Momlight reboot, catching up with Lindsey Hein
theCityMoms last sat down with Lindsey Hein in 2019 to talk facing fears: From a family history of cancer to branching out into a new career space. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we thought it would be the perfect time to catch up with Lindsey and get re-inspired by her take on life.
There’s no question that a lot has changed in everyone’s lives over the past few years, and the same is true for Lindsey Hein, podcast host, and mom to four boys (ages 10, 7, 6, and 4). In 2019, Lindsey and her family lived in Indianapolis, where she’d just launched two podcasts and was an avid marathon runner and triathlete.
These days she’s filling her time in many of the same ways but not in the same place. Longing for something new and the chance to enjoy warmer weather, Lindsey’s family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, during the summer of 2021.
Lindsey continues to thrive in the podcast realm, still hosting the running-centered podcast I'll Have Another and guest hosting the uplifting Illuminate Podcast. Her already impressive resume now includes the founding of SandyBoy Productions (a network of podcasts), home to Why is Everyone Yelling?, a parenting-focused show also hosted by Lindsey.
Check out a few of Lindsey’s favorites:
Episode 67: Michelle Icard - “Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen”
Episode 32: Tessa Stuckey; Licensed Therapist – “Cultural Influences Impacting our Teens”
Episode 97: David Thomas - “Raising Emotionally Strong Boys”
Lindsey also remains dedicated to her fitness, currently training for the New York City marathon and raising funds for Every Mother Counts while she does it. She’s up to 17 full marathons and counting, working toward breaking her personal record of 3 hours 11 minutes, which she was proud to achieve in between the births of her third and fourth kiddos.
Another aspect of Lindsey’s life has been her journey with cancer risk, which began with her grandmother’s diagnosis: Breast cancer in her 40s and ovarian cancer in her 60s. When Lindsey was tested for and found to be a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation, she bravely decided to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy.
A CITYMOM SHARES: I have the BRCA1 Mutation and made a difficult choice.
Following the birth of her first son, the surgery was completed to remove all breast tissue and prevent the possible occurrence of breast cancer. Lindsey and her husband went on to complete their family with the intention of pursuing further preventative care in the future.
Now, as Lindsey nears 40, her plans to move ahead with a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of her uterus and ovaries) have come back into the picture. She is consulting with her trusted obstetrician (here in Indy) as well as a doctor in North Carolina. Lindsey explains that compared to the stress of frequent re-screenings and cancer scares like she faced this past summer with a false positive result, the risks of the preventative surgery are worth it.
“I want to live life and not think about it, but I have to!” she laments. “I just try to do my everyday life normally, and then every six months, I have to get my check-ups. I have to think about it, and the fear creeps up. I feel kind of out of control, but I ultimately know it’s the right decision.”
Lindsey’s advice to others with an increased risk for cancer?
“Take it one day at a time and find someone who understands what you are going through...Facing the facts can feel scary, but ultimately we all know that knowledge is power, and there have been amazing advancements in the medical world in regards to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. How fortunate are we to live in this time!”
Lindsey is so much more than her cancer risk, and we’re glad she’s doing all she can to continue inspiring those around her. Right now, she’s looking forward to growing her podcasts, participating in more speaking engagements and live events, and continuing to settle into their new home in Raleigh.
We can’t wait to see what Lindsey takes on next. You can join us in following along with Lindsey (here) and her podcast network (here and here)!
