Fashion shows always made my heart pound. The pulsating beat of the runway music. The newest trends. The way the models would strut their stuff, almost like beautiful ponies. One foot in front of the other. The hair. The makeup. The paparazzi in the front row. I could go on and on….

Never did I imagine getting diagnosed with breast cancer, let alone create a brand like Cancer Fashionista that would allow my worlds to gracefully collide….with just the right blend of education, inspiration….and of course glamour.

We’re all women after all, right? Breast cancer or no breast cancer, it’s not always easy to stand tall every day. To conquer all of our challenges, especially when they’re often times health related and out of our control.

One of the biggest game changers for me in terms of boosting my confidence and truly understanding how to “strut through life” was when my dear friend and mentor Lolita Frazier taught me how to do the catwalk.

I was invited by none other than the amazing Dana Donofree of AnaOno Intimates to participate in her fashion show. I mean, an actual FASHION WEEK fashion show. The real deal. Breast cancer thrivers strutting their stuff in her beautiful post-mastectomy lingerie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was surreal. Scary. Amazing. Life altering. You know why? Because Lolita aka “The Runway Boss” and founder of Strut Talk Runway Therapy coached me as well as the other models. And the lessons that she brought to us go way beyond that runway. She taught us how to hold our chin up. Shoulders back. Chest Out. Core Tight. Your Mind Right. Not just on the catwalk. But in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I compare this experience to the moment that the Lion in the Wizard of Oz gets his courage. So, I thought to myself…. why not bring this same mind-blowing shift to all of you?!

Lolita and I had the unique opportunity to have an in-person reunion just a couple of months ago in Columbia, South Carolina. We had a great conversation about runway therapy, and how it’s beneficial for the body as well as the mind. She went on to explain how standing tall and having good posture is essential for the runway….and that good posture impacts your bone health.

This is when I had that a-ha moment! I was just beginning to formulate my bone health podcast series sponsored by Amgen, so bone health was top of mind. When Lolita drew this parallel between posture and bone health, I thought why not create a fun, interactive, program that incorporates bone health AND runway therapy?! That’s when the light bulb went off!

I thought, why not combine Lolita’s magical runway therapy with bone health education? So, this year for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we decided to officially launch a truly unique program called, “Strutting Your Way to Healthy Bones” where bone health meets the catwalk.

Lolita and I want to lift you up on days when you just don’t feel like yourself. Provide love, community, and support when you feel all alone or uncertain. Rebuild your confidence and self-worth that you’ve lost along the way. Educate you about posture and bone health and the importance of standing stall and strutting through it!

“Strutting Your Way to Healthy Bones” is a mind/body/soul journey, where one session builds upon the next.

Our very first session took place on Instagram Live on Friday, October 15th at 4pm EST. In case you missed it, you can catch it right here! Lolita and I literally turn your living rooms into virtual catwalks.

We shared some great bone health tips that you can practice every day. We also discussed the fact there are some effective preventative treatments out there, especially for those of us who have metastatic breast cancer. Thank you to @amgenbiotech for creating these options, as well as making this program possible.

Please be sure to join us next month for Episode #2, taking place on the @cancerfashionsta Instagram Live on Friday, November 12th at 4pm EST.

Now, let’s strut our way to healthier bones, one step at a time!