Ten Minutes With... First Last

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Jo joins Rhea to share lessons from her lived experience after being diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2020, drawing on 30 years as a Rehabilitation Counsellor and noting how even compliant patients can be labelled non-compliant or disengaged.

She explains rehab counselling as career development, case management, and support for adjustment to disability after medical and allied health care. Jo shares five lessons she learnt along her recovery journey. 

Exercise is not a panacea and may be limited by intolerance work is not always wellness and must be “good work,” as pushing through prolonged her sensitivity and distress

Pacing is principles-based and varies day to day

Adjustment is not the absence of grief or anger but the ability to function alongside them

Being unwell carries a heavy administrative workload.

She describes an identity shift away from work, a more trauma-informed, choice-based approach, and prioritising self-care, relationships, and connection.

Jo will be speaking at the upcoming ASORC conference in Sydney, Australia on 19 June 2026.

00:00 Right On Time Intro

00:18 Podcast And Cancer Story

01:58 What Rehab Counsellors Do

03:49 Five Rehab Wake Up Calls

07:51 Identity Shift After Illness

09:24 Choosing Priorities With Limited Energy

12:28 Closing Thanks And ASORC Plug

"Ten Minutes With" is brought to you by The Intelligent Rebellion and is a Threesticks Production. 

Copyright (c) Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado (R)

The team who produce the The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast acknowledge the traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the land on which the podcast is recorded. We are located on the land of the Dharug people. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to the Elders past, present and emerging

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast is a Threesticks Production. Hosted and Produced by Rhea Mercado. Our Emperor of Sound, Original Music Man and Executive Producer is Wills. Copyright 2026 Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado®.

THE BIG PRINT - DISCLAIMER

The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.