Episode 56: Living Brave with a Brain Tumor: Risa August on Grit, Alignment, and Choosing Your Own Path

After being diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor, Risa August was told to slow down and play it safe. Instead, she got on her bike and rode 1,845 miles from Canada to Mexico, redefining what strength, healing, and resilience could look like.

In this episode, Risa shares the story behind her award-winning memoir The Road Unpaved, how she turned one of the hardest seasons of her life into a journey of freedom, and what pushed her to become a TEDx speaker, Gestalt practitioner, and advocate for pituitary tumor awareness.

We talk about:
• Navigating a major diagnosis
• Rewriting your identity after crisis
• Choosing courage over limitations
• Her solo ride across northern Spain
• Living boldly while managing ongoing medical challenges

If you need a reminder that your story isn’t over and that you can still build a life that feels true and aligned, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Risa: risaaugust.com
Follow @intheblackpassionproject for more stories of purpose, resilience, and transformation.