212: Why You’re Always Tired—And How to Regain Your Energy Naturally!

You made it through treatment. You should be feeling better by now…right?

So why does it still feel like your energy has gone on permanent vacation?

You wake up exhausted—even after a full night’s sleep. You push through the day, but by afternoon, you hit a wall. And no matter how many green smoothies, naps, or deep breaths you take, you just can’t seem to shake this never-ending fatigue.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the biggest struggles I hear from breast cancer survivors: “I just want to feel like me again. Why is this taking so long?”

I get it. And I want you to know—there’s nothing wrong with you.

The truth is, most of what we’ve been told about getting our energy back after cancer is incomplete.

It’s not just about sleeping more, eating “better,” or forcing yourself to exercise. It’s about understanding what’s really draining your energy in the first place—and making small, strategic shifts that actually work for your body.

So, let’s talk about what’s really going on. (Oh, and by the way...your Doctor may not be sharing these with you...mine didn't!)

The Hidden Energy Drains No One Talks About

Most people assume fatigue is just physical. That if you eat well, sleep enough, and move your body, your energy should bounce back. But if you’ve tried all that (or can't try that because you don't have the energy!!) and still feel wiped out, it’s because energy drains come from more than just your body. 

Here are three surprising culprits that could be zapping your energy:

1. Mental Overload & Decision Fatigue

After breast cancer, everything feels more complicated. The simplest decisions—What should I eat? Is this safe for me? How do I explain this to my friends?—suddenly feel overwhelming.

Your brain is constantly processing and filtering information, trying to keep you safe. And when your mind is overloaded, it drains your energy fast.

 As Tony Robbins says..."Where our mind goes, our energy flows"

I remember standing in the grocery aisle, staring at a box of crackers, trying to decide if they were “healthy enough.” Something that used to take 10 seconds now felt impossible. There's suddenly so much more at stake! That’s when I realized—this wasn’t just about food. It was about how exhausting it had become to make even the smallest decisions.

Studies show that the average person makes over 35,000 decisions per day, and every decision takes energy. For breast cancer survivors, whose minds have been in high-alert mode for months or years, this decision fatigue can feel even more intense.

I dive into this more in this video 🎥: You Won't Believe These Hidden Energy Drains!

2. Your Nervous System Is Stuck in “High Alert” Mode

Even after treatment ends, your body doesn’t just flip a switch and go back to normal. For months—sometimes years—your nervous system has been in fight-or-flight mode, constantly scanning for danger. And when that system doesn’t fully reset, it keeps you stuck in a state of low-grade stress, which is one of the biggest energy drains there is.

And, let's add to that...did you know that a staggering 82.5% of breast cancer survivors suffer from P.T.S.D. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?

BUT...it's rarely talked about!! 

That’s why even on “rest days,” you still feel exhausted. Your body is working overtime in the background, even when you’re doing “nothing.” 

If you've ever felt tired but wired when you're lying in bed, but your mind just WILL NOT STOP...this could be an indication that your nervous system is still in fight or flight.

One of my clients, Lynn, told me that she would feel wiped out even after a weekend of doing “nothing.” But once we started working on calming her nervous system—through breathing, gentle movement, offering herself more grace and my Crazed to C.A.L.M. Method—she saw a huge shift in her energy within weeks.

3. The “All-or-Nothing” Trap

So many of the women I work with tell me: “I know I need to eat better, exercise more, and take care of myself…but I just can’t seem to do it.”

And I always ask: “Are you trying to change everything at once?”

Because here’s the thing: When we believe we have to do ALL the things to feel better, we end up doing…nothing. Not because we don’t want to, but because it feels overwhelming.

And that kind of mental resistance takes a huge toll on your energy.

Before breast cancer, I used to think getting my energy back meant committing 100% to a healthy lifestyle...eating balanced, healthy meals, going to the gym minimum 3 days a week...for many that might feel like you're making a full lifestyle overhaul.

BUT HERE'S WHAT I NEED YOU TO KNOW...As someone who has spent the past 22+ years working in health and wellness (first as a personal trainer, and since 2012 as a health coach)...those are things that I used to do easily...and I thought that I was doing everything I could to stay healthy.

Yet, I still received a breast cancer and BRCA2 diagnosis in 2018. 

 I'm able to look back now, with such clarity and confidence to share with you...staying healthy, getting your energy back isn't just about eating healthy and exercising...it's about giving yourself permission to meet your body where you are today...with love, with kindness and compassion in understanding what you've actually just been through...let go of the pressure.

Now, if you want to...you can try to change everything overnight—only to crash and burn a few weeks later.

Or, you can try what actually worked for me (and now dozens of clients too) ...It wasn’t until I started focusing on one small shift at a time that I finally felt progress.

If this is resonating you may also like 🎥 Avoid This #1 Mistake When Trying to Get Your Energy Back

The Real Key to Getting Your Energy Back (Without Doing More)

So if energy drains aren’t just physical, then getting your energy back isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing less, but smarter.

And this is where most advice misses the mark. Because instead of pushing yourself harder, what you actually need is a system that works with your body, not against it.

Here’s what that looks like:

✅ Simplify Your Decisions: Instead of overthinking every meal, start with a simple guideline: Eat more whole foods (as close to how nature creates them as possible), drink more water, and don’t stress about perfection. (I teach a super-easy framework for this inside my free guide—grab it here.)

✅ Reset Your Nervous System: Gentle movement, breathing, and calming routines aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential for getting your energy back. Even five minutes a day makes a difference.

✅ Start Small & Stack Wins: Instead of overhauling everything at once, focus on one small habit at a time. The trick is stacking tiny wins on top of each other—because that’s how real, lasting energy builds.

I call this the EASY Habit System, and it’s the foundation of how I help breast cancer survivors feel like themselves again. If you want a step-by-step breakdown, you can grab my free guide, 3 Keys to Get Your Energy Back, right here.

FAQ: Answering Your Biggest Energy Questions

❓ How long does it take to get my energy back after breast cancer?
🔹 Everyone’s journey is different, but small, consistent habits can help you see improvement within weeks. Discover the equation that nobody is talking about to help manage your expectations HERE.

❓ Can supplements help?
🔹 While supplements can be helpful (ALWAYS check with your oncologist and medical team first!) your body needs foundational habits first—hydration, balanced meals, managing stress and restorative sleep.

❓ What’s the best type of exercise for rebuilding energy?
🔹 Gentle movement like walking, stretching, yoga and breathing helps reset your nervous system without draining you further. I like to think of these as restorative movements

❓ What if I’ve tried everything and still feel exhausted?
🔹 It’s not about trying harder—it’s about trying differently. Let’s find what works for YOUR body.

Because you don’t have to figure this out alone. And you don’t have to keep living in survival mode. Your energy is still there—it just needs the right approach to gently bring it back.

And it gets to be easier than you think. ❤️