September 29, 2025
Hi Friends,
Three years after my diagnosis, I’m learning that true healing isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about what we carry. I just arrived in Phoenix, where I’ll be spending the next five days at a retreat focused on healing past trauma. The facilitators here believe that “what is not healed in the mind plagues the body, hides the heart, and weighs heavy on the soul.”
Several of the doctors I’ve consulted with since my lung cancer diagnosis three years ago agree: while trauma itself doesn’t “cause” cancer, living for decades in fear, anxiety, and stress can suppress the immune system and create the perfect environment for disease. My friend and colleague, Dr. Matt Lederman, first introduced me to this idea and has spoken about it several times on my show.
Western medicine rarely acknowledges this connection, but nearly every holistic practitioner I’ve seen views trauma as a significant factor in both illness and recovery. And since I’ve had the other pillars of lifestyle medicine—diet, sleep, exercise, sunshine, community, and avoiding risky substances—dialed in for years, it feels like time to finally face what has been eating me, not just what I’ve been eating. Stress management has been the one missing piece for over 65 years.
In my books, I’ve only shared the “Disney version” of my childhood trauma. To truly heal, I need to face those demons head-on and do what Chris Wark of Chris Beat Cancer told me when I was first diagnosed: forgive everyone. Easy, right? 🤣
While I’ll always believe food matters, I also believe there’s more to illness—and healing—than diet alone. After all, I had been vegan for 45 years, and eating a “Goldhamer A+” plant-perfect diet for 15 years, when my cancer was discovered.
If you’re still skeptical, I encourage you to watch my recent interview with Dr. Lissa Rankin about Mind Over Medicine:
I’ll share a full report on the retreat in next week’s update.
💉 Medical Update
On Tuesday I had my 5th Keytruda infusion at Stanford.
I’m holding up three fingers—because it’s been three years since my tumors were discovered, and I’M STILL HERE! 🎉
This time I was dosed by weight, so I’m praying for fewer (or no) side effects. And here’s some exciting news: the FDA just approved Keytruda to be given by injection—a much quicker and easier process than traditional infusions.
🐾 Shiloh Update
Our sweet pup Shiloh is coming out of his shell—he made new friends at our monthly potluck this week. 💕
Love & Kale, Chef AJ.