78. Running, resilience and breast cancer recovery with Josie Lloyd

What if running could help you heal? In this episode, Dr. Denise Millstine sits down with author Josie Lloyd and cancer rehabilitation expert Dr. Nandita Keole to explore the powerful intersection of breast cancer recovery and exercise through Josie’s uplifting novel The Bright Side Running Club. Inspired by her own diagnosis, Josie shares how journaling and joining a running group transformed fear into resilience and community, while Dr. Keole explains why movement—even during treatment—boosts strength, mood, and hope. Together, they remind us that thriving after cancer isn’t just possible—it starts with one step forward.


This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens. 


We talked with: 

• Josie Lloyd had been writing novels for twenty-five years. Mother of three daughters and a beloved dog, Ziggy, she lives in Brighton in the UK with her husband, Emlyn Rees. Together they have written seven internationally bestselling novels and their latest joint venture, You & Me & You & Me & You & Me is out in the US in February 2026. Josie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 after a routine scan. She wanted to read something positive, hopeful and uplifting about what she was going through, and so wrote 'The Cancer Ladies' Running Club' published in the states as 'The Bright Side Running Club'. She's also written the screen adaptation of her novel, which is in development as a feature film. When she's not writing, Josie loves travelling, cooking and is a keen sea swimmer and swims all year round no matter what the weather. She is also the patron of the charity Lobular Breast Cancer UK and regularly runs journalling and wellbeing workshops to help women going through a cancer diagnosis.
• Dr. Nandita Keole is a cancer rehabilitation physician at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. She teaches at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and is the current chair of the Arizona Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Purchase THE BRIGHT SIDE RUNNING CLUB:

• From Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-brig...{adgroupname}&utm_term=aud-1721779758455:dsa-19959388920&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12440232635&gbraid=0AAAAACfld40K-qPGIjaDXGw1g1W-r6hFk&gclid=CjwKCAiA0eTJBhBaEiwA-Pa-hdNCIlWYrbLDEaUIXdNArGyN_spPO7yUUcgFrOI51Ld7y_aHuw4qJRoCz58QAvD_BwE) .
• From Barnes & Noble (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...) . 

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The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not designed to replace the physician’s medical assessment and judgment. Information presented is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional medical assistance with specific questions pertaining to your own health if needed.