Beating the Odds

Joanne Lockwood

Tags: Inclusion Bites, Mental Health, Inclusive Cultures, holistic health, cancer survivor, melanoma treatment, emotional healing, alternative medicine, chronic illness, Georges Córdoba

Battling Cancer and Finding Balance

Georges Córdoba shares his compelling journey through battling stage 4 melanoma, embracing holistic health, and balancing physical and emotional well-being, all while navigating personal challenges and catalysing change through resilience and purpose

In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood sits down with Georges Córdoba to explore the harrowing yet inspiring journey of beating the odds against stage IV cancer. Georges, a stage IV cancer survivor and holistic health coach, sheds light on his battle with melanoma, sharing personal anecdotes and the pivotal moments that led him to embrace a holistic approach to health. Joanne and Georges discuss the importance of balancing conventional medicine with holistic practices for comprehensive well-being.

Georges Córdoba a Venezuelan-born health coach and bestselling author, brings a wealth of experience and insights into this episode. Raised by immigrant parents who lost everything during WWII, Georges developed a deep sense of empathy and philanthropy that propelled him into various charitable endeavours. Despite a successful career in engineering and technology, his life took a drastic turn when he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Over a decade, Georges underwent numerous surgeries and treatments, eventually moving away from conventional treatments to explore holistic alternatives. Now cancer-free for 12 years, Georges focuses on helping others achieve well-being through a balance of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Throughout the episode, Georges speaks candidly about the pressures he faced from family and medical professionals to adhere to conventional treatments and how he ultimately found solace and healing in a more holistic approach. He discusses the "four legs of the table" metaphor to emphasise the need for balance in different facets of health. Georges also shares how his personal beliefs and spiritual journey influenced his healing process, stressing the importance of humility, faith, and taking action. Additionally, he highlights the impact of stress, poor nutrition, and environmental factors on chronic diseases, advocating for lifestyle changes as opposed to extreme diets.

The episode concludes with Joanne and Georges reflecting on the significance of holistic and inclusive approaches to health and well-being. They encourage listeners to consider both conventional and alternative methods, underlining the importance of a balanced, mindful lifestyle. Joanne invites the audience to engage with the podcast, subscribe, and share their stories of inclusion and transformation.A key takeaway from this episode is the power of a balanced, holistic approach in overcoming life’s toughest challenges, illustrated through Georges’ inspiring journey from a cancer survivor to a holistic health coach. Listeners will gain invaluable insights into the importance of integrating physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being to achieve true health and resilience.

Published: 27.02.2025

Recorded: 13.01.2025 Episode Length

Duration: 1:00:45

Shownotes:

AI Extracts and Interpretations
The Inclusion Bites Podcast #149: Beating the Odds
Other Links
SEE Change Happen: The Inclusive Culture Experts
Inclusion Bites Podcast on YouTube

Clips and Timestamps

Unstoppable Blaze: A Perfect Storm of 90 mph Winds and Unpredictable Fires: “Because on top of everything the fires are very tough to contain because they have 85, 90 mile an hour winds on top of everything. So like a perfect storm. Now they have like, and that’s unusual, a tropical storm turning hurricane over there. So they, they’re getting better but it’s been, it’s been crazy.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:02:20 → 00:02:46]

Healing through Service: “When you serve others, and I have this in my book, service is healing as well.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:09:14 → 00:09:19]

The Reward of Helping Others: “You know, it’s interesting, every time you help somebody from your heart, at the end of it you think who helped who? You go home and you say, man, I feel I’m the one.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:10:39 → 00:10:49]

Battling Cancer: “On year eight, I fought cancer, advanced cancer, melanoma for 10 years and I had 10 surgeries, including four craniotomies because I have metastasis in my brain and two gamma knives and two of my eight tumours.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:12:06 → 00:12:22]

**The Impact of Lifestyle on Health**: “I have, you know, basically have to tell you that 25% of nutrition and digestion is what you eat. 75% is who you are when you eating, are you eating in a hurry? Do you chew very few times before you swallow? I mean, there are so many things that we do to get us ourselves sick.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:16:41 → 00:17:01]

Faith in Action: “An intention without action becomes an illusion.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:29:10 → 00:29:13]

The Power of the Subconscious Mind in Healing: “But the good news is that we also are the ones that can get us ourselves back to healing. And that’s where the mind comes in. The power of the mind and subconscious mind.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:31:21 → 00:31:32]

The Connection Between Stress and Digestion: “It says, oh you know what, Joanne is stressed. We’re not going to have a good digestion and so what happens because of the cortisol and the stress, the vagus nerve tells the gut, hey, you know, Joanne is stressed out. So we’ll See what you’re going to do.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:31:59 → 00:32:17]

The Power of Holistic Healing: “By going through my protocol, through the holistic journey, you’re gonna feel better, you’re gonna have less side effects, and you’re gonna heal.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:50:50 → 00:51:00]

Balanced Diet Tips: “You have to just have some good proteins, good fats and good carbs and learn how to create balanced ph plates.”
— Georges Córdoba [00:58:04 → 00:58:14]

Definition of Terms Used

Holistic Health Approach

Definition: A holistic health approach considers the whole person, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, rather than just focusing on specific symptoms or ailments.
Relevance: This approach emphasizes maintaining balance in all aspects of life, which is vital for comprehensive well-being and long-term health.
Examples: Integrating practices like meditation, balanced diet, regular exercise, and emotional counselling into one’s daily routine.
Related Terms: Integrative Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Mind-Body Connection
Common Misconceptions: Some believe holistic health dismisses conventional medicine; however, it often incorporates and complements traditional medical treatments.

Survivor’s Guilt

Definition: Survivor’s guilt refers to the feelings of guilt or despair experienced by someone who has survived a traumatic event or illness, particularly when others did not.
Relevance: Understanding this emotional response is crucial for addressing mental health and providing support to individuals who are coping with such feelings.
Examples: A cancer survivor feeling guilty for outliving fellow patients, or a disaster survivor struggling with why they were spared.
Related Terms: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Grief, Emotional Trauma
Common Misconceptions: It is often misunderstood as simply being sad, but survivor’s guilt is a complex psychological condition that may require professional help.

Four Legs of the Table Metaphor

Definition: A metaphor used to describe the balanced integration of four key aspects of health—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Relevance: It highlights the importance of addressing all facets of health to achieve overall stability and balance, akin to a table standing firmly on its four legs.
Examples: Ensuring regular physical activity (physical), maintaining close relationships (emotional), engaging in stimulating mental activities (mental), and practising faith or spirituality (spiritual).
Related Terms: Holistic Wellness, Balanced Living, Comprehensive Health
Common Misconceptions: Some might think focusing on one aspect (e.g., physical health) is sufficient, but neglecting other areas can lead to imbalance and issues.

Acidic and Alkaline Foods

Definition: Foods are classified based on their effect on the body’s pH level, with acidic foods lowering pH and alkaline foods raising it.
Relevance: Understanding this classification can aid in creating a balanced diet that promotes optimal physical health and prevents diseases linked to an acidic body environment.
Examples: Acidic foods include meat, dairy, and processed foods; Alkaline foods encompass fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Related Terms: pH Balance, Nutritional Biochemistry, Dietary Health
Common Misconceptions: It’s often incorrectly assumed that all acidic foods are unhealthy; in moderation and when balanced with alkaline foods, they can be part of a healthy diet.

Gamma Knife Procedure

Definition: A precise, non-invasive radiation therapy used to treat brain disorders, including tumours, without the need for a traditional craniotomy.
Relevance: It offers a less invasive option for treating complex brain conditions, reducing recovery time and physical trauma compared to conventional surgery.
Examples: Used to treat conditions like brain metastases, arteriovenous malformations, and certain types of neuralgia.
Related Terms: Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Neurosurgery, Radiotherapy
Common Misconceptions: Some may erroneously believe it’s a surgical procedure involving a knife, but it actually involves focused radiation beams that are pain-free.