Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Vera Ventura.
Vera Ventura earned her bachelor's degree at Skidmore College and a master’s at Harvard University. A former public school teacher, she is a certified life coach and yoga instructor focusing on cancer-influenced mindset coaching, non-toxic living, chemotherapy detox, nutritional healing, and bridging the gap between Western medicine and natural/plant healing.
Vera specializes in guiding patients through their radical remission journey, which she experienced when she was being treated for stage IV metastasized breast cancer. She is also a brain tumor and terminal brain cancer survivor and is currently being treated for thyroid cancer, which she also expects to beat.
Vera lives in Boston with her husband, Joe, and their two children. Her organization, Breast Cancer Goddess, is a nonprofit community that aims to enrich the mind, body, and spirit in the face of breast cancer. Please visit www.breastcancergoddess.org.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
I hold degrees from Skidmore College and Harvard University. I have two children and previously maintained a satisfying career in education and yoga instruction until I developed Stage IV metastasized breast cancer. That cancer went into radical remission, but other cancers followed, including a brain tumor, terminal brain cancer, and – currently – thyroid cancer.
Living with multiple cancers and their various treatments moved me to shift my focus toward those with similar experiences. Today, I run Breast Cancer Goddess, a support community comprising more than 2,200 persons with cancer. I am also a certified coach focusing on cancer-influenced mindset, non-toxic living, chemotherapy detox, nutritional healing, and bridging the gap between Western medicine and natural/plant healing.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
I left public school teaching in 2016 to spend more time with my young children and forge a new path in holistic health, yoga, and meditation. In addition, I continued my discipline of not eating processed flour and sugar.
In 2019, when I was diagnosed with an aggressive genetic cancer, my new career path of holistic health & healing provided a strong foundation for my own healing. What's most interesting is that I felt guilty leaving teaching because it provided financial stability. Yoga & Meditation teaching doesn't pay the bills. However, it was the best thing for my soul.
Walking through Breast Cancer, Brain Tumor, Brain Cancer, and now thyroid cancer, I am grateful for the path I have chosen. In addition, I started a non-profit dedicated to the enrichment of the mind, body, and spirit in the face of cancer.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Right out of college, I started a videography business where I would shoot and edit various productions, especially weddings.
One time, I told a bride I missed capturing her bridesmaids walking down the aisle because I was busy micing up the groom.
She went crazy and proceeded to say horrible things about me and my business throughout the day. She brought me to tears several times. I learned in this experience not to take her mean words personally. She was projecting her fear upon me and causing unnecessary emotional pain. It was a practice of letting go and implementing the teachings from the book The Four Agreements by Don Luis Ruiz. One of the four agreements is not to take anything personally.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better well-being? Please give an example or story for each.
1 . Learn from others; you don't have to reinvent the wheel. For cancer and other major diseases, I recommend the book Radical Remission by Dr. Kelly Turner.
2 . Learn about the power of fasting. The body can heal itself, and this is the first step.
3 . Detox from processed flour, Processed sugar, Alcohol, and caffeine. They are all addictive substances and can have adverse effects on the body, especially immunity.
4 . Focus on gratitude and surround yourself with love. If you are surrounded by toxic people, that can create stress in the body that can manifest into diseases, such as cancer.
5 . Start practicing yoga, meditation & exercise. Research has shown that yoga, meditation, and exercise are incredible for the immune system and can have powerful effects on healing and stress reduction.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I started a non-profit dedicated to enriching the mind, body, and spirit in the face of cancer. We provide weekly continuing education for women diagnosed with cancer, including classes such as Mind/Body Unity and Radical Remission. In addition, our private Facebook group of 2700 members offers additional teachings on subjects such as intimacy, fasting, and cancer nutrition.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
1. I wish I knew about the healing powers of fasting during chemotherapy (and in general) because fasting can mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy.
2. I wish I knew about the healing powers of fasting for general cancer healing.
3. I wish I knew about the healing powers of green juicing for cleaning out the liver and body.
4. I wish someone had told me to bring a heating blanket and tea when wearing the cold cap. (The cold cap helps save your hair during aggressive chemotherapy).
5. I wish I knew not to eat during chemotherapy as my body focused more on digesting than repairing.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
They are all important to me, but if I were to pick one, it would be mental health. I am part of the Mindfulness Lab at Harvard University, started by the "Mother of Mindfulness" Dr. Ellen Langer. Based on her research, the mind and body are inextricably linked. Manifestations in the mind can dramatically affect the health of the body.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my journey and insights! I look forward to continuing to inspire and support others in their health journeys.
