A fitness blogger who sparked outrage for claiming getting cancer was a sign your body was trying to save you has apologised for her controversial views.
Olivia Budgen, from Brisbane, penned the Instagram post last week to ‘challenge’ people’s beliefs about cancer, suggesting the disease isn’t ‘actually bad at all’.
The self-proclaimed health coach initially argued that getting the condition would help the body work properly again after being flooded with toxins.
But on Wednesday, the young woman issued an apology on YouTube after she was slammed on social media for her post, which has since been deleted.
Fitness blogger Olivia Budgen (pictured) who sparked outrage for claiming getting cancer was a sign your body was trying to save you has apologised for her controversial views
She explained her views had stemmed from a book titled ‘Cancer is not a Disease – It’s a Survival Mechanism’ – written by German alternative medical practitioner Andreas Moritz
She explained her views had stemmed from a book titled ‘Cancer is not a Disease – It’s a Survival Mechanism’ – written by German alternative medical practitioner Andreas Moritz.
‘I would like to sincerely apologise to all of you who I offended. This was not my intention at all,’ she said in the video.
‘Many of the statements made in his book [are] made by doctors, I really resonated with and was inspired to share them.
‘In no way was I trying to minimise the seriousness of cancer. In retrospect, I did not reference the author correctly. I can see now that that was an error in my judgement.
‘I want to thank you all for your assistance in bringing that to my attention.’
The self-proclaimed health coach initially argued that getting the condition would help the body work properly again after it has been flooded with toxins
After attracting criticism, Olivia said she felt ‘confused’ and ‘disappointed’ with herself for implying ‘cancer was a good thing’.
‘I do not believe this and I’m sorry if my post appeared to suggest otherwise,’ she said.
‘Having direct family members experience cancer, I understand how horrific the circumstances can be.
‘It kills me to think that my message came across as insensitive because that is the furthest thing from my intention.
‘If you follow my health journey, you would know that I’ve experienced chronic health issues for the significant part of my adult life.’
The blogger penned the Instagram post last week to ‘challenge’ people’s beliefs about cancer
The shocking Instagram post saw Budgen claim that tumours are a way to protect from toxins
Olivia said her ‘passion’ was to ‘help others improve their health naturally because I have suffered and I can see many others around me suffering.
‘I’m honestly all about encouraging others to take responsibility for their health and to give themselves the best possible chance of avoiding disease.’
‘My intention with this post is to highlight different perspectives on topics which I believe to be very important but which aren’t spoken enough.
‘I come from a place of love, my true intention is where my heart lies.’
The video has since been viewed more than 3,000 times but many were far from impressed with her apology.
‘It’s excruciating to watch my mom die from a disease and have someone say it is good for her. My mom has no chance of surviving esophageal cancer,’ one wrote.
Another said: ‘I’d tell my dad about this, but his healthy, body-saving lung cancer killed him.’
And another posted: ‘Be very very careful Olivia. You are endangering lives with this information.’
The self-proclaimed health coach had intially suggested the disease isn’t ‘actually bad at all’
After attracting criticism, Olivia said she felt ‘confused’ and ‘disappointed’ with herself for implying ‘cancer was a good thing’
However, many defended the blogger, saying she didn’t need to apologise for her opinion – and that she should stand up to what she believes in.
‘I understand why you made this video but I think you had no reason to apologize. Some people just overreact and hate it when people tell the truth because they feel bad about their unhealthy and harmful choices,’ one wrote.
Another said: ‘Olivia the only thing you did wrong…was delete your original video speaking the universal truths. Stay strong during the backlash.’
Her apology comes just a week after she stirred controversy on Instagram for writing: ‘CANCER AND DISEASE IS YOUR BODY TRYING TO SAVE YOU’.
‘Allow me to possibly challenge your beliefs about cancer and other diseases. What if these conditions were not actually bad at all? What if they were created by the body to help save you?’ she wrote.
‘Being open-minded and changing your perspective around what disease actually is and why it’s happening, will allow you to take back control of your health and realise that your body is ALWAYS working for you, and never against you.’