Finding Good and Fighting Cancer with Rachel Wimberley

"I love you so much." Written in lower case cursive in crimson red spray paint, this simple phrase adorns the north facing façade of the popular Jo's Coffee off South Congress Avenue near downtown Austin.

Known as "the most famous corner in ATX" is also where the Morning Jos running community meets weekly on Tuesday mornings to run or walk down to the state capitol building and back. The group was founded in 2017 by Rachel Wimberley, a native Austinite, a life long academic, a loving wife and mother, and an all around bright, brave, and beautiful human being.

In addition to possessing a profound passion for running and fitness, along with a relentless desire to effect positive change in the world, Rachel and I share another commonality - fighting cancer.

After being diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma earlier this year, Rachel has completed 25 arduous radiation treatments ahead of a planned surgery in August to hopefully remove the unwanted mass from her right forearm. Originally, doctors gave Rachel a 50/50 chance at living beyond two years from diagnosis.

Now being treated at MD Anderson, Rachel's oncologists are far more optimistic. Through it all, she has remained steadfast and strong. I was elated when she agreed to join me for the first ever episode of The FINDING GOOD Podcast.

We cover plenty of topics in our conversation - from the origin and intention of her beloved Morning Jos community to her time working at the Holocaust Museum - and I guarantee you'll be inspired by her story.

We also touch on how she implements the three tenets of the Finding Good mentality in her own life - how she defines being positively selfish, who she surrounds herself with, and the efforts she champions to make the world a better place.

I hope you enjoy the first installment of The Finding Good Podcast. Stay tuned for more compelling stories from remarkable people like Rachel.