The Mindful Living: Self-Advocacy, Resilience, and a Realistic Path to Healing
A Conversation with Perseverance Expert Allison Pazuk
Sometimes, life drops the whole stadium on your head. For Allison Pazuk, that moment came with a cancer diagnosis. But instead of just following the standard prescription, she chose to "go bonkers," uncovering a radical new blueprint for self-advocacy and resilience.
In this powerful episode with host Avik, Allison shares her journey from initial shock to becoming the CEO of her body.
From Diagnosis to Determination: Choosing the Uncharted Path
[02:13] When Allison received her diagnosis, her mind immediately pivoted from shock to research. She quickly realized that the Western medical definition of a "long-term survivor" (five years) was not enough. She sought out true, long-term cancer survivors to identify patterns in their healing journeys.
[05:21] Her research revealed a universal truth: Every single survivor implemented strategies in addition to traditional treatments. These strategies formed a holistic approach, focusing on three key areas:
Fuel for the Body: Diet and supplementation (like therapeutic fasting and high-dose Vitamin C).
Focus for the Mind: Mindset and meditation to manage stress.
Healing the Soul: Listening to inner intuition and embracing personal growth.
This awareness—that she had a responsibility to act on her own behalf—is what drove her to develop her signature framework.
The BONKERS Framework for Overcoming Obstacles
The word "BONKERS" represents the overwhelm and confusion one feels when facing a catastrophic challenge. Allison transformed that feeling into a strategic framework—a tool that can be used to overcome any obstacle, not just a cancer journey.
[09:05] Brave - Be brave and courageous. Confront authority (doctors, family) and ask the tough questions until you understand.
[09:26] Open - Be open to new ideas. Find mentors or survivors on the other side of your challenge and listen to their non-traditional suggestions.
[09:48] Nonconforming - Blaze your own path. Recognize that society's or a doctor's protocol is based on their perspective, not necessarily your unique needs. It's okay to choose your own way.
[10:33] Kickass - Be a source of power. Recognize yourself as a powerful force blazing your future and believing in your own strength.
[10:52] Emotional - Give yourself grace and love. Look in the mirror and genuinely say, "I love you." Acknowledge your emotions—this is where deep healing begins.
[11:46] Resilient - Believe in your inner strength. Resilience is not just about grit; it's about being able to stand up when no one else is cheering for you.
[12:12] Self-Advocacy- Be the CEO of your body. This is the non-negotiable. Own your choices and experiences without apology. You are the only person responsible for your ultimate path to healing.
The Sacred Blend of Healing
[17:08] Allison emphasizes that her approach is not a conspiracy theory against the medical community. Instead, it’s about finding that "genius point" where the medical community (traditional medicine) and holistic eastern medicine intersect.
By using methods like fasting to complement chemotherapy, she focused on making her immune system whole first. The physical strategies paved the way for her to focus on the deeper work of healing her soul and overcoming the resentment and trauma that may have contributed to her illness.
Allison’s story is a powerful reminder that strength is informed courage—it's not blind optimism, but a willingness to question, to feel, and to keep choosing, even when the choices are terrifying.
Find out more about Allison's journey in her book, Going Bonkers with Cancer.
