Elle Halliwell's incredible health journey and cancer diagnosis

You know when you meet someone and you just love them and can talk for hours and hours? Well that is how I felt when I sat down with the beautiful Elle Halliwell.

Elle has such warm, such kindness and radiates energy and resilience.

I was so lucky to have Elle come on the Zing Wellbeing Podcast and for Elle to share her incredible journey, her pregnancy and then cancer diagnosis.

As a journalist, author, and founder of Auricle Ear Seeds, Elle turned what could have been a devastating year into a catalyst for change—redefining her health, career, and mental well-being.

On the Zing Wellbeing podcast, Elle shares her extraordinary journey and the lessons she learned along the way.

A Wake-Up Call to Prioritise Health

“Health was never a priority for me,” Elle admits. “It was so far down the list. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, I thought, ‘Wow, I really need to shift my priorities.’” Within two weeks, she transformed her life.

“The day after I found out I was pregnant—just two days after my rare blood cancer diagnosis—I cleaned out my beauty cupboard, switched to natural cleaning products, and got rid of all the Teflon pans. It was an immediate overhaul. Over time, I refined things further, realizing not all natural products are inherently good, and vice versa.”

A Diagnosis Discovered by Chance

Elle’s cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock. “I had gastro and went to the GP for a doctor’s certificate. While I was there, I mentioned wanting a blood test since we were thinking about trying for kids. The results showed high platelet levels. At first, we thought it was linked to the gastro, but further tests showed they were rising. That’s when I was referred to a hematologist.”

Five weeks later, Elle learned she had cancer—and discovered she was pregnant. “I took another pregnancy test because I thought, ‘What could make this situation worse?’ When it came back positive, I couldn’t believe it.”

Cancer as a Path to Mindfulness

“For me, cancer became a self-help tool,” Elle explains. “If you’d asked me before if I could handle it, I’d have said no. But you just deal with it—day by day. It forced me into a state of mindfulness. I couldn’t plan for the future; I only had the present. Every day I woke up, took a deep breath, and told myself, ‘You have today.’ That mindset completely changed my life.”

Elle’s newfound focus erased a decade of anxiety. “I stopped catastrophising. I wasn’t thinking about what others might think of me. I was just grateful—grateful to eat, breathe, and carry this baby.”

Deciding to Continue the Pregnancy

One of the toughest moments came when doctors advised Elle to terminate her pregnancy. “My first instinct was to do as I was told. But my husband kicked me under the table and said we’d think about it. That gave me the space to research.”

A second opinion from a specialist gave Elle hope. “He said there was a chance I could carry the baby and treat the cancer with medication in my third trimester. That gave me confidence to wait and see.”

By the 12-week mark, Elle knew her baby was a fighter. “I realized I had already made my decision the moment I saw that positive test. It was the right choice for me at that time.”

Living with Cancer

Elle’s cancer is still part of her life. “I have a mutation called the Philadelphia chromosome, which produces cancer cells. While there’s no cure yet, I’m on a treatment that suppresses it, extending life expectancy significantly. It’s a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so I live each day to the fullest.”

Rather than let fear dominate, Elle sees her diagnosis as a reminder of how lucky she is. “It keeps me grounded and grateful for every moment.”

The Biggest Lesson

“I was so focused on external validation—what others thought of me, my achievements, and superficial standards of beauty. My values weren’t driving my decisions; my ego was. That disconnect created a lot of anxiety.”

Now, Elle makes choices aligned with her true self. “I pause and ask, ‘Am I doing this for my ego, or is this what I really want?’ That simple shift has changed my life.”

Elle Halliwell’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and the incredible strength we find when life demands it most.

Elle's journey led to her becoming an entrepreneur

Through her health journey - Elle discovered the health benefits of ear seeds and launched her own brand of ear seeds called Auricle Ear Seeds. And lucky me got a demo and scored some free ear seeds when Elle and I finished the podcast!

I love them and am now a big fan!

About Auricle Ear Seeds

Auricle Ear Seeds is founded on the philosophy that a centred mind, gentle touch and holistic self-care are the keystones of optimal health and happiness.