In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life and inspiring journey of Risa August, a multifaceted individual based in Colorado, USA. Risa wears many hats - she's a Gestalt practitioner, a captivating speaker, an author, and a passionate patient advocate. Her story is one of resilience, marked by her decade-long battle with a pituitary tumour and a rare disease, Acromegaly.
Risa shares candidly about her experiences, offering profound insights into overcoming adversity and embracing life with unparalleled vigour.
Risa's journey into the realm of personal transformation began with her participation in Ironman races, a testament to her fierce determination and love for physical challenges. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she started noticing troubling symptoms, eventually leading to a diagnosis that altered her life trajectory. Despite facing daunting health challenges, Risa's spirit remained unyielding as she navigated through surgeries, treatments, and the complexities of managing a chronic condition.
In her book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, Risa eloquently chronicles her courageous cross-country bicycle journey, symbolising her refusal to let adversity define her.
Throughout our conversation, Risa reflects on how her perspective on life and adventure has evolved, emphasising the importance of embracing new experiences and pushing beyond perceived limits. Her insights into removing limiting beliefs and fostering a positive mindset resonate deeply, offering profound lessons for anyone navigating their own challenges.
Join us as Risa shares her story of resilience, adventure, and the transformative power of embracing life fully, no matter the obstacles. Get ready to be inspired by her unwavering spirit and her profound wisdom gained through living a life unleashed.
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Show notes
Who is Risa
Based in Colorado, USA
Working as a gestalt practitioner, speaker, author and patient advocate
Her passion for learning
‘CANI’ - Constant And Never-ending Improvement
The connection with Tony Robbins
Growing up in Cleveland Ohio and her early years
Taking herself on adventures
Being inspired by her dad and a buffalo head nickel
How the meaning of adventure has changed over the years
Why adventure means - learning and experiencing something new
Setting out a timeline
2011 - completing her first Ironman race
Starting to notice changes in her body
Fast forward 7 years and training for another Ironman.
Not being able to recover and not being able to keep the weigh off
Plus dealing with severe headaches and lack of sleep
Pushing for an MRI of her brain
Being diagnosed with an enlarged pituitary and a brain tumour
Looking at brain surgery and being diagnosed with a rare disease - Acromegaly.
Processing and working through the diagnosis
Having a mindset of getting it done and moving on with her life
Waiting 3 months for surgery
Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly.
Being very conscious of what goes into her body
Radiation or medication?
Feeling very lonely even while being supported
Battling orthorexia in her 20s
Not being able to exercise and spend time in the outdoors
Deciding to ride her bicycle down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
Looking back on her adventurous life and remembering what it felt like
Starting to paint and how it became an outlet
Instead of focusing on what she couldn’t do - focusing on what she could do
What can I do now?
Small steps, one thing at a time.
Stopping judging herself and blocking out the noise from other people
Getting back to the CrossFit gym
Acceptance around her identity and how it’s changed
Signing up for a semi supported tour on the PCH
SAG - Support And Gear
Book: The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike
Reflecting back on the ride and some of the magical moments
Trying to control situation and outcomes and how the universe has a completely different plan for you
Being open to what’s possible
To be open to letting go of limiting beliefs
Why it was a massive learning experience
Being present and spending time in the moment
Naming her brain tumour and the reason behind it
Being kind to her body
Adding humour to her situation and how it can change perspective - especially during dark moments
Her prognosis and being on medication to control the tumour
Dealing with the uncertainty of her future
Making big changes in her life
Divorcing after an 18 year marriage
Letting go of people and things in her life, that no longer felt in alignment
Creating a list of all the things she wanted to do, or try
Stepping more into who she wants to be
Being unpolished, unapologetic and unleashed
Getting up, getting back in the saddle and doing it.
Taking it each day at a time
Choosing to cycle the Camino de Santiago in Spain
The realities of the camino and why it wasn’t like she imagined
Why it was a spiritual journey
Challenges on the journey and wanting to quit
What do I need to do, to make this work
Finding moment of joy even through she physically struggled
Wanting to be alive
Being realistic about adventures and challenges
Handing the frustrations and challenges
The next adventure…. And having multiple options
Recovery after the camino
How to connect with Risa
Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who are going through a tough time
Ask yourself ‘what CAN (Capable - Able - Now) I do’
Social Media
Website: www.risaaugust.com
Instagram: @risaunleashed
Facebook: @risaunleashed
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/risaaugust
Substack: @risaunleashed
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