When she was three years old, Betty Ehrlich lost her mother to breast cancer. Today, Betty is herself a three-time cancer survivor. Her daughter Elaine has been by her side through all three struggles. The duo shared what they’ve each learned and how prayer and positive thinking have proven powerful weapons in all of Betty’s cancer battles. Special thanks to Baptist Health for being our Community Champion sponsor for this episode and the Alabama Department of Public Health for being our Supporting Sponsor! To find out more about Baptist Health, visit their website: baptistfirst.org and visit alabamapublichealth.gov for more info on ADPH. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

Our favorite trio of personal trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott) is back and this time they are answering the questions you wanted us to ask! Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim asks the group questions about topics like how young is too young to start weight training, what are those stretchy bands that athletes use, why are kettle bells so popular, are vitamins really necessary, if is it okay to work out with an injury and much more! Special thanks to Baptist Health for being our Community Champion sponsor for this episode and the Alabama Department of Public Health for being our Supporting Sponsor! To find out more about Baptist Health, visit their website: baptistfirst.org and visit alabamapublichealth.gov for more info on ADPH. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

After learning about her hereditary risk of cancer when she was working in Montgomery as weekend anchor for WAKA-TV (where we got to know her), Joy made the decision to undergo a series of preventative surgeries to lower both her breast and ovarian cancer risks. As she puts it “I’ve spent much of my life watching those I love battle cancer, many wins, some losses. I consider myself fortunate to know that battle runs through my genes.” A double mastectomy and full hysterectomy later, she still experiences discomfort along with the scars that chronicle her journey. Through it all, she has not shied away from sharing her struggles publicly. So why did she choose this path?  “It was an easy decision,” she says. “I chose my husband, I chose my kids and hopefully a long healthy future with them. I am so thankful to have had this choice to make.” It’s is a story about family, courage and making those hard choices that define you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

Is counting calories that important? What about those at-home workouts? What is clean eating? Can you still workout while you're pregnant? Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim makes another visit to the gym to talk to our trio of trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott) to get the scoop on these questions and much more. Get ready to have your preconceived ideas about nutrition and fitness dispelled as you learn the correct way to lose weight, how exercise fits in to a healthy lifestyle, the importance of blood flow and why your Apple Watch may not be telling you the whole truth! Special thanks to Baptist Health for being our Community Champion sponsor for this episode! To find out more about Baptist Health, visit their website: baptistfirst.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

What's more important: nutrition or exercise? Why would a personal trainer gain over 30 pounds on purpose? Can't I just work out at home? We tackle all these questions, and so much more, on this episode! Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim is joined by a trio of trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott) who share a wealth of information such as the best way to lose weight, why discipline is more important than motivation and why you always trust the science! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

Tina Hodge has been dealing with breast cancer for almost 30 years--just not as a cancer survivor. Tina has provided compassionate leadership to clinics in the central Alabama area (and continues to do so) and has helped guide countless women and men through their breast cancer journeys. When she was diagnosed with a genetic predisposition for cancer, Tina made the decision to undergo a series of surgeries to reduce her risk of developing the disease. She shares with us what led to that decision and how her late husband Boyd (along with many others) helped her make the decision to become a "pre-vivor" and supported  her every step of the way. It's a journey full of family, fun and, believe it or not, fishing! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

What keeps us going for one more day? To answer that, Joy to Life co-founder Joy Blondheim and Program Director Jackie Butler talk with two people who know first hand about the trials and triumphs of providing breast health services to those in Alabama who desperately need it but are not equipped to pay for it. Nurse Supervisor Sarah Shelton (from Marshall county) and Regional Screening Coordinator Jackie Wilson (from the Wiregrass) share their experiences in dealing with patients who are fearful and unsure about their physical health (as well as stressed about the cost of receiving the healthcare they need) and the difference that Joy to Life has made for so many by providing financial assistance for needed procedures along with life-changing knowledge that comes with a diagnosis. Even during a pandemic, breast health services are not only necessary, they are critical and Joy to Life makes it possible for many who would never be seen to be diagnosed and treated--one day at a time. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

When Janet picked up a Joy to Life breast self exam shower card during a visit from Ohio to Alabama's Gulf Coast, she never imagined that it would be instrumental in saving her life! Having never been one to perform self exams, Janet let the card sit for a while before heeding its message. Little did she know how the information on that card would change her dramatically. If you'd like to know more about Janet's breast cancer journey (along with much more about her life), she's written a memoir that you can download and read free of charge here: http://www.willkefamily.com/Family-Faith-Travel-Memoir-Janet-Bolton.pdf --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

When Scott and Beth got married, they knew that they wanted to start a family. Unfortunately, breast cancer made them take a few detours on their journey. Through it all, their courage became an inspiration to everyone they came in contact with. Theirs is a story of how to look at even the biggest challenges in your life as just an "oops bump" (as Beth would call it) and move past them toward your ultimate goal. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message

While it doesn't get talked about very much, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. Chappy's Deli owner David Barranco knows this only too well. Of course, being treated for a disease that typically only effects members of the female population brings with it a whole new perspective on life and faith. Over the years since his diagnosis and treatment, David has shared his story with many audiences and that is why we asked him to join us here--so hopefully more men will hear his message of early detection and take the necessary steps to make sure that their breast health is taken seriously. The lessons he has learned on his journey are lessons we all can benefit from and , believe it or not, we can actually laugh together through it all! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/joy-to-life-foundation/message