Sexy, Strong, Seen After Breast Cancer (with Gina Lamanna)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—but this episode of Roar goes beyond pink ribbons.

In this powerful premiere episode of Season 3, host Danielle Davies sits down with Gina Lamanna, founder of The Fondle Project, a nonprofit redefining breast cancer awareness through unapologetic visibility, style, and self-advocacy. This episode touches on women's cancer research and what's changing in how we talk about it.

Gina shares her personal journey—from losing confidence after her breast cancer diagnosis to creating a national photo campaign that celebrates survivors as bold, radiant, and whole. What began as her own healing process has become a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit, partnering with fashion brands and reshaping how we talk about breast health.

Together, Danielle and Gina dig into:

• 🌟 Why awareness alone isn’t enough, and how The Fondle Project pushes back against “pink-washed” narratives.
  

• 💪 The power of vulnerability, visibility, and style in reclaiming confidence after illness.
  

• 🧭 Gina’s story of advocating for herself when screenings missed her cancer—and what it taught her about trusting intuition.
  

• 👩‍👧 How her experience shaped the way she parents her daughters, teaching them self-advocacy and body literacy.
  

• 🔥 The bigger cultural shift The Fondle Project is sparking: flipping the script on how we see survivors, sexuality, and strength.
  

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and unforgettable—an empowering kickoff to Season 3.

✨ Key Takeaways from This Episode

• Self-advocacy saves lives: Gina’s breast cancer was missed on both mammogram and ultrasound, but she trusted her intuition and pushed for an MRI.
  

• Know your normal: The Fondle Project encourages women to take two minutes each week for self-exams—what Gina calls Fondle Fridays.
  

• Beyond awareness: With stunning black-and-white photography and fashion collaborations, The Fondle Project redefines what survivorship looks like—unapologetic, sexy, and strong.
  

• Community matters: From girlfriends on rotation during recovery to creative collaborators who donated time and talent, healing happens in community.
  

• Life after diagnosis: Survivors don’t just want to survive; they want to thrive, feel seen, and reclaim joy, love, and possibility.
  

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode

• The Fondle Project → thefondleproject.org
  

• Instagram → @thefondleproject
  

• National Cancer Survivor Month → National Cancer Center
  

• Photographer Kate Powers → katepowers.com

  
  

Liked this conversation?

You might also enjoy this episode with Shaney Jo Darden on breast cancer awareness and creativity, or this one with Samantha Harman on style, confidence, and the stories our clothes tell.

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