Hi there! I'm Jen Zick.  Welcome to my website, where I'm sharing the ups, downs, and "what just happened?!" moments of my breast cancer journey. Like some of you, I was all about health and wellness — I ate a plant-forward Mediterranean diet, kept toxins out of my home, and even slept on an organic mattress. I thought I had my bases covered, and honestly, cancer wasn't in my playbook.
 

As a former D1 college tennis player (still playing at my best) and certified holistic health coach (Institute of Integrative Nutrition), I believed my anti-inflammatory lifestyle would be my best defense. But in October 2023, I joined the breast cancer stats, diagnosed with hormone-positive ductal carcinoma. I went from "it's just a cyst" after a misdiagnosed ultrasound to stage 2b with lymph node involvement after my 6 month follow-up at a new clinic.
 

It was a shock, for sure. But I quickly shifted my mindset and focused on gratitude for my strong body, which I believe helped me breeze through surgery and radiation with minimal side effects. Of course, I "leveled up" my game — studying, making tweaks, and learning everything I could about conventional and holistic ways to support my health.  After all, despite it’s reputation for healthy living, Orange County, CA has one of the highest incidence rates of breast cancer for women under 50 in the state, and there could be many reasons for this, including environmental. 
 

Just 12 days after my mastectomy, I was back on the tennis court, hitting (okay, mini tennis at first!) and adding a few more minutes each day until I was back in full swing, even playing through radiation. I credit my physical, mental, and emotional healing to that daily time on the court and to my wonderful husband, who patiently rallied on the other side of the net (on and off the court). While range of motion limitations after surgery and radiation are common, I’ve been fortunate to have full mobility. For me, exercise has been a cornerstone of recovery and resilience.

Through my journey, I also learned the importance of having a strong spiritual practice because sometimes the stress and pressure to heal was too much for me to handle alone or with friends and family.  Luckily, I was able to connect with a gifted spiritual teacher who actually helped my bestie through a similar journey just months before.  Be sure to check out some of my recommended readings and meditations if you're in search of resources.  I now know more about the power of the mind and prayer that I believe is incredibly important for healing.

 

Now for the best news of all -- as I launch this site in October 2025, all of my scans and bloodwork have remained cancer-free for over 18 months. I’m filled with gratitude and hope—and I’m so happy to share this journey with you.

 

I am a huge advocate for self-care. As Kris Carr (whose game-changing positivity I talk more about throughout this site) says, instead of asking “why” which often doesn’t lead to clear answers, ask “what”? What can I do now to support myself? I believe self-care is a big part of the a what now answer. Self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s about building resilience and nurturing a healthy relationship with yourself, which in turn helps you handle life’s roller coasters with a little more grace and strength.  And often self-care requires calling in backup — spiritual backup, support from family, friends, colleagues and pets — we’ll dive into it all.
 

Cancer is tough, no doubt about it. But I’m a firm believer in finding the silver linings, and I’m here to share the tips, tricks, and insights that helped me get through treatment and further optimize my overall health. I remain grateful that I was supported by my company and colleagues to take medical leave during my surgery and radiation.  I realize this isn't a luxury that everyone has, and it's also a driver for me creating this site.  I was able to fully dedicate my time and energy to understanding my disease and supporting my recovery during the most crucial time in my life.  And I spent A LOT of time researching all the things to heal and thrive.  My goal is to make things a little easier for anyone facing a similar path.
 

Whether you're here for treatment tips, lifestyle upgrades, or just a little inspiration, I hope you leave feeling more empowered. 
 

Now, a quick disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, just someone who’s been through it. Please consult with your physician before trying anything you read here.