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Mark chats with Sam Shackleton, a boldly independent woman. She talks about how travelling to Thailand and Australia fundamentally changed her. Nearly as much as being a mother of two. They talk about handling rejections, getting the nerve to charge what you are worth as an artist. It's a personal conversation as Sam exposes how personal turmoil made her resilient. She expresses her path of choosing self-awareness and grieving the version of herself she lost

Samantha Shackleton Bio

Samantha Shackleton is the creative heart behind Blue Orchid Creative, where she helps small businesses and entrepreneurs build brands and websites that truly feel like them. With over a decade of experience in branding, graphic design, and web design, she’s passionate about bringing strategy and style together, creating visuals and online experiences that not only look great but work hard for her clients.

Samantha loves diving into her clients’ stories and exploring how they show up online, from websites to social media, ensuring everything feels authentic, cohesive, and confident. Whether she’s developing a full visual identity, mapping out a user-friendly website, or refining the way a business presents itself across platforms, her goal is always to help entrepreneurs show up professionally and with confidence.

Outside of her design business, Samantha lives life with her partner and their four kids, embracing the joys and challenges of blended family life. She’s also trained in Capoeira for over ten years, a Brazilian martial art that blends movement, rhythm, and community, fueling her energy, creativity, and balance. When she’s not working or training, you’ll find her exploring Calgary’s food scene, supporting local music, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.

Warm, thoughtful, and endlessly curious, Samantha brings creativity and care to everything she does, helping business owners grow, thrive, and shine online.

Owner/Designer Blue Orchid Creative
PH: 403.901.5762
Blue-orchid.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-orchid-yyc/

https://www.instagram.com/blueorchidyyc/

https://www.facebook.com/BlueOrchidGraphicWeb/

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, expanding their sense of sexy, and building their confidence in an exciting, transformational adventure: photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

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In this powerful special edition of Fascinating Women, host Mark Laurie sits down with Elizabeth Gil to walk through her unexpected journey with breast cancer. What started as routine blood work led to a life-altering discovery and a series of choices that challenge societal norms of femininity. Elizabeth shares the raw details of her diagnosis, the emotional anchor provided by her husband and children, and her firm decision to opt for a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction.

We explore the transition from "invincibility" to vulnerability, the practical wisdom of using "tomato paste cans" for physical therapy, and why Elizabeth refuses to let the label of "survivor" define her. This episode is a profound exploration of body ownership, the weight of the "guilt backpack," and the healing power of being seen and loved in your most exposed moments. It is an essential listen for anyone facing a health crisis or supporting a loved one through transformation.

3 Core Takeaways:

• Body Sovereignty: The importance of making medical choices based on personal peace rather than societal expectations.
• The Routine of Resilience: How maintaining a sense of normalcy and family routine provides a foundation during a crisis.
• Beyond the Label: Why identity must remain rooted in passion (like Elizabeth's archery) rather than the trauma of illness.

Elizabeth Gil Bio

My very exhibitionist boobs decided to drop into frame during a liver MRI in 2022, and they were keeping a secret; they harboured two spots of invasive lobular cancer on the right side. Since the age of 16, my breasts were the objects of criticism and unwanted attention; add that to witnessing my mom's ordeal with her cancer journey, and the decision became clear: take them both (I don't want to be lopsided) and do a flat aesthetic closure. I had an incredible surgeon (Dr. Mei), who listened to me, respected my wishes, and did an amazing job creating a body that I am comfortable in. I was also surrounded by the love of so many people, including the Rev Cythia and my mother-in-law, who stepped in to care for me and speed my recovery, bringing me to tears many times. The numbness from the surgery made me feel like I wore a piece of armour, which somehow made me feel stronger. My husband (Sean) was instrumental in my recovery, never putting a demand for new boobs, although we are open enough to speak about missing them sometimes. He also introduced me to the BoobblessBabe (Stephanie), who oozes sexiness thanks to her confidence and serves as a role model. I don't speak about this cancer or the PNET one because I don't want it to be my defining identity. I refuse to be called "a cancer survivor" because it makes me feel like I live in its shadow. Doing the pictures with Mark was another step to reaffirming my connection with this new body.

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, expanding their sense of sexy, and building their confidence in an exciting, transformational adventure: photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us Fan Mail

Elizabeth is a leap first kinda woman. She is a granddaughter of Spanish refugees and an immigrant from Venezuela at 18, leaving her family behind. With no English but driven by a dream, her positive mindset makes it work. She is stubborn. Failure is “a first attempt in learning.” Strong women and gentle men shaped her view. Her North Star is always choosing kindness. Her story of misunderstanding her husband’s real name until he proposed is so her is a chuckle. Elizabeth shares her view on how empowerment through education works for her. Her parenting philosophy is that children are only “borrowed” for a while, which is unique.
You will feel the energy of personality in the audio.

Elizabeth Gil Bio
I was born and raised in Venezuela, and I have always felt like I belong to “the in between” as my family is from Spain originally, and the goal was to return there someday. I was raised by very strong women, which made me fearless, and I was protected by two incredibly strong men who showed me that the only limits were within myself. I came to Canada at 18 to learn English, and I keep arguing that I am still working at it, so I can’t leave. I met my soulmate soon after arriving, and he has been my rock and my refuge in sickness and in health; we have weathered fierce storms and have become a safe harbour for each other, and I would choose him again in any future lives. I have two courageous, funny, and authentic younger humans who let me walk beside them not only as a mom but also as a friend. I have two precious heirlooms: my grandmother’s ring and a pendant made by a friend’s dad that carried healing vibes. I am an amateur goldsmith, an avid reader, an archer, and I almost got arrested in Spain when I was pregnant for disrupting a police raid.

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com