Diane Simard – Top 100 Nat’l Women in Biz to Watch | Executive Leader Legacy Creator | Keynote Speaker | Breast Cancer Survivor | COPE Founder | Psycho-oncology Influencer – Episode 269

Extraordinary Women Radio

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to a friend, client, motivational speaker, executive leader, and cancer survivor, Diane Simard. This interview will give you insight into her unique journey and inspire you to stay driven and share your own story. In This Episode: How a traumatic experience caused her to turn inward The epiphany she had in her early forties when she discovered she wanted to live with more peace in her life Diane gets personal about her diagnosis with breast cancer and how this changed her life by catapulting her onto an unexpected journey Her experience in finding Behavioral Health Psychology How journaling about her experience with cancer turned into a published book Diane M. Simard is a survivor. Of angel investments made in companies run by inexperienced leaders. Of a father whose undiagnosed PTSD landed him in a psych ward when she was 5. But it was during a debilitating bout of vertigo during her year-long treatment for late-Stage III breast cancer in 2015 when she discovered her calling: To bring attention and resources to the life-long psychological trauma created by cancer. Diane’s experience as a business executive, writer, and connector led her to seed-fund and launch the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) at the University of Denver the night before her one-year survivor anniversary. COPE was her “life raft” that helped her find her voice, channel her trauma, and create impact. She is a motivational speaker and podcast guest; a patient advisor for a digital therapeutics company; and a producer of media projects, including her monthly blog, Mid-life Moxie. Diane was recognized as one of the inaugural Top 100 National Women in Business to Watch by Bizwomen.com and one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her multi award-winning memoir, The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer, was also named one of the best breast cancer books of all time. "Cancer is never invited, and cancer never leaves." To learn more about Diane and her work you can visit her website, purchase her book, connect with her on Facebook or LinkedIn. Let's Meet Diane Simard. Diane Simard Show Notes