connections of illness• building sustainable routines at home• the power of a HealingStrong community support groupAll HealingStrong local and online support groups are FREE and open to those walking a cancer journey, anyone caregiving, or those desiring prevention. Go to healingstrong.org to find a group near you, an online group, or start your own. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give us a five star rating, leave an encouraging comment, and help us spread the word.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

If you have not listened to episode 119, part 1 of Dan's interview, you can click here and listen there first: Episode 119 Dan Cook part 1Dan Cook, a HealingStrong Group Leader, is a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor, healing consultant, and advocate for faith-based natural healing. After undergoing surgery and choosing to forgo chemotherapy and radiation, he turned to God for guidance and transformed his health through diet, lifestyle, and environmental changes, successfully eliminating all signs of recurrent disease within a year.⁣⁣Today, Dan shares his journey through Dan’s Cancer Healing Story, http://myhealingquest.com , and the My Healing Quest podcast. He also writes and produces music as Lyrics by DMC, with all healing-focused songs available for free on Bandcamp and streaming across major platforms. As co-leader of HealingStrong Victor Valley, Dan empowers others to embrace hope, take charge of their health, and discover their own path to healing.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org

Dan Cook, a HealingStrong Group Leader, is a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor, healing consultant, and advocate for faith-based natural healing. After undergoing surgery and choosing to forgo chemotherapy and radiation, he turned to God for guidance and transformed his health through diet, lifestyle, and environmental changes, successfully eliminating all signs of recurrent disease within a year.⁣⁣Today, Dan shares his journey through Dan’s Cancer Healing Story, http://myhealingquest.com , and the My Healing Quest podcast. He also writes and produces music as Lyrics by DMC, with all healing-focused songs available for free on Bandcamp and streaming across major platforms. As co-leader of HealingStrong Victor Valley, Dan empowers others to embrace hope, take charge of their health, and discover their own path to healing.HealingStrong's mission is to educate, equip and empower our group leaders and group participants through their journey with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and know there is HOPE. We bring this hope through educational materials, webinars, guest speakers, conferences, community small group support and more.Please take advantage of our FREE resources below to help you along your health and healing journey:Support Group DirectoryHolistic Curriculum - Participant GuideSupport Our Mission - DonateAdditional Health ResourcesListen to Previous EpisodesWebsite: healingstrong.org