Welcome to another deeply personal episode of Life Shouldn't Hurt. I'm your host, Grant Fedoruk, and today we are tackling a topic that touches almost every single one of us: cancer.

Whenever I speak about this, it brings up memories of my dad and his long, brave battle—a journey that still brings tears to my eyes. Because of him, and the countless patients we see in our cancer rehab clinics, this conversation is incredibly close to my heart.

Exploring the Missing Piece: Cancer Survivorship

In this episode, Anita Cassidy and I are honoured to sit down with Dr. Nathalie Daaboul, a compassionate hematologist-oncologist who is shifting the way we look at lung cancer care. We move past the medical treatments to explore a massive missing piece in the healthcare puzzle: survivorship.

Surviving cancer is a medical marvel, but what happens after the chemo and radiation? We unpack the incredible, evidence-based role of specialized rehab in helping patients safely overcome lingering issues like:

• Nerve numbness (neuropathy)
• Swelling (lymphedema)
• Chronic fatigue

You shouldn't just be thankful to be alive; you deserve the absolute best chance at living a vibrant, active life.

Actionable Wisdom for Your Health

This conversation is packed with actionable wisdom you can apply to your life today, even if cancer hasn't directly impacted your family:

• Listen to your body's "Check Engine" light: I share a humbling story from my own clinic about a patient whose persistent, non-responsive shoulder pain turned out to be lung cancer. We outline the subtle symptoms you should never ignore and why advocating for early screening is life-saving.
• Protect your home from Radon: Did you know that odorless, invisible radon gas creeping into our basements is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? Anita and I explain exactly how easy and affordable it is to test your home and mitigate this risk to protect your kids and family.
• The Power of Mindset: We explore the profound, physical impact that hope, belief, and community support have on your health outcomes and longevity.

Empowerment and Hope

In life, pain and obstacles are part of the journey, but you don't have to face them alone. Whether you are currently navigating a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to proactively protect your family's health, this episode will leave you empowered, informed, and filled with hope.

Support the Mission If you find value in our mission to help people move, live, and age without unnecessary pain, please follow and subscribe to our show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone you care about, because the more people we reach, the more lives we can help.

Thank you for trusting us with your time—tune in, and let's learn together!

Support the show

Follow on Spotify/Apple Podcasts for regular inspirational stories and pain-free living tips. We appreciate you!

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.

Hey everyone, it’s Grant Fedoruk here, your friendly neighbourhood pain whisperer. Welcome back to another episode where we trade stiff upper lips for real talk, because while pain might be a part of life, it certainly doesn’t get to be the boss.

In this episode, I’m joined by my "everyday legend" co-host Anita Cassidy to tackle a physical issue that plagues so many of us as we get active this time of year: that nagging, insidious pain on the outside of the knee known as IT Band Friction Syndrome.

Myth-Busting IT Band Friction Syndrome

If you’ve ever felt that sharp friction while running downhill or even just walking on the beach, you need to hear this. We bust some major myths—specifically, why you can’t actually stretch the IT band (it’s as tough as cheesecloth!) and why taking a metal scraping tool to your leg until you bruise is likely doing more harm than good.

We get into the nitty-gritty of why the problem might actually be coming from:

• Your old shoes
• Issues with your feet
• Tight hip muscles

We discuss what you should really be doing to fix it and get back to moving pain-free.

A Conversation on Resilience with Sandy Saunders

The heart of this episode beats in my conversation with our incredible guest, Sandy Saunders. Sandy has been navigating life as a T5 paraplegic since a car accident at age 14 in 1977. Her story isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving, community, and the evolution of independence over five decades.

Sandy takes us through the reality of accessibility in 2025—from the frustration of snow-covered sidewalks that block wheelchairs to the "low-hanging fruit" that businesses constantly miss.

Actionable Wisdom for Business Owners and Neighbours

We explore insights that business owners and neighbours need to hear right now. Sandy shares a critical point about parking: with the rise in accessible placards, wheelchair users often can’t find the wide spaces they need to deploy their ramps.

Her practical challenge to businesses? Safeguard that one spot closest to the door specifically for wheelchair users so they aren't forced to navigate dangerous parking lots behind vehicles.

Living Your Own Journey

Sandy also leaves us with a profound piece of life advice that applies whether you are in a wheelchair or not: Stop comparing your journey to others. Focus on yourself, pace yourself, and find your own community—like the inspiring environment Sandy found at the Steadward Center.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that accessibility isn't an inconvenience; it’s about basic human rights and dignity. I promise you will leave this episode feeling informed, moved, and ready to look at your community a little differently.

Join the Community

If you find value in these conversations and want to learn how to move better and feel better, please follow and subscribe to the show. Let’s make sure life doesn’t hurt more than it has to.

Support the show

Follow on Spotify/Apple Podcasts for regular inspirational stories and pain-free living tips. We appreciate you!

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.

Life Shouldn’t Hurt: Why Your Pain Isn’t “Normal” — From Feet to Neck Pain Solutions

Introduction

If you’ve ever tuned in to Life Shouldn’t Hurt, you know that I believe pain shouldn't be your normal state of being—even if my singing voice at the top of the show might cause a little phantom pain for my co-host, Anita Cassidy!

Understanding the Kinetic Chain: How Foot Mechanics Influence Knee Pain

In this episode, we tackle the aches and pains that literally weigh us down, from our feet all the way up to our heads. We kick things off by looking at the kinetic chain—how your feet might actually be the culprits behind your knee pain.

Anita and I break down Patellofemoral Syndrome, a condition where the kneecap tracks incorrectly. If you or your teenagers get sore knees just from sitting through a movie (what we call the moviegoer’s sign), you need to hear this.

I even share my own painful history of mowing lawns for the county and how—believe it or not—wearing cowboy boots during the Calgary Stampede taught me a valuable lesson about foot biomechanics.

The Epidemic of Neck Pain: From Whiplash to Tech Neck

Then, we shift our focus to an epidemic we’re all facing: neck pain. Whether it’s from an old whiplash injury or just “tech neck” from doom-scrolling in bed, our necks are taking a beating.

I sit down with physical therapist Dr. Scott Dickinson, the inventor of a game-changing device called NecksLevel.

Why Traditional Neck Exercises Fail

Scott explains why traditional neck exercises—like awkwardly strapping bands to your head—often fail because of discomfort and compliance issues.

We explore his invention, which is essentially a “Pilates reformer for your neck,” allowing you to strengthen those critical stabilizing muscles while lying down, completely eliminating the stress of gravity.

We discuss why rotation is the secret weapon for neck health and how to finally get lasting relief from that stiffness that makes shoulder-checking in your car a nightmare.

Your Environment Matters: Small Tweaks, Big Impact

My biggest takeaway for you? Your environment matters. Whether it's the shoes on your feet or the pillow under your head, small tweaks make a massive difference.

And please, for the sake of your neck and your wallet, leave that smartphone in the closet at night!

Final Thoughts

I hope this episode empowers you to take control of your recovery. If you find value in our conversations, please follow and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Remember, life shouldn't hurt!

Support the show

Follow on Spotify/Apple Podcasts for regular inspirational stories and pain-free living tips. We appreciate you!

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.