I walked into the center stage four and I was like I've got to make peace

that I passed away and I'm here over three years later and I know deep down it's because of the integrative

component. Welcome to the new balanced bites podcast. I'm your host Liz a

nutritional therapy practitioner and best-selling author bringing you candid, myth-busting,

and thought-provoking conversations about food, fitness, and life.

Remember, the information in this podcast should not be considered personal, individual, or medical advice.

Today's episode is all of the things. It is difficult, it's heart-wrenching, it's uplifting, it's one giant

trigger warning. It is a conversation between my dear friend Raffy, who is one of the most incredible

people I've ever met,

and myself about her rare stage four squamous cell

carcinoma of the vulva, which she's been healing integratively

for several years, and it has been quite a road.

Rafi is of course not only healing from cancer though.

That's not the only or most important part of her story.

She's also many things.

She's an early childhood specialist.

She's a postpart of Dula. She's a homeschooling mother of two girls. Girls who, myself, and my girls absolutely love. And she's wife to an incredible man. And there are a few more things that I want you to know before we jump in.

First of all, it is important that I warn you

that this is not a safe conversation for everyone.

We discuss sexual trauma and abuse. We use the word vagina a lot. We talk about death and making peace with it and we talk about very intimate details of this rare cancer and Rafi's treatment.

But let me tell you, the conversation was just so good.

And it's also one of the first podcasts I've actually been able to do in person

...