October 3rd, 2025 PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST Live | Resilience Podcast with Rick Cram

Three-Time Cancer Survivor on Real Resilience: “You Are In Charge” — Deb Krier

How do you keep going—honestly—through a Cancer journey?

My guest Deb Krier, a three-time cancer survivor, shares the resilience skills that helped her live on her terms: preserving energy, saying no, being honest beyond “I’m fine,” advocating with doctors, and letting small acts of hope compound.

We cover:

★ Why resilience sometimes means crawling under the covers (rest is strength)

★ Preserving energy vs. spending it—and how to say “not today”

★ Why “I’m fine” blocks help—and what to say instead

★ Productive lamenting: feeling feelings without getting stuck

★ Leading your tribe, finding your words (warrior, storm, etc.), and setting boundaries

★ How leaders with cancer can communicate at work without fueling rumor mills

★ Gratitude, humor, and power poses: practical tools for tough days

★ Five questions to ask your doctor—and why you should bring an advocate

Connect with Deb Krier
🌐 Website: https://tryingnottodie.live/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier/
👥 Private FB Group: “Trying Not to Die” https://www.facebook.com/groups/tryingnottodielive/

More from Rick
📘 PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST …As You Navigate Pain: https://rickcram.com

🎙️ Subscribe for weekly encouragement and resilience tools.
📞 Schedule a complimentary Resilience Planning Call: https://rickcram.com/free-conversation/

00:00 Welcome & topic
01:05 Deb’s definition of resilience: keep going—and rest
04:10 “Not today”: why saying no is sometimes strongest
07:20 Resilience = energy: preserve, gain, spend wisely
11:05 Advocating at work & avoiding rumor vacuums
15:30 “I’m fine” vs honest language with doctors & loved ones
21:00 Leaders, privacy, and practical communication
26:15 Productive lamenting: feel it, don’t get stuck
31:40 Gratitude, humor, and power poses (tools that help)
37:20 Five questions to ask your doctor (+ bring an advocate)
43:10 Focus shapes experience: directing attention to resilience
47:30 “You are in charge”: Deb’s closing encouragement
49:00 How to connect + next steps

Disclaimer: This conversation shares lived experience and encouragement; it is not medical advice. Always consult your care team.

#resilience #cancer #survivor #stage4cancer #copingwithcancer #pain management #Grief #RickCram #PlanToBeYourBest #DebKrier

Rick Cram Rick Cram — Plan To Be Your Best

Rick Cram is the creator and author of Plan To Be Your Best …As You Navigate Pain© and a Resilience Coach who helps you become the most resilient person you know. He lives by his guiding truth: “The level of pain must be matched by the level of intentionality.”

With a background as a communications expert and trained caregiver, Rick’s own journey—from a life-altering football injury, seven surgeries on his left knee, and decades of pain—taught him that resilience isn’t just surviving; it’s transforming. His signature method moves beyond mere endurance. Through three actionable steps—Tune In, Plan, and Be Your Best—integrated across the Eight Paths of Intentionality, Rick guides individuals and groups to turn pain into direction, build sustained resilience, reclaim energy, and live with purpose.

Whether you’re navigating personal hardship or leading through organizational stress, Rick’s whole-person, intentional approach equips you with proven strategies and skills—and emerge more confident, empowered, and resilient than ever.

Rick has a passion for the ocean, Cape Cod, fishing, music and working out with his Total Gym (which he immediately bought after Chuck Norris invited him to workout together.

What can we help you find?

Popular Content Tags

Three-Time Cancer Survivor on Real Resilience: “You Are In Charge” — Deb Krier

Recent Articles

Recent Articles

Recent Podcasts

Search

Account