Extraordinary Health Magazine Extraordinary Health Vol 30 | Page 45

EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH: You’ve had great professional
success. What is the biggest personal accomplishment from
your career?
SAMANTHA HARRIS: Broadway—it was a childhood dream.
Being on stage singing and dancing in eight shows a week was
electrifying in so many ways. As a mom—it was a challenge. I was
also working full time for The Insider. It was a very busy 7-day work
week for that summer, but it couldn’t have been more rewarding.
EH: You suffered a difficult public journey with breast cancer.
After a clean mammogram, you found a suspicious lump just
days after doctors assured you it was fine. However, you knew
something wasn't right. How did you know?
SH: I think the fact that I was exercising regularly for many years
prior to my diagnosis helped immensely. It helped me to be really
in tune with my body and I noticed the lump very quickly. I think
you want to believe the word of the doctor, but after the first two
doctors told me it was nothing, there was still a nagging in my gut.
EH: How did your health issues shift your focus towards
hosting TV to working on many charitable causes?
SH: I was always very charitable and involved, from Feeding
America to March of Dimes—but I shifted my focus more towards
cancer research organizations. My journey led me to discovering
the healthiest version of myself, and creating Gotta Make
Lemonade—a website my husband and I launched to inspire
positivity in the face of adversity. There are so many things in life
that knock us down. With two little girls, we wanted to teach them
a life lesson. It’s not about getting knocked down—it’s how you
get back up and what you do once you’re back on your feet. Turn
lemons into something better. That’s why Gotta Make Lemonade
was born.
EH: How did your relationship with Hollywood change after
all of this?
SH: Everyone was really supportive in the community. It’s shifted
my own perspective on the intensity and the need for what I’m
pursuing. At the end of the day, what I care about is spending time
with my kids, husband and mom—that’s really what matters.
EH: I love one of your mottos, “perspiration met inspiration at the
gym.” What are some of your favorite current fitness routines?
SH: As I continued on my post-surgery, cancer-free journey,
I learned that although I was fit and healthy, there was clearly
something that wasn’t right in my world that had led my body
to develop cancer. I went on a search, and my answer was the
environment. I can’t control LA smog, but I can control a big part
of what I’m putting in, on and around my body. That included food,
products for my face and hair, even cleaning products in my
household. I did a complete overhaul. It’s still a work in progress but
it’s been incredibly beneficial.
I also shifted to a more plant-based lifestyle, with a good amount
of fish and occasional poultry. I was using a whey protein that
wasn’t very clean—that’s how I discovered Garden of Life.
A nutritionist I was working with suggested a list of brands
to try, and Garden of Life was the one I liked the most.
First and foremost, I like the flavor. Since it was early in my
transition to plant-based protein, I was looking for something
that was going to taste really good and be similar in texture to
the whey I had been using. It mixed easily and was really smooth.
Since I was paying closer attention to ingredients, I was very happy
with the fact that both are raw and Certified UDSA Organic.
I now have more energy than ever. I never used to start the
day with greens, to essentially put a salad into a smoothie.
Now vegetables are my entrée, not my side dish.
EH: Gotta Make Lemonade is an inspiring
outlet for so many struggling to overcome
life’s challenges. What advice do you have
for others trying to stay strong?
SH: Surround yourself with a
community of support, whether it’s
family, friends or even just confiding in
one other person. There’s no reason to
endure challenges like illness or a major
disappointment alone. I think the
Gotta Make Lemonade stories help
people realize if someone else can
come away succeeding—they can,
too. I’m always looking for more
stories, and I read every submission
that comes in. I’m so grateful and happy,
and it’s very inspiring for me as well.
SH: I’ve been into a lot of HIIT training. As a busy working mom,
if I can accomplish cardio, sculpting and muscle conditioning in the
same class, that’s terrific. I also need to create some balance with
yoga, so I try to get to 1-to-2 classes a week. If I’m really crunched
for time, I might use a phone app to do some yoga at home.
EH: Garden of Life ® Raw Organic Protein and Raw Organic Perfect
Food ® are some of your noted nutrition staples. How did you discover
the brand, and what changes have you noticed?
Photo Credit: Andrew Southam