For most of us, even imagining the physical and emotional toll of battling cancer is enough to leave us shaken. It’s a disease that demands more strength than many could ever fathom, testing even the strongest in ways that words can hardly capture. And yet, there are people like Holly Cain, whose resolve and positivity shine through even the darkest moments. In her second battle with cancer, the veteran NASCAR journalist has not only kept her head high but has inspired countless others with her unshakable optimism.

Cain recently opened up about her journey in a heartfelt conversation with former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace. As she spoke about her health and the trials of the past year, she revealed something truly remarkable: a positivity that refuses to be dimmed, no matter how tough the road ahead seems. So how does she manage to keep this outlook?

Holly Cain: A life of writing and resilience

For over three decades, Holly Cain has been a fixture in the motorsports world. She’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and, as of late, a fighter. In her recent chat with Kenny Wallace on his YouTube show, Cain shared a health update that left fans both relieved and inspired.

“My health is pretty good. My doctor was really proud. My lab work still isn’t perfect, but I’m not perfect. If it were perfect, I’d think something was wrong. I have never been perfect in my life about anything,” she quipped with her signature wit. Despite missing six or seven months last year due to chemotherapy and radiation, Cain’s outlook remains resolutely positive.

This isn’t her first dance with the disease. Cain faced her initial cancer diagnosis back in 2014, but this second bout, she admitted, “kind of threw me for more of a loop.” Still, her optimism shines through. “On Twitter, you are not going to see anything negative from me because I don’t have time for anything negative,” she told Wallace. “I see the good people. I see the good in the world, and it may sound silly, but that’s how I try and live my life now.”

Even while undergoing treatment, Cain has stayed deeply connected to her work. Writing about NASCAR isn’t just a job for her—it’s a calling. Her words have chronicled countless moments in motorsports history, earning her prestigious honors like the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award, the Henry McLemore Motorsports Press Award, and the distinction of being the first woman to win the Bob Russo Founders Award. That passion hasn’t waned, even in the face of chemotherapy sessions and hospital visits.

That philosophy is something she’s proud to pass on to her two children. “My daughter is a senior in college. My son is 24, getting his pilot’s license. To both of them, I try to convey that you get more out of this world being positive,” Cain explained. “I think people respond to you better. This may sound like, ‘Oh, you’re just saying this at Christmas time,’ but I really try to be like that all year, and it’s a good choice.”

A fighter’s history

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Cain’s first encounter with cancer was in 2014, a moment she has described as both surreal and terrifying. “On Wednesday, July 2, the day before I left to cover the Daytona race, I received the full diagnosis,” she told NASCAR.com. “I had advanced-stage breast cancer and faced an aggressive—honestly, frightening—treatment plan. But the scope, gravity, and magnitude didn’t immediately set in. I didn’t even cry. I didn’t know what had hit me.”

What followed was a grueling journey of treatments and tests, all while raising two young children. But instead of letting the disease define her, Cain found strength in her family. “Instead of looking at my children as a weakness, I used them to reinforce my heart and overcome the disease,” she said. Her resilience earned her widespread admiration, with figures like Danica Patrick and Clint Bowyer offering their support.

Cain’s unyielding spirit and ability to channel positivity in the face of hardship earned her the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award that year. The recognition was well-deserved and a testament to her courage and commitment to her craft.

Now 56, Cain remains a beacon of hope and determination. Her recent health updates are encouraging, and fans are thrilled at the prospect of seeing her back at the track. “The best thing is to sleep well, feel fresh in the morning, and do your job,” Cain said, summarizing her philosophy. It’s a simple mantra, but one that has carried her through some of life’s darkest moments.