A new year often comes with pressure to set goals, do more, and fix ourselves. But when you’re living with metastatic breast cancer, that framework can feel exhausting — and disconnected from reality.
In this New Year episode, we talk about a different way forward. One that starts by asking a more honest question:
What do I need this year?
Because when cancer doesn’t reset on January 1st, the goal isn’t reinvention — it’s living.
We explore:
Why living with metastatic breast cancer is already enough
Letting go of “shoulds” and redefining progress
Shifting from performance to presence
Creating anchors instead of rigid routines
Trusting what your body and life are asking for right now
Why rest matters — and why engagement still does too
This is an honest, grounded conversation about living well with metastatic disease — without pretending it’s easy, and without waiting for life to begin “after.”
You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
And you don’t need to fix yourself to deserve a meaningful life.
Living is the goal.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
📩 Follow along on Instagram & YouTube: @imstillherepodcast
💛 Mindset resources and guides available at heatherjose.com
After 27 years of living with metastatic breast cancer, I attended the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium for the first time — not knowing what to expect, or even if I would feel like I belonged.
What I found was something I didn’t realize I’d been missing: connection, affirmation, and a growing movement focused not just on survival, but on living well with metastatic disease.
In this episode, I share:
What it was like attending SABCS as a patient advocate
Why quality of life matters just as much as treatment advances
How patient advocacy is evolving — and where I see myself in it
What it means to finally feel like these are my people
This conversation is about belonging, purpose, and using our voices — especially for those living with metastatic breast cancer who are navigating life beyond the early days of diagnosis.
If you’re living with cancer, supporting someone who is, or wondering how to keep moving forward when the path feels uncertain, this episode is for you.
If you’re looking for practical, compassionate support for living well with cancer, you can find my guides here:
👉 Guides & Resources: https://shop.heatherjose.com/all-guides
Each guide can stand alone, and many people choose more than one to support different phases of their journey.
📸 Instagram: @heatherjose
🌐 Website: https://heatherjose.com
🎙 Podcast: I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer
If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might need it.
Episode DescriptionResources & SupportConnect With Me
In this powerful episode, Larry and I go back to the week in December 1998 that changed our lives forever. What started as a routine appointment just before the holidays quickly became a devastating spiral of tests, unanswered questions, and the phone call that revealed I had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at only 26 years old.
We share:
The moment my doctor noticed something was wrong
The shock of hearing “It’s cancer” days before Christmas
The traumatic appointment where I was told to get my affairs in order
How a second oncologist offered hope and completely changed my prognosis
What those early days of fear, uncertainty, and survival really felt like
How this diagnosis became the foundation for the life and mission I have today
If you’re navigating a new cancer diagnosis, living with metastatic breast cancer, or supporting someone who is, this honest conversation is for you. This is the story I wish I could have heard back then — a story about fear, resilience, terrible doctors, life-saving doctors, and the spark of hope that carried me forward.
27 years later, I’m still here. And I want you to know that hope is real.
The holidays hit different when you’re living with cancer. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Heather and Larry talk about the emotional weight of the season — the pressure to make everything perfect “just in case,” the anxiety that comes with big family gatherings, and the guilt of not being able to keep up with old traditions.
They dive into boundaries, expectations, caregiver dynamics, and the internal struggle of wanting to savor the moments while also feeling overwhelmed by them. From navigating relatives’ questions to simplifying holiday plans to protecting your energy, this episode is full of validation, humor, and practical ways to make this season more manageable.
If you’re dealing with metastatic breast cancer — or supporting someone who is — this one will help you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.
Available Now!
👉 Break the Cancer Spiral – Heather’s 15-minute guide to reset your mindset anytime life feels overwhelming
You can grab Heather’s new 15-Minute Reset guide and her 5 to Thrive series at https://shop.heatherjose.com/stop-the-cancer-spiral
🎧 About the Podcast:I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer is hosted by Heather and Larry Jose. Each week, they share honest, hopeful conversations about living fully with cancer — the messy, meaningful, real-life parts of survivorship that don’t always make it into the brochure.
🌐 Connect with Heather:
Website: HeatherJose.com
Instagram: @heatherbjose
Facebook: Heather Jose
YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
Podcast available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
To Life! 💚Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who could use a little calm and encouragement this holiday season.
In this episode, Heather opens the door to a conversation many people living with metastatic cancer think about privately — but rarely speak aloud:
You are allowed to live.
You are allowed to plan ahead.
You are allowed to imagine a future that is yours.
Heather shares how, at 26, she was told her life would narrow — that cancer meant shrinking dreams, shorter plans, smaller horizons. Twenty-seven years later, she is proof that life doesn’t end where statistics suggest it should. It unfolds. It evolves. It can even expand.
Inside this episode, we explore:
🌿 Rejecting statistics + choosing your own story
🌿 The clarity cancer brings: what matters vs. what doesn’t
🌿 Why planning isn’t denial — it’s hope in motion
🌿 Living your life instead of the one others expect
🌿 Releasing guilt, comparison, and shrinking to fit
🌿 Mary Oliver’s question that changes everything:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
This is your invitation to dream again — to think about 2026, the future you desire, and the everyday steps that move you toward it. Cancer may have changed your path, but it does not get to own your future.
Available Now!
👉 Break the Cancer Spiral – Heather’s 15-minute guide to reset your mindset anytime life feels overwhelming
You can grab Heather’s new 15-Minute Reset guide and her 5 to Thrive series at https://shop.heatherjose.com/stop-the-cancer-spiral
🎧 About the Podcast:I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer is hosted by Heather and Larry Jose. Each week, they share honest, hopeful conversations about living fully with cancer — the messy, meaningful, real-life parts of survivorship that don’t always make it into the brochure.
🌐 Connect with Heather:
Website: HeatherJose.com
Instagram: @heatherbjose
Facebook: Heather Jose
YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
Podcast available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
To Life! 💚Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who could use a little calm and encouragement this holiday season.
Episode Description:
The holidays are a mix of joy, chaos, and endless temptation — which makes it easy to say, “I’ll just start over in January.” But what if you didn’t have to throw in the towel?
In this episode, Heather and Larry talk about how to stay intentional, flexible, and grounded through the holiday season — without giving up all the things you love. From choosing simple non-negotiables to moving your body (even a little), eating like you love yourself, and focusing on connection over perfection, they share what really helps you feel good through the busiest time of year.
You’ll laugh along as they banter about color-coordinated outfits and cookie cravings, but you’ll also walk away with seven doable commitments that can keep you steady — and make January feel a whole lot easier.
In this episode:
Why waiting for January to “start over” doesn’t work
The small, realistic habits that help you stay grounded
Handling food, movement, and rest without guilt
Letting go of perfection and choosing connection instead
How to enjoy the holidays and feel good in your body and mind
Available Now!
👉 Break the Cancer Spiral – Heather’s 15-minute guide to reset your mindset anytime life feels overwhelming
You can grab Heather’s new 15-Minute Reset guide and her 5 to Thrive series at https://shop.heatherjose.com/stop-the-cancer-spiral
🎧 About the Podcast:I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer is hosted by Heather and Larry Jose. Each week, they share honest, hopeful conversations about living fully with cancer — the messy, meaningful, real-life parts of survivorship that don’t always make it into the brochure.
🌐 Connect with Heather:
Website: HeatherJose.com
Instagram: @heatherbjose
Facebook: Heather Jose
YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
Podcast available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
To Life! 💚
Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who could use a little calm and encouragement this holiday season.
When your mind starts spinning with fear, what-ifs, and worst-case scenarios, how do you stop it? In this episode of I’m Still Here, Heather and Larry talk about the “cancer spiral” — that flood of anxious thoughts that shows up at diagnosis and sometimes never fully leaves.
Heather shares how her new guide, Stop the Cancer Spiral: The 15-Minute Reset, was born out of her own experience of living with metastatic breast cancer for more than 25 years. Together, they break down what the spiral really is, why your brain defaults to it, and how you can interrupt it — in just a few minutes — using practical mindset tools that work in real life.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment, or simply overwhelmed by everyday stress, this conversation will help you calm your mind, challenge your thoughts, and find your footing again.
💬 You can grab Heather’s new 15-Minute Reset guide and her 5 to Thrive series at https://shop.heatherjose.com/stop-the-cancer-spiral
🎧 About the Podcast:
I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer is hosted by Heather and Larry Jose. Each week, they share honest, hopeful conversations about living fully with cancer — the messy, meaningful, real-life parts of survivorship that don’t always make it into the brochure.
🌐 Connect with Heather:
Website: HeatherJose.com
Instagram: @heatherbjose
Facebook: @HeatherJose
YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
Podcast available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
Finding balance isn’t about perfection — it’s about learning what works for you. In this episode, Heather and Larry dig into the daily juggling act of work, health, and real life while managing metastatic breast cancer. They talk about scheduling versus spontaneity, energy management, and how both structure and grace play a role in living well long-term.
Heather Jose was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer at age 26 and has been thriving for more than 25 years. Through her podcast I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer, she shares honest conversations, hope, and practical ways to live fully — no matter what life looks like.
💬 Connect with Heather:
Instagram: @heatherbjose
Facebook: Heather Jose
YouTube: I’m Still Here Podcast
Website: www.heatherjose.com
Hashtags:
#ImStillHerePodcast #MBCStrong #MetastaticBreastCancer #CancerMindset #WorkLifeBalance #LivingWellWithCancer #HeatherJose #CancerCommunity
What you say about yourself matters. In this solo episode, Heather shares 10 powerful “I Am” statements to help you shift from fear and frustration toward strength, peace, and purpose — even while living with cancer.
These statements aren’t about denial; they’re about defining yourself on your own terms. From choosing peace over panic to nourishing your body with care, this conversation will help you remember who you are beyond your diagnosis.
✨ Listen in for:
10 “I Am” statements to help you live fully with cancer
Practical ways to protect your energy and peace
Why words shape mindset — and mindset shapes healing
Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that they are more than their diagnosis. 💗
🎧 Connect with Heather:
Instagram: @heatherjose
YouTube: @ImStillHerePodcast
Website: HeatherJose.com
#ImStillHerePodcast #HeatherJose #LivingWithCancer #CancerMindset #MetastaticBreastCancer #IAmStatements #HopeAfterCancer #MindsetMatters #FaithOverFear #ChoosePeace #LiveFullyWithCancer
Let’s Talk About Sex – After Cancer
After cancer, everyone tells you “you look great”—but looking fine isn’t the same as feeling whole. In this candid, funny, and deeply honest conversation, Heather and Larry talk about what intimacy really looks like after diagnosis and treatment: grief over a changing body (and lost fertility), reconstruction that “looks” like breasts but doesn’t feel like them, early menopause, fear, shame, and how they slowly rebuilt connection.
They share the practical stuff that helped—clear boundaries, encouragement and praise from a partner, scheduling intimacy, using vibrators to reduce dryness and re-awaken sensation, and giving each other permission to learn by trial and error. If you’ve ever wondered how to move from surviving to fully living—including in the bedroom—this one’s for you.
We cover:
Appearance vs. reality: looking “okay” while feeling disconnected
Reconstruction + sensation loss, and naming what doesn’t work
Grieving fertility and redefining womanhood
Partner role: encouragement, praise, patience, teamwork
Practical tools: communication, timing, scheduling, lube, vibrators
Keeping humor alive when things get awkward
Content note: frank discussion of sex, bodies, vibrators, and intimacy after cancer.
✨ Connect with Heather:
Website: heatherjose.com
Instagram: @heatherjose
Facebook: Heather Jose – I’m Still Here
YouTube: I’m Still Here Podcast
Podcast: I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Never Stop Starting Over
After a great appointment and scan results, Heather and Larry sit down to talk about what it really means to “start over”—again and again. From rebuilding strength after treatment to figuring out how to fit workouts into real life, this conversation is about giving yourself grace, finding motivation, and remembering that progress doesn’t have to be perfect.
Heather shares insights from her oncologist about why building muscle and strength matter more than the number on the scale, and Larry brings his coach’s perspective on how to reset goals, stay consistent, and keep moving—no matter what stage of life (or health) you’re in.
💪 Whether you’re in treatment, recovering, or just trying to get back on track, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to begin again.
📲 Connect with Heather
🌐 Website: www.heatherjose.com
🎙️ Podcast: I’m Still Here
📺 YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
📸 Instagram: @heatherbjose
💼 LinkedIn: Heather Jose
This week, I’m catching you up on a whirlwind of scans, cancer center conversations, and the realities of living with metastatic breast cancer. From the relief of a smoother PET scan experience to the anxiety of reading results in my chart, I’m sharing how I navigated the ups and downs—and what it taught me about listening to my body, setting boundaries, and choosing strength over stress.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of scanxiety, the frustration of red tape in cancer care, or the struggle to put yourself first, this episode is for you.
🎧 New here? I’m Still Here is a weekly podcast about resilience, hope, and living fully with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
📲 Connect with me: Instagram @heatherbjose | YouTube @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #Scanxiety #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer
After more than 25 years of treatment at the same small-town hospital, Heather shares how changes in systems and processes have stripped away what once made her infusion experience bearable—the human connection. In this candid conversation, Heather and Larry unpack how rigid procedures, check-ins, and hoops designed to satisfy administrators can leave patients feeling like numbers instead of people.
They talk about:
The difference compassionate nurses and personal relationships make in patient care.
How “systems” often prioritize efficiency and liability over humanity.
Why being seen and treated as a person—not just a patient—matters so much.
Practical advice on advocating for yourself when the system feels stacked against you.
Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode is a reminder that true healing goes beyond medicine—it’s about dignity, respect, and human connection.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living fully with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
📲 Connect with Heather: Instagram @heatherbjose | YouTube @ImStillHereCancer
Living with metastatic breast cancer is exhausting—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It never takes a day off, and sometimes you just wish you could too. In this episode of I’m Still Here: Lessons from Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer, Heather explores the very real longing to take a “vacation” from MBC.
You’ll hear why the constant weight of appointments, scanxiety, side effects, and even other people’s expectations can feel overwhelming—and why it’s perfectly normal to want a break. More importantly, you’ll discover small but powerful ways to give yourself permission to rest, escape, and find peace, even if cancer never fully leaves the room.
💡 If you’ve ever thought, “I just need one day without cancer,” this episode is for you.
👇 New to the podcast? Here’s what we’re all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
After a summer break, Larry is back on the mic! In this week’s episode, we reflect on the journey of I’m Still Here so far, share our hopes and dreams for what’s ahead, and invite you—our listeners—to help shape the future of the podcast. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or you’re just tuning in, we’d love your feedback and ideas for the conversations and tools you want to hear next.
👇 New to the podcast? Here’s what we’re all about:
I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:
Instagram: @heatherbjose
LinkedIn: /heatherjose
YouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
🌟 Sensational Survivor Series Meet incredible women who have been living with metastatic cancer for 10 years or more. These candid conversations reveal what long-term survivorship really looks like—filled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Their stories challenge assumptions and inspire us all to believe in what's possible. This week we are featuring Terlisa Sheppard. Terlisa has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 23 years. You can follow her on Instagram @terlisafights or on Facebook, Terlisa Sheppard
👇 New to the podcast? Here's what we're all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
🌟 Sensational Survivor Series Meet incredible women who have been living with metastatic cancer for 10 years or more. These candid conversations reveal what long-term survivorship really looks like—filled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Their stories challenge assumptions and inspire us all to believe in what's possible. This week we are featuring Kelly Shanahan. Kelly has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 12 years. She is the current president of MetaVivor.
👇 New to the podcast? Here's what we're all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
🌟 Sensational Survivor Series Meet incredible women who have been living with metastatic cancer for 10 years or more. These candid conversations reveal what long-term survivorship really looks like—filled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Their stories challenge assumptions and inspire us all to believe in what's possible. This week we are featuring Melissa Haberl, she has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 20 years.
👇 New to the podcast? Here's what we're all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
🌟 Sensational Survivor Series Meet incredible women who have been living with metastatic cancer for 10 years or more. These candid conversations reveal what long-term survivorship really looks like—filled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Their stories challenge assumptions and inspire us all to believe in what's possible. This week we are featuring Kim Builta, she has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 15 years. Kim has a blog at www.builtalife.com, Instagram handle is @builtalife, Facebook: Kim Thomas Builta
👇 New to the podcast? Here's what we're all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience
🌟 Sensational Survivor Series Meet incredible women who have been living with metastatic cancer for 10 years or more. These candid conversations reveal what long-term survivorship really looks like—filled with wisdom, grit, and hope. Their stories challenge assumptions and inspire us all to believe in what's possible. This week we are featuring Gillian Burles, she has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 20 years. Gillian is active on on Facebook and Instagram @frostbittwiceshy
👇 New to the podcast? Here's what we're all about:I’m Still Here is a weekly show hosted by Heather Jose, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for over 25 years. Alongside her husband Larry, Heather shares real conversations and mindset tools to help you navigate cancer, care for your mental health, and live fully—no matter your diagnosis.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on resilience, hope, and living well with cancer.
💡 Explore tools for thriving: www.heatherjose.com/products
🏡 Free retreats for people with breast cancer: Little Pink Houses of Hope
📲 Connect with Heather:Instagram: @heatherbjoseLinkedIn: /heatherjoseYouTube: @ImStillHereCancer
#MetastaticBreastCancer #SurvivorStories #LivingWithCancer #CancerSupport #ThrivingWithCancer #HopePodcast #CancerResilience