Shannon Miller knew how to push through pain, pressure, and impossible odds. Then cancer taught the seven-time Olympic medalist that some things simply can’t be outworked.

In Episode 8 of Big C Energy, Olympic gymnastics legend Shannon Miller joins Alison Haislip for an honest conversation about being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in her 30s, undergoing surgery and nine weeks of chemotherapy, and discovering that the mindset that made her an Olympic champion didn’t always translate to being a cancer patient.

Shannon opens up about the symptoms she initially overlooked, the moment she realized asking for help was a strength rather than a failure, and the long road back after chemotherapy. She and Alison also compare chemo brain, hair and eyebrow adventures, nausea, and all the other things cancer does that are, quite frankly, just rude. Now 15 years cancer-free, Shannon shares how the experience reshaped her approach to health, gratitude, community, and helping other patients through Salto Health (https://www.saltohealth.com/).

Topics discussed:

• Shannon Miller’s rare ovarian cancer diagnosis

• The ovarian cancer symptoms she initially overlooked

• Why there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer

• Going from Olympic athlete to cancer patient

• Why Shannon says you can’t “outwork” cancer or chemotherapy

• Surgery and nine weeks of BEP chemotherapy

• Learning to ask for and accept help

• Nausea, neuropathy, hair loss, and chemo brain

• Returning to Olympic commentary after treatment

• Life 15 years cancer-free

• Creating Salto Health to support people during cancer treatment

• Prioritizing health and appreciating everyday milestones

▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/o_SBROPattg

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #ShannonMiller #OvarianCancer #CancerSurvivor #CancerPodcast #Gymnastics #Olympics #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer

Marissa Jaret Winokur was 27, newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and fighting for doctors to listen to her. At the same time, she was fighting for the role that would change her career.

In Episode 7 of Big C Energy, Tony Award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur joins Alison Haislip for a hilarious and deeply honest conversation about being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer, advocating to have the cancer removed from her body, and secretly navigating treatment while pursuing the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.

Marissa shares why she kept her diagnosis private for years, how cancer changed her relationship with ambition, and why winning the Tony was ultimately just a bonus compared to making it to Broadway. She and Alison also talk about fertility, surrogacy, motherhood, the people who unexpectedly show up when you’re sick, and the importance of being proactive about your own health. And more than 20 years later, Marissa explains why she finally decided to make her cancer story part of her platform.

Topics discussed:

• Marissa Jaret Winokur’s cervical cancer diagnosis at 27

• Fighting to have doctors listen to her treatment wishes

• Pursuing Hairspray while secretly dealing with cancer

• Why Marissa kept her cancer diagnosis private

• Winning a Tony Award after cancer

• Fertility, hysterectomy, surrogacy, and motherhood

• How friends and family show up during cancer

• The importance of Pap smears and proactive health care

• Getting second opinions and advocating for yourself

• Processing cancer after active treatment ends

• Finding purpose in sharing your cancer story

• Life more than 20 years after diagnosis

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #MarissaJaretWinokur #Hairspray #CancerSurvivor #CervicalCancer #CancerPodcast #Broadway #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer #CancerAwareness

Rob Paulsen has spent his career giving a voice to some of animation’s most beloved characters. Then throat cancer threatened the very thing that made his career possible.

In Episode 6 of Big C Energy, legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen joins Alison Haislip for a hilarious, heartfelt conversation about his stage III throat cancer diagnosis, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and finding humor when things were at their hardest.

Rob reflects on being told that his doctors could cure him, but would “almost have to kill” him first, and how his ability to laugh became part of the medicine that carried him through treatment. He and Alison also discuss second opinions, trusting your gut when choosing doctors, the unexpected kindness of strangers, and why surviving cancer gave Rob an even deeper appreciation for the characters and fans who have shaped his life.

And yes, the voice behind Yakko, Pinky, Raphael, and Donatello brings a few familiar voices along for the ride.

Topics discussed:

• Rob Paulsen’s stage III throat cancer diagnosis

• Chemotherapy and radiation treatment

• How cancer threatened his career as a voice actor

• Finding humor during cancer treatment

• Why second opinions matter

• Trusting your gut when choosing your medical team

• Life after throat cancer and treatment side effects

• The impact of Animaniacs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• Connecting with fans and children facing serious illness

• Using kindness and humor to help others

• Head and neck cancer awareness and resources

▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/pcfHrwEb7Ao

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/

Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time.

Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown

Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story

#BigCEnergy #RobPaulsen #CancerSurvivor #ThroatCancer #CancerPodcast #Animaniacs #NinjaTurtles #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer