Summary: I've written previously about how to use nutrition in healing trauma. When you struggle with chronic situations that affect your ability and even your desire to eat healing, rebounding and overcoming obstacles to recovery exponentially increase. I experienced this myself on my post-trauma journey as mysterious physical illnesses stopped my stomach, intestines and liver from properly functioning. Literally, I got to a point where I could not eat anything more than some steamed chicken. Lack of nutrition and proper diet dramatically reduce our overall immune system function, plus our ability to sleep, cope and heal. If you're struggling with cancer all of this becomes doubly compounded by the effects of treatment. Then what? On this episode I'm joined by Susan Bratton, Founder and CEO of Meals To Heal and guest speaker at the upcoming Survivors Conference in Nashville, TN. When Susan recognized the nutritional struggles of both cancer patients and caregivers, she immediately decided to take action and formed an organization that offers a comprehensive nutritional solution for both groups. Susan's organization provides meals that strengthen the immune system, increase energy levels and the ability to withstand and respond to cancer treatment, and prevent weight loss. Sometimes we have the rare opportunity to meet people who dedicate there lives to helping others. They don't just simply decide to volunteer a few hours a month or a day or two in a year, but truly decide to dedicate their lives to a need that they have recognized exists. These types of people are extraordinary and that's exactly what Susan has done. In her quest to bring nutritional relief and change the direction of cancer survivors lives she's also changed the direction of her own life. A double win in my book! MEET MY GUEST: Susan Bratton, Chief Executive Officer. Susan founded Meals To Heal in 2011 after a career on Wall Street where she represented and focused exclusively on early and growth stage healthcare services and insurance companies. Susan brings to Meals to Heal over 25 years of industry experience in healthcare and business as well as expertise in strategy, finance and management. Susan was a member of the healthcare groups at firms including Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Robertson Stephens and Wasserstein, Perella & Co. Susan earned a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business. She is actively involved in a number of industry associations including Women Business Leaders in Healthcare and the Healthcare Business Women’s Association. She also serves on the Advisory Board of HCap, the national leading venue for healthcare providers and capital to meet. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Susan volunteers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Pediatric Oncology Unit and is a marathon runner representing MSKCC on Fred’s Team to raise money for cancer research.
