22: Navigating Nomadic Living and a Cancer Diagnosis with Sam Ciaccia
Redefining Strength: How Nomadic Living and a Cancer Diagnosis Transformed Samantha Ciaccia’s Life
Most of us live by a plan. A timeline. A checklist.
But what if your life suddenly unraveled, and you had to rebuild it on completely new terms?
In this powerful episode of the Broads Podcast, I sat down with Samantha Ciaccia—strength coach, former ER physician assistant, and all-around badass—to talk about how she navigated a breast cancer diagnosis and a solo nomadic lifestyle, all while staying rooted in her core mission: helping women define strength on their own terms.
This is more than just a story about survival. It’s a story about evolution.
And if you're someone who's ever felt like your identity was tied to your job, your body, or your perfectly laid plans—this one's for you.
Strength Is Not Just Physical
Let’s get this out of the way: Samantha is strong. She’s a seasoned powerlifter. A health professional. A woman who walks the walk when it comes to owning her power.
But when cancer entered the picture, the kind of strength she needed shifted.
She shares candidly about receiving her diagnosis just weeks before turning 35, navigating the whirlwind of appointments, surgery, and recovery, and confronting the mental and emotional weight of being labeled a "sick person" when she'd spent her life building strength and health.
“It wasn’t just about what my body could lift. It was about how I could hold myself together.”
Samantha’s story is a potent reminder that resilience is a muscle, too—and sometimes, we grow it not in the gym, but in the spaces between survival and surrender.
Living Nomadically Is a Lesson in Control—and Letting Go
Before her diagnosis, Samantha had taken a leap into nomadic living—something many of us daydream about but few actually do. She sold her belongings, packed a few essentials, and began traveling the world solo while running her coaching business remotely.
Sounds dreamy, right?
But behind the Instagram-worthy locations and digital nomad vibes was a deeper truth: learning how to let go of control.
When you’re traveling solo, you don’t always get your ideal gym setup, schedule, or kitchen. And when you’re going through cancer treatments abroad, you don’t always get the emotional comfort of being “home.”
Still, Samantha leaned in. She learned how to stay grounded in herself—her values, her strength, her mission—even when everything around her felt uncertain.
Identity Is Fluid—And That’s a Good Thing
One of the most empowering parts of this episode is hearing Samantha talk about the fluidity of identity, especially for women in fitness and healthcare.
She openly discusses the challenge of moving from “the strong one” to “the patient,” and how she made peace with the idea that you can be both.
Strength doesn’t disappear because your body changes. And your worth isn’t tied to how much you can lift, how many clients you train, or whether your abs are visible today.
“I had to let go of the version of myself I thought I had to be—and make room for who I actually was becoming.”
Powerful. Necessary. And something every ambitious woman needs to hear.
A Conversation That Sticks With You
Samantha’s story is raw, real, and relatable. It reminds us that strength is not a single state—it’s an ever-evolving practice. Whether you’re navigating illness, burnout, career transitions, or just the messy middle of life, this episode is a must-listen for anyone craving permission to evolve.
Ready to Redefine Your Strength?
If Samantha’s story resonated with you, here’s what I want you to do:
Ask yourself: What version of strength am I currently living—and is it still serving me?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear how your definition of strength has evolved.
And if you're craving more conversations like this—ones that empower you to embrace change, take up space, and own your journey—make sure you're subscribed to the Broads podcast!
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