What does strength look like when your world gets flipped upside down? When you’re staring at a devastating diagnosis and fear threatens to end everything?

Giving up on your health journey is tempting, but gritting through while wearing a facade is equally tempting, too.

This episode...Wow. It may be one of the most incredible interviews I’ve had the honor of doing. It’s one of those conversations where you have to just sit and think for a while afterward because it impacts you that much.

I’m talking with Marnie Clark, a 54 year old mom who’s a former blogger and influencer in the sobriety world. But just recently she had to pivot and completely re-examine life and priorities after she was give a very surprising stage IV cancer diagnosis. She’s now on a mission to bring awareness to her type of cancer, the importance of good health and fitness, and this whole darn, scary, difficult journey.

I ask her some really tough questions, she shares some of the darkest moments of this journey, how she has felt supported the most by those around her, and we talk about what it means to be strong and brave right now.

We cried, we laughed, we talked about the goodness of God. Put this one on repeat, friend. You’re going to love my friend Marnie.

Here are some of the questions I was able to ask Marnie in this interview: 

Can you describe the chain of events that led to your cancer diagnosis?

• (side note: Do you feel like being someone that was already healthy and in tune with her body helped you notice the physical changes you were experiencing?)

Talk about the process that unrolled after your diagnosis. (surgery)

What has it been like to be in “recovery” mode? What are some of the things that you’re doing to help heal your body?

Cancer and Fear are two words that seem to go hand in hand. Throughout this process, what has fear looked like for you? Has it been evolving? In what ways has it forced you to lean on God?

What does “Being Strong” mean for you right now?

Sometimes, when we discover that someone we love receives a big medical diagnosis, we get paralyzed and don’t really know what to do or how to support them best. What are the best ways that your friends and family have been supporting you?

How would you inspire and encourage someone that might be at the very beginniner of her own massive medical diagnosis?

What is the biggest thing that has surprised yourself about YOU this last year?

More Resources

Read more about Marnie’s story on her Caring Bridge blog: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marnieclark

Follow Marnie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marnieraec/

Follow Megan on Instagram

‍