Life After Cancer: Challenge Yourself to Build Healthier Habits and Stronger Relationships

Turning Challenges Into Strength

When I was a young boy, I dreamt of being known for something that people would never forget. Through running, I learned how a skinny kid could be more than just an average kid. I learned to always challenge myself in high school, a few years before my cancer diagnosis. My coaches would say, “Push on this sprint, push on this hill, push in practice.” It was that push, push, push and challenge, challenge, challenge that made me what I am today. I am a person who doesn’t know failure or weakness. Typically, if I think it, I push it, and I succeed in it.

However, sometimes family relationships are the hardest challenges for me. As humans, we feel emotions. These emotions can manifest in the form of stress, anxiety and overthinking. Today, I declare October “Challenge Yourself Month!”

Prioritizing Family, Friends and Emotional Well-Being

I plan to be more attentive to the problems my family and friends face. I realize I can and will push and challenge myself to not only notice but also offer help or support. Challenge yourself to be aware of someone close to you who could benefit from your help.

Making Healthier Choices After Cancer

I remember getting cranky after binging on potato chips and pizza while taking college classes. My brain reacted to what I ate just as much as my body. Have you been feeling restless lately? Maybe it is something missing from your daily routine. Time is a valuable commodity after cancer. Challenge yourself to balance your time and eat healthier.

Embracing New Experiences and Meaningful Relationships

Don’t ignore something that’s random. Take time and inspiration to take the next step, and make sure that you expose yourself to new experiences. While recovering, I quit college and did not return to education until years later. Perhaps I should have tried new college experiences earlier. But I eventually earned that bachelor’s degree and experienced new relationships and new ideas in the classroom.

It is important to remember that relationships, casual or more intimate, can be essential to healthy growth during and after a cancer diagnosis. Challenge yourself to learn from a personal encounter. You may just find out more and learn more valuable lessons than you can imagine. I am a firm believer in building genuine relationships that will have an impact far beyond a single moment.

Finding Balance in a World of Constant Media

Back before this social media craze, people would just read the newspaper or watch television. Americans were not overwhelmed by the news or AI-generated stories. I was lucky. I learned about medical discoveries from my urologist, not a random “expert” with a large following.

One’s exposure to outside influences can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Our media is potent and powerful. I am a hopeless romantic who sometimes wants to turn off the world and be with those I love. I do believe that you can have too much media, like being overmedicated. Something about the sun shining while the world feels like it’s falling apart helps me get through the day.

Challenge yourself to cut back on social media usage, even just a little bit each week.

Sharing Your Goals and Planning for the Future

After cancer, my heart thumped hard against my rib cage. Some days I wanted to stand up and scream for help, and other days I wanted to lock my bedroom door and stay in the safety of my own room. I made sure my urologist knew what I wanted for my future and gave him updates each time we met.

Challenge yourself to share your dreams and future plans with someone who will hold you accountable.

A high school running coach once told me, “Nothing in the world is definite because it’s forever in a state of unrest, always changing, never staying still.” That one statement taught me to always challenge myself in life so I could keep up with the world around me.

Keep Moving Forward, One Challenge at a Time

Let us officially call out personal challenges and push forward with our goals for a healthier life. As always, here is an idea: The best time to learn what’s happening with your health is before it starts failing. Learn how lifestyle challenges this month can change your long-term health for the better.

Keep moving forward and keep taking life on in the way that you want to.

Happy days and good challenges!

Ciao Ciao!

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don't forget to subscribe to CURE®'s newsletters here.