Interview with Aniela McGuinness, actress and improv comedy teacher. In this episode, Aniela talks candidly about her three cancer journeys, the first being her mother's ovarian cancer, then personally battling breast cancer and skin cancer. She opens up about the juxtaposition of her experiences: the burden, the fear, the internal battle, the growth, the life lessons acquired and even the humor in it all. Aniela also tells us about finding solace and healing thru art and comedy.
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A Tale of 3 Cancers
Very few can say they have experienced the hardship of cancer in three different forms. Actress Aniela McGuiness, our guest on this week's podcast, is here to share with us what that grueling journey is like.
In honor of breast cancer awareness month I wanted to invite someone on the show that could shed light on this dark subject. Aniela was the perfect guest as she is brings compassion, raw insight and humor on a topic that is usually all drama.
Let's face it: cancer is a heavy theme. Nonetheless, Aniela reminds us that at times “life can still suck and we can still laugh at it.”
She makes it ok to engage in uncomfortable conversations and sit in them. This soul conversation will have you crying and laughing at the same time. I promise.
Cancer Comes a Knockin'
Cancer first knocked on Aniela's door at the ripe age of 22 when her mother was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She witnessed the slow and heart-wrenching deterioration of her mother's health during the course of about 7 years right up until she passed away shortly after Aniela's 30th birthday.
Only two years after what she describes as the hardest day of her life, she found herself battling breast cancer. Fortunately, Aniela McGuinness was already planning for her elective mastectomy when she received the devastating diagnostic because she was aware of having inherited the BRCA mutation from her mom's lineage.
The aggressive BRCA mutation she had inherited– her doctors had explained– meant she was 80% likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. To put that into perspective, most women have a 13% percent lifetime risk of getting breast cancer.
My Breast Choice
Aniela's mother had been very stoic and private about her ovarian cancer; Aniela's approach was the exact opposite.
She bravely decided to document her mastectomy and hysterectomy and share her experience with the world.
She recorded dance parties with friends at her chemo therapy appointments and shared those on social media. She also chronicled her breast cancer journey by taking a series of artistic pictures which were famously published from Cosmo to the DailyMail and in multiple languages around the world.
Moreover, Aniela McGuinness co-wrote and performed the one-woman show, I Don't Have Cancer. She even co-founded Cancer Grad and walked New York Fashion Week topless in all her glory.
Skin Cancer- The Ripping Apart of Oneself
Fast forward four years, skin cancer knocks on her door.
This time Aniela was completely taken aback. In short, a little bump on her face resulted in her having half of her nose cut off during surgery. This was followed by various other plastic surgeries in order to restore her face.
As she shares on the podcast, this time Aniela McGuinness wanted to be honest with her pain and “heal during the process instead of after the process.” For her this meant being very private during her skin cancer process and confiding only in her close circle.
At the same time, she chronicled her journey by taking artistic photographs, not the usual before and after pictures but rather the painful process in between. Aniela says she will eventually release the documentation of her skin cancer journey when she's ready.
In the mean time she's grateful to be acting once again. Earlier this year she was cast in the hit show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Aniela McGuiness Will Not be Defined by Cancer
Despite cancer being a repeating theme in her life she refuses to be defined by it. Although at some point she confesses to have thought, “Am I only interesting because I’ve had cancer?”
She admits to have asked herself, “Who am I after all this?”
Now she is confident and at peace in acknowledging it is only a part of her life's journey.
All I can say is: do NOT miss this episode, Mamacita. I can honestly say it is one of my favorite chats on the podcast. It's authentic, it's raw, it's inspiring, it's funny… everything that encompasses my vision for the Mamas Con Ganas platform.
I can't even begin to describe all the takeaways from this episode.
Listen ⬅️ and share this gem of an episode. It's the truly a remarkable story of drama turned into Ganas.
And don't forget to “FEEL YOURSELF UP!” as Aniela McGuiness reminds us this month of breast cancer awareness.
Remember, don't be a mama con drama. Let's be Mamas Con Ganas! 💃🏻💃🏿💃🏼💃🏽
Besitos,
Valentina
#inspiredmamacita
P.S. This is not the first time I interview a fearless cancer goddess-warrior on my podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out: Faith Over Fear with Gisenia Reyes.
P.P.S. And since we are on the subject of fear, check this episode out as well: Conquer Your Fears.
