Episode 9: From Cancer Survivor to Media Trailblazer: A Viral Rise to Fame

Episode 9: From Cancer Survivor to Media Trailblazer: A Viral Rise to Fame

 

In this inspiring episode of Positively Altered Podcast, Dr. Cindy Howard chats with Dr. Alessandra Colón, star of TLC’s Crack Addicts. They discuss Dr. Colón’s incredible journey from creating viral TikTok content to becoming the first chiropractor with a televised series. Dr. Colón shares how overcoming stage 4 cancer shaped her resilient mindset and her approach to life and career. The conversation dives into breaking stereotypes, the power of aggressive happiness, and finding joy through challenges. Tune in to hear how Dr. Colón balances global fame, motherhood, and her thriving practice with humor and authenticity.

 

In this episode, we cover:

 

• (4:16) 17 million views on Tik Tok!
• (7:40) Balancing life as the host of a television show
• (12:30) Who chose the name Crack Addicts?
• (16:55) Dr. Colón’s journey walking through cancer
• (21:42) Would you go back and change your story if you could?
• (27:00) Proving people wrong
• (28:40) Aggressive happiness
• (38:19) Rapid-fire questions

 

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Website: https://drcindyspeaks.com

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Practice: www.innovativehwc.com

 

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Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Dr. Cindy: Dr. Cindy M. Howard is a speaker, author, and board-certified chiropractic internist and nutritionist in private practice. 

Keynote Speaking - Call (708-692-7243) or email Dr. Cindy’s team (hello@drcindyspeaks.com) for her availability. Dr. Cindy speaks on inspirational themes in her book and on a wide range of health topics. 

 

Dr. Cindy’s Practice - If you’re in the Chicago area, she’s happy to schedule an appointment with you. Simply call (708-479-0020) or visit her website. 

Dr. Cindy’s Book - Positively Altered: Finding Happiness in the Bottom of a Chemo Bag tells the story of her walk through Hodgkin’s lymphoma and all that her journey revealed about who she is and how she chooses to overcome what life throws at her. 

 

About Dr. Cindy’s Guest: 

At fourteen years old, Dr. Alessendra Colón was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After doctors gave her a 25 percent chance to live, she underwent advanced chemotherapy and radiation, leading her to remission. 

 

Surviving her greatest struggle powered her love of health and life. “Looking back, it dawned on me that I had gained so much more than growing my hair back,” she says. “Beating cancer had given me the push to become more knowledgeable about the human body, nutrition, and natural prevention of disease.” 

 

After graduating from The University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in science, Dr. Colón’s devotion led her to pursue her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Daytona, Florida. At Palmer, she was challenged and instructed by leading professionals in the field and augmented her skill set with proficiencies in sports therapy, rehabilitation, and nutritional guidance.

 

During her studies, Dr. Colón wanted to both test her abilities further and reach out to a global community. Between 2010 and 2012, she traveled to the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, and India, offering free chiropractic care to over 4,000 people. Her commitment to promoting optimal health and well-being has been integral in freeing people from pain and increasing her patients’ whole-body performance ever since.

 

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