Dialogues

Jun 10, 2025, 07:48

Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis: Interview with Renee Exelbert, Hosted by Adrian Pogacian

In the last episode of ‘Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis’, Adrian Pogacian debates about leveraging the mind-body connection to cope through cancer, along with Renee A. Exelbert, licensed New York state psychologist and a certified elite personal trainer.

Adrian Pogacian, licensed clinical psychologist, with executive education in Psycho-oncology, holding a degree in Global Health Diplomacy from Geneva Graduate Instituteand a certificate in Medical Intel Course from NATO School, Oberammergau.

Currently, invited speaker and associate lecturer with focus on Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Couples and Families, Communication in Cancer Care and managing Fear of Recurrence. His expertise is on Coping with Cancer and Posttraumatic Growth.

Additionally, Founder of INCKA Psycho-oncology Center incka.org, Host of Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis Interview Series at OncoDaily.com, Journalist at CancerWorld.net, co-author of the first Romanian Multimodal Care Guideline in Pediatric Onco-hematology, active contributor to the International Psycho-oncology Society, presentlyIPOS Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FORwards) Special Interest Group Board Member(2025-2027), IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology CommitteeFounding Member (2023-2026) and Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) member.

Dr. Renee A. Exelbert, Ph.D., CFT, is both a licensed New York state psychologist and a certified elite personal trainer. She received her B.S. from Cornell University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from New York University. After serving as Staff Psychologist at the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Winthrop Hospital Cancer Center, working with children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Exelbert received her own cancer diagnosis. This prompted her to found The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change, where she integrates psychotherapy and exercise, with a unique focus on the mind/body connection through use of visual imagery and cognitions.

She also became a bodybuilding competitor, honoring the process of regaining control of her body after cancer. Dr. Exelbert is the author of “Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned from Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Patient (Mascot Books, 2020). She is a regular expert media contributor and has appeared in numerous outlets including: Thrive Global; Good Housekeeping; The New York Post; Parade Magazine; CNBC; Today; Popsugar, Shape Magazine; Runner’s World Magazine and television: Fox5 News; Newsmax; NewsNation; and Merit Street Media. Dr. Exelbert maintains a private practice in Nyack, New York for the treatment of children, adolescents, adults and families.

She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development where she teaches Masters-level psychology courses.