I found in the end experience surpasses all.

Six weeks after I left my corporate executive job to strike out on my own, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chaos ensued, and everything in my life quickly spun out of control. As someone who had been in control and methodically planned every step of my life, this diagnosis was a nightmare on top of a catastrophe. Blindsided, I reeled for quite some time as I reached for something, anything, that would make sense of the bedlam.

After I survived my ordeal, I knew I had too much valuable experience not to share it and help others with their cancer journey. I began volunteering on a breast cancer helpline. For fifteen years I coached people who were dealing with the terror of cancer, helping them find their purpose, organize their chaos, persevere through painful obstacles and strategize about life changes. I supported them as they made difficult decisions and were challenged by outside forces, and I helped them recognize their strength.

I bring those skills — honed by speaking with hundreds of people in crisis — to my advice and support. In addition, I’ve learned to deal with the manic depression and anxiety I’ve suffered from since childhood, and I’ve struggled with an outsized ego but low self-esteem. Through all that, I climbed the corporate ladder to become a director at a Fortune 500 company, survived breast cancer, rebuilt my design business after 9/11, founded a non-profit, came back from extensive back surgery and wrote a book. 

I’ve taken personal-development and self-empowerment training but found in the end that experience surpasses all.

I truly believe there’s an upside to everything we go through. To find an upside to a tough situation doesn’t mean you liked or enjoyed the event. It doesn’t mean you remember it fondly or want to do it again. It doesn’t excuse what happened or validate it. Looking for a positive aspect to a bad situation doesn’t diminish or negate the pain or hurt it caused. Finding an upside means you’re taking away more from a difficult time than only pain and anger. You’ve perfected skills in each hardship you’ve confronted. I can help you learn to use those talents to your benefit to attain your goals and desires.

Fotos of Theresa by Franklin Thompson.