In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam sits down with Emma — physiotherapist, speaker, host of When Life Gives You Lemons, and breast cancer survivor.

Emma shares how a tiny symptom after a run led to her diagnosis during lockdown, why exercise became a lifeline through treatment, and how movement helped her feel connected to herself during an incredibly uncertain time. She also talks openly about mastectomy, reconstruction, body confidence, gratitude, and learning to live more presently after cancer.

This is a conversation about self-advocacy, trusting your gut, asking again when something doesn’t feel right, and finding the confidence to keep pushing — even when it feels uncomfortable.

Emma’s story is full of honesty, strength and perspective: from treatment and recovery to podcasting, public speaking, and training for an Ironman.

A reminder that courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s facing what’s in front of you, one step at a time.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam speaks with Viktoria, an award-winning breast cancer nurse specialist and global leader in breast cancer care.

With over two decades working alongside people affected by breast cancer, Viktoria shares what it means to offer care that is not only clinically expert, but deeply human. From the vital role of breast care nurses, to the emotional weight of diagnosis, the pressures within the NHS, health inequalities, breast awareness, metastatic breast cancer, and the impact of small moments of connection — this conversation explores the care behind the care.

Viktoria also reflects on courage, the importance of meeting people where they are, and why sometimes the most powerful support happens in the smallest, most ordinary moments.

A thoughtful, honest and generous conversation about nursing, awareness, advocacy and the people at the heart of breast cancer care.

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Helena is a three-time breast cancer survivor whose story opens up a powerful conversation about treatment, trauma, identity and self-advocacy. In this episode, she shares what it was like navigating three diagnoses, the mental toll that followed, and the reality of facing a system that did not always see or support her properly. It is honest, sharp, funny in places, and a vital reminder that cancer care is not experienced equally by everyone.

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, Sam speaks with acupuncturist, researcher and author Beverley de Valois about the role acupuncture can play in cancer care and survivorship. They explore how it can support people through treatment and beyond, from managing hot flushes, fatigue, anxiety and nausea to improving quality of life after a diagnosis. It’s a thoughtful, practical conversation about supportive care, lived experience and the need for better awareness of what can help after treatment.

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Shirley was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, before facing a recurrence five years later in 2020. In this honest conversation, she reflects on reconstruction, body image, family support, living with uncertainty, and what courage really looks like when cancer becomes part of your story. It’s a warm, open episode about resilience, vulnerability and learning to live fully in the in-between.

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Juliet was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago — a routine mammogram that changed everything. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she made a decision that surprised her medical team: she chose not to reconstruct. Instead, she fought for symmetry, autonomy, and the right to live in a body that felt honest to her.

In this powerful episode, Juliet shares the emotional and physical reality of living with one breast, the long battle to be heard by her surgeon, and the relief she felt when she finally woke up flat. We talk about informed consent, medical culture, body image, advocacy, and why visibility matters for women who choose a different path.

This is a conversation about courage — not just surviving cancer, but insisting on choice, dignity, and self-definition

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In this episode of Cups & Courage, we sit down with Charlayne — clinical nurse specialist, breast care nurse, and co-founder of a charity supporting young women with breast cancer. With over 40 years in nursing, Charlayne shares what it truly means to walk alongside people at the most frightening moments of their lives.

We talk about vulnerability as courage, the shock of diagnosis, information overload, and the quiet but vital role breast care nurses play as translators, advocates, and anchors. Charlayne opens up about building support where none existed, creating safe spaces for young women, and why recovery is about far more than finishing treatment.

We explore the gaps that still remain — support for children, partners, intimacy, and life after cancer — and the small acts of care that make a lasting difference.

This is a conversation about compassion in practice, the power of being seen, and the courage it takes to hold space for others every single day.

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When Carly was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 37, it wasn’t her first encounter with cancer. With a family history of breast cancer and an unexpected discovery of the BRCA1 gene mutation, her diagnosis unfolded fast — from swollen lymph nodes to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction.

In this deeply honest conversation, Carly shares the reality of navigating an aggressive diagnosis, making treatment decisions, advocating for the right medical team, and undergoing major surgery during lockdown. She talks openly about fear of recurrence, learning to live in a changed body, grief, humour, resilience — and the unexpected ways cancer reshaped her identity.

We explore genetic testing, BRCA awareness, patient advocacy, mental health after treatment, preparing for surgery, and why joy, play, and self-compassion became essential parts of survivorship.

A conversation about courage that’s quiet, real, and hard-won.

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