Moving Beyond Surviving: Healing Cancer’s Emotional Impact Through Outdoor Adventures and Community w/ Dr. Kelly McLean, (breast cancer specialist)

Moving Beyond Surviving: Healing Cancer’s Emotional Impact Through Outdoor Adventures and Community w/ Dr. Kelly McLean, (breast cancer specialist)

Author: Dr. Brad Miller May 9, 2025 Duration: 32:38

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier are joined by Dr. Kelly McLean, a specialist in breast and melanoma cancers, to discuss life beyond cancer treatment. Dr. McLean and her husband, Tom Tressler, co-founded Move Beyond Surviving, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer survivors navigate life's emotional and physical aspects after treatment.

Dr. McLean explains how surviving cancer isn’t just about medical recovery but also about adjusting to a new way of life. She shares her inspiration for Move Beyond Surviving, encouraging participants to explore physical and emotional healing through adventure therapy. By taking cancer survivors on outdoor expeditions like backpacking, rock climbing, and white-water rafting, the organization helps them rediscover strength and resilience. The program allows participants to challenge themselves physically, face their fears, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Deb Krier, a stage four breast cancer survivor herself, highlights the emotional journey that survivors go through, even after being declared "cancer-free." Dr. McLean reflects on how getting outside, disconnecting from technology, and engaging in physical activities like hiking and rock climbing provide peace and allow cancer survivors to process their emotions and feel empowered once again.

Throughout the episode, Dr. McLean emphasizes the importance of community support and encourages listeners to take one day at a time in their recovery journey. She also discusses the need for Move Beyond Surviving to expand its outreach to more survivors in different areas and invites people to join their events.

This episode reminds us that while cancer may change a person’s life, it doesn’t have to define it. With the right support system and mindset, cancer survivors can thrive and regain their sense of self through physical activity, community, and adventure.

Dr. Kelly McLean’s Links:

●  Website: movebeyondsurviving.org


Brad Miller’s Links:

Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/


There's a particular kind of alchemy that happens when serious things meet sincere laughter, and that's the space where you'll find Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor. Hosted by Dr. Brad Miller, this podcast emerged from a deeply personal place. Fresh into retirement after 43 years as a pastor, Brad received a prostate cancer diagnosis during the Christmas season of 2022. His instinctive reaction-to laugh as a way to keep from crying-sparked a mission. Each episode is built on the belief that those touched by cancer are not done living, and that facing the grim with a grin is a powerful form of resilience. You'll hear conversations that blend candid stories from the cancer journey with a genuine, often surprising, sense of humor. It’s not about dismissing the difficulty, but about discovering pockets of light and levity within it. Brad brings his unique perspective as both a longtime spiritual guide and a current patient, creating dialogues that are as educational about mental and physical wellness as they are uplifting. This isn't a lecture; it's a companionable audio experience for anyone seeking to fortify their spirit with hope and an honest, sometimes healing, laugh. Tune in for a podcast that redefines strength, proving that coping can be a creative, and even comedic, act of self-improvement.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor
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