Guest– Risa August
Ep. 139: Risa August Describes Her Path From Perfectionist to Patient, and How She Faced a Devastating Diagnosis With Grit, Resilience, and Optimism
Once an ironman athlete and perfectionist, Risa August faced a devastating diagnosis that stripped away her former life. This is the story of how she found new purpose and adventure, transforming her approach to life, from rigid achievement to joyful discovery, even with her unexpected companion,“Bubba,”her brain tumor.
Resources:
Check out Risa’s book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, on the Blue Sky Bookshelf
Chapters
00:00 From Extreme Achiever to Illness
Host Bill Burke introduces Risa August, an adventurous woman who once excelled in extreme sports, asking, “Is there anything you can’t do?” Risa describes her past as an intense overachiever and perfectionist, pushing limits in Ironman, mountain climbing, and hot yoga, always striving to be better than others and maintaining a rigid lifestyle.
03:51 The Diagnosis of Acromegaly
Risa recounts the onset of strange symptoms after her first Ironman in 2010, including significant weight gain despite a strict diet and increasing fatigue. After years of doctors dismissing her concerns, she insisted on an MRI, which revealed an enlarged pituitary and led to her diagnosis of acromegaly, a serious condition she had never heard of before.
11:09 Choosing Adventure Over Despair
Faced with a devastating diagnosis and a challenging life, Risa decided not to breakdown but to break out, committing to her adventures despite doctors’ warnings about what she could no longer do. She realized she would never be her old self, so she focused on “who can I be then?” and made a conscious decision to truly live life on her own terms.
14:00 The Road Unpaved and Bubba
Risa found a new purpose in a cross-country bicycle journey along the Pacific CoastHighway, a trip she committed to doing on her own terms after reflecting on her past perfectionism. She also named her brain tumor ‘Bubba’ as a way to connect with herchanging body, turning him into a central character and partner in her healing journey and the book.
21:29 Gestalt Therapy and Connection
Risa discusses how her Gestalt therapy training, which she underwent during her diagnosis, provided a crucial support network and helped her become a more patient, compassionate, and curious practitioner. She also emphasizes the importance of deep, personal connection and active listening, a lesson she learned on her bike tour by giving others a chance and finding unexpected commonalities.
30:13 The CAN Framework
Risa shares her ‘CAN’ framework—Capable, Able, Now—which she developed after feeling stuck post-surgery and questioning her purpose. This mantra helped her simplify the complex challenges she faced, prompting her to ask, “What am I capable and able todo now, in this moment?”
35:29 Living a Full Life Now
Risa openly discusses the progression of her acromegaly and its physical toll, yet she maintains a strong mindset, dedicated to inspiring others to live full lives. She now finds joy in simple things, like perusing a farmer’s market, and doesn’t worry about disappointing others by not always seeking the ‘next big thing.’
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