Georgie Crawford has inspired women and men across the country over the past year-and-a-half, as she let strangers into one of the most difficult years of her life.
The 98FM news anchor was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2017 and documented her life on social media throughout her treatment.
Following her treatment and being given the all clear in late 2018, Georgie set up The Good Glow website and podcast, which focuses on content about mental and physical health and well-being.
We chatted to Georgie about her decision to open up to strangers about her diagnoses and treatment, how her outlook on life has changed since October 2017 and much more.
You have been an inspiration to thousands of women (and men) across the country by being very open on social media about your breast cancer diagnoses and treatment, why did you decide to open up to the public?
When I found my lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 32, I was so shocked. There is no breast cancer in my family and I just didn’t think breast cancer happened to younger people. Initially I just wanted to warn my friends and colleagues to be breast aware. I wanted to encourage them to check themselves and take care of their health.
I wrote a short piece on my Instagram page and then my friend Susan Keogh, who works in Today FM, asked me if I’d like to do an interview about everything that was happening. I decided to do it and speak out. I didn’t want to be ashamed of my cancer and was determined to face it head on.
From there, more and more people started to hear about my story and I decided to document my journey on Instagram and it just grew from there. Some days I still can’t believe what’s happened over the last couple of years. I was very private before cancer and now I speak to thousands of people about wellness and self care. It’s been a crazy time.
Did you find that telling people how you were feeling and keeping them updated on what you were going through helped you and your mindset?
I started tell my story on Instagram and give updates about my IVF treatment, chemotherapy and hair loss. Once a week I’d pop on with a quick update. It definitely gave me a purpose and some days gave me the strength to keep going. I felt so supported. Not only did I have my family and friends giving me endless support, I got to hear from amazing women from all across the country who were cheering me on too.
I also heard from so many cancer survivors which gave me so much hope and really inspired me to stay positive. When I decided to share my story on Instagram, it was really important for me to be completely honest. I had to share the bad days as well as the good. That was hard, but I wanted to paint a realistic picture of what daily life was like. I didn’t want anyone to turn around to someone in their family and wonder why they couldn’t be positive all the time like me. The truth is, I wasn’t positive all the time, I cried a lot and really relied on my family to pull me out of the dark hole at times. It was a rollercoaster of emotions but thankfully things are settling down now.
What advice would you give to someone who is going through something similar at the moment?
First of all, breathe. It’s a very overwhelming scary time. I had feelings of extreme terror for a very long time. I felt very uncomfortable at every moment and some days I felt like I was so scared of my own body. My whole world shifted from under me and I was truly terrified. But it does get better. You adapt and refocus. I would advise people to listen to their doctors, don’t google things. Just focus on the information you are getting about your illness.
Don’t compare yourself to anybody else. Accept help from your family and friends. They want to be there for you. When I was first diagnosed I knew I had to work on accepting the cancer. That was my first major hurdle. I felt like once I accepted and acknowledged it I could put all my energy into treatment and getting better. I wanted to keep moving forward and trust that it was all meant to be. I kept telling myself that I was on a journey and one day it would all make sense. It took a lot of practice to think like that, but I got there and I feel like it helped me recover quicker.
You have decided to continue spreading messages of wellbeing and positive thinking following your treatment (through social media and The Good Glow etc.), why have you decided to continue to do that?
I think as women we put everyone ahead of ourselves. We push ourselves to the limit every day. We want the best for our partners, kids, family, and friends. But what about us? I feel like we need constant reminders to look after ourselves and put ourselves first from time to time. I like to encourage people to talk to themselves like they’d talk to their best friend. Would you encourage your friend to make time for herself? To exercise and take some time out? Absolutely! So do that for yourself. I feel like when I’m happy and de-stressed our family functions better. Taking time for you can benefit the entire family unit.
Do you feel that women are looking after their health and wellbeing more in recent years?
I do think there is more awareness about health and wellbeing and I think it’s so important to look after you. But it’s about balance too and that’s something I’m working on for 2019. I was very hard on myself after I was diagnosed, eating super healthy food all of the time and worrying about what other people were thinking if I ate a biscuit. Now, I try to eat between 5-7 portions of fruit and vegetables a day during the week and treat myself at the weekend with a steak and a couple of glasses of wine.
Where there any specific things that kept you in a positive mindset throughout your diagnoses and treatment?
My family really kept me going. They were there on my worst days, keeping me positive and focused on what I needed to do to get better, Jamie is my soulmate and never left my side, he was amazing. My mum and my stepdad were with me every day to help with my daughter Pia and help me with the house and dinners and the never ending piles of washing.
And my brothers and sister-in-law, Ciara, were just so positive and amazing to me and gave me so much of their time, as did Jamie’s family. My friend, Claire Solan gave me Oprah’s book What I Know For Sure and it really transformed my relationship with cancer and my journey. I brought the book everywhere with me for almost a year. I’d really recommend it to anyone going through a tough time.
Have you found that people are opening up to you more, since you have been so open yourself?
Definitely. I’ve been shocked at the amount of young people with breast cancer and I’ve been doing some work with Breast Cancer Ireland on raising awareness. They’ve put me in touch with some great women and we have had some lovely times together.
I do think my story makes people sad sometimes. A number of times I’ve stood in carparks or supermarkets with a complete strangers in tears. People who’ve lost family members or are going through treatment themselves. It’s lovely and heart-warming, but it blows my mind sometimes. I still wonder how this happened to me and ask myself if I’m dreaming.
How has your view on life changed since 2017?
Every part of my life has changed entirely. I try to enjoy the simple things and take a minute to be grateful when good things happen. I still struggle with the trauma and I’m working every day to get back to normal. It’s hard and will take time so I’m trying to be kind to myself.
I definitely appreciate my life more and when I get up in the morning I feel lucky to be well enough to work and face the day. When Jamie and I are with our daughter Pia, I try to soak up every second of her. I’m trying to stay in the present and not worry about the future Cancer has really opened my eyes to all the good in the world and how much people care and are willing to support others. It’s a really nice feeling to lift each other up and cheer each other on.
Do you have any plans or projects for 2019?
I love 2019 so far. I launched my podcast The Good Glow just before Christmas and the response has been just brilliant. I’m really enjoying sitting down with inspirational women to hear their stories about life and self care. It’s been so interesting and I’m really enjoying it.
I work on 98fm’s Big Breakfast show, so I’m generally laughing my ass off before 7am most mornings, which is just the best feeling. So 2019 has definitely gotten off to a much better start to 2018. I’m planning fun nights out (one of which is to THE GOSSIES!) and trips away with my family. I’m loving normality and just want to enjoy watching my daughter grow and thrive. She is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me and makes so happy. I’m feeling very lucky and very grateful.
Make sure to check out Georgie’s website and podcast, The Good Glow, here and you can follow her journey on Instagram.
