What Cancer and Sobriety Taught This Supermodel About Life
By Movieguide® Contributor
Model Elle Macpherson has overcome a lot in her life including staying sober for 20 years and beating breast cancer.
In her recently released memoir, she explains that, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she chose to listen to her gut and pursue alternative treatment methods.
“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways. And it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me,” she told Women’s Weekly. “I realized I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it. And that’s what I did.”
Macpherson chose “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach.”
“It was a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself and trusting the nature of my body and the course of action that I had chosen,” she said.
Macpherson held on to the reality that whether she chose a conventional treatment such as chemo or a holistic treatment, life holds no guarantees.
“I came to the understanding that there was no sure thing and absolutely no guarantees,” an excerpt of her book reads. “There was no ‘right’ way, just the right way for me. I chose a holistic approach. Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder.”
She’s used to staying true to her convictions. The supermodel decided to get sober in 2003.
“It’s been amazing getting sober and staying sober. It has been the foundation of all of my life, really, because without being sober, I wouldn’t be here,” she explained.
“I stopped drinking in 2003 because I felt I couldn’t be fully present in my life, and it was a wonderful springboard of getting to know myself on a deeper level,” Macpherson told Body + Soul last year. “Everybody has their own journey and I’m not interested in telling other people what to do but I know that this was a decision that I’ve never regretted.”
“Although it required discipline and persistence, the bottom line is you can’t be well and present in your life if you’re not present and well, and alcohol doesn’t really support that. It’s very difficult to get to know yourself if you’re numbing yourself,” she continued.
Her memoir, titled Elle, released on Sept. 3.
“The journey from my head to my heart is an ongoing journey to unconditional love – unlimited love, joy, fulfilment and purpose,” she said in the post announcing the book. “My whole life has been a journey looking for that. Sharing powerful life lessons, tools and understandings that I have learned through the highs and lows of my life so you can transform yours.”
