At 24, Cancer Sparked My Calling
At just 24 years old, Maddy was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma: an unexpected event that changed everything. Now 31, she’s a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach using her experience to guide others post-treatment toward healing through holistic nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and alignment.
In this episode, Maddy opens up about the challenges of facing cancer as a young adult, including the fear of recurrence and the gaps in nutritional support after treatment. She shares how her journey led her to discover the power of whole-person care and how she now walks alongside clients as they reclaim their health and purpose.
From navigating fear to finding peace, Maddy offers meaningful insights, practical tools, and an encouraging reminder: there truly can be light on the other side of cancer. Her story is one of purpose, passion, and hope, especially for young adults seeking guidance after a diagnosis.
Whether you're newly diagnosed, in recovery, or supporting someone you love, Maddy’s journey will speak to your heart.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About the Guests:
Maddy Pollack: a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Diagnosed at 24, her cancer journey sparked a passion for whole-body healing. Today, she helps clients, including many cancer survivors, restore balance through personalized nutrition, movement, and mindfulness practices.
Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book . The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook .
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
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