The Diagnosis that Fuels Purpose and Legacy

What would you do with your life if you knew you had a sooner-rather-than-later expiration date? How would facing that finality alter the direction of your life? Or would it at all? Gwen Rich knows she has limited time on the planet due to her breast...
What would you do with your life if you knew you had a sooner-rather-than-later expiration date? How would facing that finality alter the direction of your life? Or would it at all? Gwen Rich knows she has limited time on the planet due to her breast cancer diagnosis and is doing anything but complaining about it. She’s living life large, out to make the biggest impact she can on others with her time left, and savoring every moment. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all lived like this and worked on purpose to leave a legacy, even without a terminal diagnosis prompting our urgency?
1
00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:09.000
There are some people that make their
work just another thing they have to do,
2
00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:12.599
and there are those that make their
work something that they want to do.
3
00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:18.800
Welcome to Working on Purpose with your
host Elise Cortez. In our program,
4
00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:23.679
we provide guidance and inspiration from those
people who have found deeper meaning and
5
00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:28.839
personal connection to their work life.
It's beyond nine to five. It's working
6
00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:34.960
on Purpose. Now Here is your
host, Elise Cortez. I'm your host,
7
00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:37.840
Elise Cortez, joining you from Dallas, which is home base for me.
8
00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:41.640
This program is all about helping people
more meaningfully and productively connect with their
9
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:45.039
work and equipping leaders to do the
same for their employees. In terms of
10
00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:48.679
cultivating meaning and purpose in the workplace, I bring on guests who have a
11
00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:52.719
particular perspective or experience that I think
contributes to or expands this conversation. And
12
00:00:52.759 --> 00:00:55.880
as a management consultant and social scientist, I draw on the meaning and work
13
00:00:55.880 --> 00:00:59.240
and identity research I've been doing over
the last fifteen years, as well as
14
00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:03.880
from my own consul speaking and developing
experience work across the globe. Last week,
15
00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.680
if you missed the show live,
you can always catch it recorded podcast.
16
00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:08.400
We were on the air with Kate
White, the New York Times best
17
00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:14.040
selling author of twelve murder Mysteries and
thrillers and several popular career books, including
18
00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:18.519
The gut Sea Girl Handbook or Manifesto
for Success. She used the previous editor
19
00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:22.599
in chief of Cosopolitan magazine as well. We talked about several of the success
20
00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:25.680
tips in her book and how she
has used them in her own career making
21
00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:27.920
her way what was in very much
a man's world then as a leader.
22
00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:32.719
With us this week is Gwen Rich. She is a wife, mother of
23
00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:36.959
four, an accredited image stylist,
small business owner, philanthropist, and Wall
24
00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:41.640
Street Journal best selling author of Stop
Complaining, Make Your Own Luck. After
25
00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:47.959
eight years and eight misdiagnoses, Gwen
was ultimately diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer
26
00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:51.840
in twenty twelve. Struggling to decide
what to do with the time she had
27
00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:56.359
left, she launched the Gwyn Marie
Collection Purses with a Purpose in twenty fourteen.
28
00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:00.200
Gwen continues to fulfill her mission of
helping others. Her legacy on the
29
00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:04.280
go is the development of an online
teaching community called The Rich Solution. Today,
30
00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:07.079
we'll talk about the history of breast
cancer, what women can do to
31
00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:09.879
prevent it, and hear about these
amazing initiatives she's pouring herself into despite her
32
00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:14.919
diagnosis. She joins us today from
Chicago, Illinois. Gwen, welcome to
33
00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:19.080
Working on Purpose. It's amazing to
have you here. Thank you. Oh
34
00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:22.599
I'm so excited to be here,
and thank you for giving me the opportunity
35
00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:24.759
to be here with you and your
viewers. Oh my gosh, you know
36
00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:29.039
it's it's You're so welcome. And
I from the moment that we met,
37
00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:34.360
I was just so honored and really
moved by who you are, Gwen,
38
00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:37.919
as a person and what you're up
to in life. And to that end,
39
00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:42.159
I do want to start this conversation
by crediting the woman who did bring
40
00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:45.120
us together, and that's Henda Samran. She's a dear friend of mine and
41
00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.680
you caught wind of her and your
and your story, and if you want
42
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:53.159
to say more about that, that's
great. But if you would start by
43
00:02:53.199 --> 00:03:00.319
sharing the story of of discovering your
own cancer, if you will. Yeah,
44
00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.560
it wasn't a long road. I
was misdiagnosed for eight years, So
45
00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:06.000
I'm not going to go over that
because it takes a long time, but
46
00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:09.960
it got to the point where after
the eighth doctor, someone recommended I actually
47
00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:14.840
go see a different type of a
doctor, a neural surgeons, and which
48
00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:17.000
I did. So that was the
ninth doctor who was had a total different
49
00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:23.000
perspective. This doctor ordered an MRI
for me, which none of the other
50
00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:25.360
doctors would order a new one.
I had one done in two thousand and
51
00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:30.599
four, which they were all privy
too. And of course this new MRI
52
00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:38.360
that was done in twenty twelve showed
the lytic lesions all down my smind that
53
00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:42.039
all the other doctors had missed over
the eight years, as well as the
54
00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:46.879
mammograms had missed, So I know
that sums it up very shortly. It
55
00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:52.319
was a very long, painful eight
years, but I certainly was relieved.
56
00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:55.719
I was actually blessed when I got
the diagnosis. I don't know if anyone
57
00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:01.599
who's listening has ever had some type
of a simple or chronic pain and then
58
00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.520
the doctors can't figure out what it
is, and that's what happened to me
59
00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:09.479
for eight years, and so they
really thought I thought I was crazy.
60
00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:14.960
No one believed me, so finally, when I got the diagnosis November six,
61
00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:19.160
twenty twelve. I was actually relieved
and blessed that finally I had something,
62
00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:24.639
I knew what it was and we
could move forward from there. You
63
00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:28.879
are so strong. When so strong, I want to also say a little
64
00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:32.600
bit about our coming from Henda,
because I'm wondering how it was that you
65
00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.439
crossed pass with her. So Henda
got cancer or breast cancer in her I
66
00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:40.759
think it was her early forties,
and then she got clear of it,
67
00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:43.639
and then she went off immediately and
had a heart attack. So she said,
68
00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:46.360
by both breast cancer and a heart
attack and like a short amount of
69
00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:48.680
time. And what does she do
is she trots herself down to Austin,
70
00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:54.600
Texas and gets a bill passed called
Hinda's Law, and that law is designed
71
00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:59.879
to be able to help alert women
that just just mamography is not the only
72
00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:01.680
way to be able to detect that
there might be a presence of tumors.
73
00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:06.040
It's if you have dense breast tissue. And I really applaud that she was
74
00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:10.079
able to do that. She's now
actually working to create that effort on it
75
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:14.920
on a national basis. How did
you cross pass with Henda? Yeah,
76
00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:17.279
I was very fortunate, and I
say very lucky so when I was first
77
00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:21.040
diagnosed, I did what a lot
of people do and I went on the
78
00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:26.079
internet, which I didn't. I
don't do that anymore. And it was
79
00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:30.040
shortly thereafter that I stopped doing it
because that it becomes too overwhelming. But
80
00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:33.600
I was fortunate enough that going through
the Internet, I found out about Henda
81
00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:39.439
and Henda's law and I thought,
this was the most amazing woman. And
82
00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:42.519
when I was thinking about what I
was going to do with the rest of
83
00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:46.000
the time I have left, because
I was my cancer diagnosis is incurable,
84
00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:48.759
and I thought, well, gosh, you know, at that time,
85
00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:51.240
I think there's only twenty some states, and I thought, you know what,
86
00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:54.680
Illinois is not one of them.
That's what I'm going to do.
87
00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:57.360
And I thought, you know,
I can't do that. I hate politics.
88
00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.319
It's too negative. I need something
that's going to be positive, is
89
00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:03.639
something that I'm passionate about. I
would have been passionate about that, but
90
00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:09.759
it just too much negativity, too
much stress, and so I just thought,
91
00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:12.959
I want to meet this woman one
day, and it just so happened.
92
00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:16.879
We do my husband and I do
some philanthropic work in Dallas, and
93
00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:23.240
they were having their networking meeting the
next morning, and I was asked if
94
00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:28.600
I wanted to go as a businesswoman
to promote my business, the Gwen Recollection,
95
00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:31.000
and they she asked me if I
know who Henda was, and I
96
00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:33.879
said, you've got to be kidding
me. You're not talking about Henda with
97
00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:38.360
Henda's law, are you. And
she said yes, and she said,
98
00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:41.160
well you can meet her and I
went, oh, my gosh, So
99
00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:45.040
that was someone who I wanted to
meet and did get the pleasure of meeting
100
00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:48.680
her, and it was It's been
wonderful ever since. So we stay connected
101
00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:53.680
as much as we can with both
of our busy lives. Well, and
102
00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:56.040
you're both up to some really powerful
things. And I want to talk more
103
00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:58.839
about what you're up to here a
little bit later, but before we get
104
00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:02.040
into that going, I really want
to help our listeners understand just to share
105
00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:08.839
academic epidemic issue related to breast cancer
for women across the globe. Can you
106
00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:12.480
just give us some stats about how
many women might be dealing with it or
107
00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:16.240
have dealt with it, or maybe
have we've lost Sure, Absolutely, I
108
00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:20.759
think it's important to put in context. So breast cancer is the most common
109
00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:28.560
cancer in women worldwide, it's the
second most common cancer overall, and it's
110
00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:33.120
the leading cause of cancer death in
the less developed countries, and it's the
111
00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:39.199
second leading cause of cancer death in
American women, which is exceeded only by
112
00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:46.560
lung cancer. So breast cancer is
the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women of
113
00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:49.600
one hundred and forty excuse me,
in one hundred forty of one hundred and
114
00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:55.920
eighty four countries. So globally,
breast cancer now represents one in four of
115
00:07:55.959 --> 00:08:00.959
all cancers in women. So to
bring it more here, in the United
116
00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:07.519
States, in two thousand and seventeen, we had sixty over sixty three thousand
117
00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:11.639
that were diagnosed. They were in
pseudo cases, and that means that the
118
00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:16.199
cancer stayed in its place. And
we also the same year had over two
119
00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:22.600
hundred and fifty thousand invasive cases,
and that's where the cancer moves from the
120
00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:28.480
primary site to somewhere else, whether
that's an organ or bones, and deaths
121
00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:35.360
we had in two thousand and seventeen
over forty thousand, and that's just in
122
00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:39.080
the year two thousand and seventeen.
So it's it's it affects a lot of
123
00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:43.720
people. That is a lot of
numbers. That's a lot. I want.
124
00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.559
I don't. I didn't know any
of those numbers, and I but
125
00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:48.120
I wanted, I knew they were
big. I just but I thought it
126
00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:50.720
was important for us to start by
talking about just just the sheer size of
127
00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:54.919
this this issue, this problem.
And when I when I think about breast
128
00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:58.399
cancer, you know, I remember
when my grandmother was alive. She's been
129
00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:01.200
gone for years, but you know, I don't remember us ever talking about
130
00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:05.639
anything like that when she was around. So I think it would also be
131
00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:09.320
interesting to understand what's the history behind
breast cancer. Where did this disease come
132
00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:13.039
from? And how long am we
really known about it? Yeah, and
133
00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:18.320
that's a good question because I think
most people. I've never talked about history
134
00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:20.720
with other people, not even my
doctors, so most people it's not a
135
00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:28.000
general conversation. So the first humans
that knew about breast cancer was a long
136
00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:33.320
time ago, and that dates back
to three thousand to twenty five hundred BC.
137
00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:39.080
The first radical mass sectomy was done
in eighteen eighty two, so then
138
00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:43.240
we jump all the way to eighteen
ninety five and that's when the first X
139
00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:50.759
ray was taken. Nineteen thirty seven, radiation therapy was used in addition to
140
00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:54.879
surgery. And then we jump all
the way to nineteen seventy eight and that's
141
00:09:54.919 --> 00:10:00.879
when the first drug to maxifen was
approved by the FDAY and this is still
142
00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:03.159
used today. This is the first
drug. It's usually the first course of
143
00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:09.200
treatment, depending on what type of
breast cancer you have that they start off
144
00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:11.960
with. That's what I used.
Only lasted about six months for me.
145
00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:18.320
In nineteen eighty five, they discovered
the early stage breast cancer and those that
146
00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:24.320
were treated with a lump ectomy and
radiation had similar survival rates to the women
147
00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:31.120
who were treated only with the mess
sectomy, So that's interesting. Jump to
148
00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:35.399
nineteen ninety five and we get into
the scientists found the clone the tumor suppressor
149
00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:39.600
for the Broca one and two gene, which is very important. We'll talk
150
00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:46.399
about the mutation later. On nineteen
ninety six, FDA approves eye brands,
151
00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:52.519
which is a drug I went on. This is considered a chemo drug and
152
00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:56.679
this is only for certain types of
cancer and it helps to stop the tumor
153
00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:03.039
growth. Let's see nineteen ninety eight. We have to oxifin decreases the risks
154
00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:09.399
of breast cancer. Who for the
women who are at risk by fifty percent,
155
00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:15.159
so that's a big number. We
also have in two thousand and six
156
00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:20.799
another drug, reloxifin, so it
reduces breast cancer risk for the post menopausal
157
00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:24.799
women. There are a lot of
factors when you have breast cancer and if
158
00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:30.240
your post menopausal or menopausal can depend
on what drugs you can take. So
159
00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:35.559
we know that breast cancer is becoming
a much more personalized as the doctors learn
160
00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:41.559
more about this disease. So we
see the disease with subtypes that have different
161
00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:45.000
patterns and ways of acting on the
body. So it has the ability to
162
00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:52.600
isolate specific genes and clarify breast cancer
and in the beginning, so you can
163
00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:58.399
have a more tailored treatment option,
which is really important. It's really helping
164
00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:03.399
with the care of patients with their
treatment. Hopefully they don't have to go
165
00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:09.399
through treatments that don't work and cause
a lot of side effects. So we've
166
00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:13.879
really come a long way with that. Definitely come a long way since age
167
00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:16.679
in Greece. We know a lot
more about breast cancer forms and how to
168
00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.960
treat it, and I think what
is more important is that early detection and
169
00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:26.799
treatment is considered the best line of
defense. Against breast cancer. So I
170
00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:31.600
know we're going to talk about some
of that stuff later on. Yes,
171
00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:35.879
So one of the things that just
most recently when I think about how we're
172
00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.360
some of the things we're doing to
try to arm ourselves with this here.
173
00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:43.960
So mamography versus three D imaging,
what's the difference there, right, And
174
00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:48.240
that's a great question. So one
of Okay, what I didn't mention about
175
00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:54.960
my diagnosis, I mentioned that eight
mammograms miss my cancer. That means eight
176
00:12:54.080 --> 00:13:00.519
radiologists missed it too, And that's
because I have dense breast tissue and my
177
00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:05.080
doctors did not inform me of that. And so when a woman has dense
178
00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:09.320
breast tissue, she is at a
higher risk for breast cancer. And one
179
00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:13.879
of the drawbacks with a mammogram is
that it cannot see the tumor. You
180
00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:18.240
have to think about the back of
the film of a mammogram is white,
181
00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:24.320
a tumor is white, So it's
like looking for a snowball in a snowstorm.
182
00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:26.879
So, just like myself, there
are many women who go misdiagnosed if
183
00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:33.159
they have a mammogram because you cannot
see the tumor. And so now and
184
00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:37.799
thanks to Henda's law. It's I
think in thirty five states now. But
185
00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:41.639
we have better imaging, so you
can have a whole breast ultrasound, you
186
00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:46.679
can have three D momography, you
can have light therapy, many different options
187
00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:48.720
so a woman doesn't have to feel
like a mammogram is the only thing.
188
00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:52.480
In fact, if you have dense
breast tissue, I would recommend that everyone
189
00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:56.600
go into your doctor and you demand
one of the three D options because a
190
00:13:56.679 --> 00:14:01.279
momography is just not going to do
it for you, you know when that's
191
00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:03.360
so important. And I want to
add on to what you just said there
192
00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:07.200
because when I talked in the beginning
about Handa sam Ran and her Handa's Law,
193
00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.679
the importance of that, the cignificance
of that is just exactly what's happened
194
00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:13.360
to you and what happened to her, and that was that she went going
195
00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:18.320
through her memograms for all those years
and getting the clear signal coming out of
196
00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.240
them, but never being told that
she had dense press tissues, so that
197
00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:24.720
she never knew to ask for other
options. And so what Handa's Law does
198
00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:28.120
is it actually says to women,
look, you know there are some women,
199
00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:31.960
many women have dense priss tissue and
it looks like you do in this
200
00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:35.960
in some cases, in which case
you should look at other options to evaluate
201
00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:39.440
your your you know, whatever concerns
that you might have or potential risks.
202
00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:43.159
That is the value of Handa's laws
of being able to clear that to women
203
00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:46.639
that they either have dense breast tissue
and have need to look for other ways
204
00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:50.679
to look for ways to see if
they've got any tumors or that is even
205
00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:54.480
present in and of itself, because
most of us women didn't know that before
206
00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:58.679
she came to the table with that
correct. Yeah, it's so important.
207
00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.320
I'm such a fan of what she's
doing. And in fact, as I
208
00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:05.039
said, I know she's out there
still evangelizing and listeners. You know,
209
00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:09.639
both Gwen and hand need help on
this issue. So if you're interested and
210
00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.679
want to lend a hand, we
need more feet and more hands. So
211
00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:18.600
just there's ways to find both Gwen
and I. So, so, Gwen,
212
00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:22.600
anything else, I mean, I
really appreciated that the historical perspective that
213
00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:26.360
you just gave us. I had
no idea that we had this inkling way
214
00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:31.159
back to three thousand BC. Anything
else that we need to understand about the
215
00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:35.480
history of breast cancer. Yeah,
I think there's something that's really important.
216
00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:43.759
So cancer is caused by changes to
our molecular structures in the body called genes.
217
00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:48.759
Okay, So these changes are known
as mutations abnormalities, and they could
218
00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:54.960
be caused by randomly things like outside
influences like pollution, smoking, sun exposure,
219
00:15:56.039 --> 00:16:00.639
because they would be inherited through your
family line as well. But not
220
00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:07.440
everyone is born with a gene mutation
will develop this cancer. So inherited gene
221
00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:12.720
mutations may be passed from either parent
and may increase the risk in both men
222
00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:18.480
and women. I said men too, and the risk from inherited gene mutation
223
00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:22.200
varies greatly depending on the agnormalty and
other factors. But I think what people
224
00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:26.840
need to know is that just like
we all have cancer genes in our body,
225
00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:32.559
whether they're turned on or not is
the question on or off the Broca
226
00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:37.120
one and two gene, which is
the mutation for breast cancer. So not
227
00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:42.759
everyone has. About twelve percent of
women in the general population will develop cancer
228
00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:47.600
due to the Brocko gene. But
what they need to know so many women
229
00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:53.279
they're frozen by the knowledge that someone
in their family or maybe they have the
230
00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:56.240
Brocko gene, so they automatically feel
that they're going to get it. They're
231
00:16:56.279 --> 00:17:00.320
just doomed, and they may have
the mentality that I'm not going to do
232
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:04.000
anything about it because I'm automatically going
to get cancer. But I'll get into
233
00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:07.680
it a little bit later. There's
so much that you can do. Even
234
00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:11.960
if you have the gene, does
not mean you are going to get the
235
00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:18.200
disease, which I think is really
important to note. There are risk factors
236
00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:23.720
develop to develop breast cancer, something
like drinking alcohol. I don't think women
237
00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:29.000
realize that if they drink alcohol,
they increase their risk for breast cancer.
238
00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.759
I'll hold on hold that thought,
if you hold that thought, if you
239
00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.680
would, when I want to talk
more about how to actually prevent cancer,
240
00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:37.160
there might be some of those things
in that bucket as well. But let's
241
00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:41.119
grab our first break here real quick. I'm your host. I'm your host,
242
00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.400
Elice Cortez. We went on the
air with Gwen Rich. She is
243
00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:47.200
a wife, mother of four,
an accredited image stylist, small business owner,
244
00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:51.279
philanthropist, and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of Stop Complaining, Make Your
245
00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.720
Own Luck. She joins us today
from Chicago, Illinois. We've been talking
246
00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:57.559
a bit about her own diagnosis with
breast cancer. In the history of this
247
00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.640
particular disease, the rick we're gonna
get into some of the ways we can
248
00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:04.200
prevent this cancer. Stay with us, We'll be right back. Elise Cortez
249
00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:10.720
is a speaker and engagement and development
catalyst. She designs and delivers professional development,
250
00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:15.680
leadership and engagement workshops and can bring
her expertise to your organization. She
251
00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:21.319
will help ignite meaningful development within your
workforce that will increase employee engagement, performance
252
00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:25.640
and retention. To learn more or
to invite Elise to speak to your organization,
253
00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:30.880
please visit her at www dot Elise
Cortez dot com. She would welcome
254
00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:41.079
the opportunity to help get your employees
working on purpose. This is working on
255
00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:45.880
Purpose with Elise Cortez. To reach
our program today, send an email to
256
00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:53.319
Elise Alis at Elise Cortez dot com. Now back to working on purpose.
257
00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:57.359
If you're just joining us, My
guest is Gwen Rich. After eight years
258
00:18:57.359 --> 00:19:03.480
and eight misdiagnoses, Quinn was ultimately
diagnosed with incurable menistatic breast cancer in twenty
259
00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:07.160
twelve. Struggling to decide what to
do with the time she had left she
260
00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:11.319
launched the Gwinn Marine Collection Pursues with
a Purpose in twenty fourteen. Gwyn continues
261
00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:15.839
to fulfill her emission on helping others. Her legacy on the go is the
262
00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:19.279
development of an online teaching community called
The Rich Solution. We've been talking a
263
00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:23.079
bit about how the history of breast
cancer came to be in her own situation.
264
00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:26.359
Now let's get into some of those
ways that you started talking about before
265
00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:30.799
they breakbot maybe prevent some of that
cancer. And you started talking about alcohol
266
00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:33.880
intake. Maybe take off from pick
up from where you left up there,
267
00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:40.640
if you would go in sure.
So we do know that breast cancer damages
268
00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.640
the cell DNA. That's something we
do know. What we do not know
269
00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:48.400
exactly unless you have the Brocko gene
what causes cancer. There are risk factors,
270
00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:52.319
and some of them that they do
know, as I mentioned, is
271
00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:59.200
drinking alcohol that can increase your risk
of getting cancer as well as it being
272
00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:02.680
in the family. Those are two
that we know of, and then of
273
00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:06.319
course there's many other risk factors that
they're really not sure if it has you
274
00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:11.359
know, if they can pinpoint any
one thing, what I think is really
275
00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:15.240
cool. I get really excited this
is from all the research I've done,
276
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.279
even before I was diagnosed, that
we know about epigetics. Okay, So
277
00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:22.680
this is a really new and exciting
field in science, and it studies the
278
00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:27.759
human behavior and how it confect gene
expression. This goes back to those who
279
00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:32.640
are worried about having cancer. Maybe
they have the Brocko gene in their family,
280
00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:36.680
or maybe they know they have the
Brocko gene the mutation. So we're
281
00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:41.039
talking about gene expression. So we
can't change which genes we inherit from our
282
00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:45.839
parents. We can, though,
through our behavior, change whether or not
283
00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:48.480
those genes are turned off and on. And I think this is so cool.
284
00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:52.799
So you have to remember that a
faulty gene that you've inherited can only
285
00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:57.960
hurt you if it's turned on.
So there was a recent study and it
286
00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:03.480
was about this study of a spiritual
practice, and it showed that meditating for
287
00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:12.079
a very short period of time significantly
changed gene expression in a healthy promoting way.
288
00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:15.960
So this is so cool. So
in other words, something like spiritual
289
00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:22.000
practice meditation, which I'll talk about
later, can actually turn healthy genes on
290
00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:26.440
and the healthy ones turned off.
So this is a really great discovery for
291
00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:33.160
cancer patients are those who are interested
in reducing their risks of a cancer diagnose
292
00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:40.759
or even a reoccurrence. So as
I want to get into patients or someone
293
00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:47.319
who is just once reduced their risks, can focus on certain behaviors like your
294
00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:51.839
diet, spiritual practice, exercise,
and so much more so that we can
295
00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:57.960
keep those genes turned off. And
this you can also do with chronic diseases
296
00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:03.799
and auto immune symptoms as well.
And we know that literally most everybody in
297
00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:07.920
our society is not only dealing with
cancer or someone who has cancer, but
298
00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:12.599
our health we're having failing health,
We're living longer with the quality of life
299
00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:18.039
is worse. So I think this
is a really neat something that I just
300
00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:22.079
found recently, and it just gives
me hope, and I think it would
301
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:26.319
give others hope as well, to
know that it's an empowerment that we can
302
00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:33.000
do so much to reduce the risks
of us getting cancer. Does that make
303
00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:37.079
sense? It does, and it
is incredibly empowering and encouraging. Gwen,
304
00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.480
I thank you so much for sharing
that. And of course I have a
305
00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:41.839
burning question. It's somebody who does
like to have a glass of wine at
306
00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:45.400
the end of the day, How
does alcohol work to increase the risk of
307
00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:52.240
cancer? What's going on with the
alcohol? I don't really know that specifically.
308
00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:56.000
I know that if you have cancer, I know that the sugar in
309
00:22:56.079 --> 00:23:00.119
it, which turns into glucose is
actually with the answer feeds off of.
310
00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:06.680
But I'm really not sure of the
science behind it before you're diagnosed. I
311
00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:11.000
don't know. Okay, it's okay, no, just fascinating. You gave
312
00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:15.559
us some really amazing information. And
you know what I also really appreciate too,
313
00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:18.559
is to your point earlier about people
getting me but they find out they
314
00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.359
have the Brocko gene, and they're
like, well, what's the point I
315
00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:22.880
just give up? I surrender.
Yet when you consider there is so much
316
00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:29.279
that's within their control to be able
to impact their risk of getting cancer or
317
00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:33.640
it's spreading or getting worse, I'm
finding very encouraging. Yeah. Yeah,
318
00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:37.720
I mean, I'm I have three
pillars to my business. It's empowerment,
319
00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:42.640
community, and faith. And empowerment
to me is so big when we when
320
00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:45.039
I talk to you about some of
the other things you can to me,
321
00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:49.440
I look at that and it just
gets me so excited because it's you've got
322
00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:53.720
to put in the work, okay, but there is a lot that you
323
00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:59.200
can do. We don't have to
take a diagnosis as an accept it as
324
00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:04.440
fate, even cancer diagnosis, Okay, So I want people when they hear
325
00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:10.400
that. So even whether you're given
an autoimmune disease, whether you have our
326
00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:15.039
cardiovascular disease type two or three diabetes, cancer, you don't have to accept
327
00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:19.039
it as fate. There's so much
that you can do to improve your quality
328
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:25.920
of health. And I think that's
just really encouraging and hopeful. I mean,
329
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.880
sometimes it's all people have is hope. I know there's been times where
330
00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:34.240
that's all I had. So hope
is medicine for me. Well, so
331
00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:38.079
you said empowerment. Where were the
other two pillars of your business? Yourtuality?
332
00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:41.119
Faith? Okay, community and faith. Would you say a little bit
333
00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:42.839
more about those are other two?
And I know we're going to say more
334
00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:45.799
about what you're up to later,
but just briefly touch on those if you
335
00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:52.839
would. Sure. So, Community
I think people need to know community is
336
00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:59.559
really important. Every person needs to
have a community in all the different areas
337
00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:03.400
of your life, so that when
you are faced with something, when you
338
00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:07.160
have a problem, when your problem
gets so big, you do have someone
339
00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:11.440
there, other people to help you
get it, get through it. I
340
00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:17.079
mean it can go beyond you know, espouse, a loved one, siblings,
341
00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:22.160
friends we're talking about. These can
be acquaintances, These could be someone
342
00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:27.559
you work with. You need to
build those communities in all the different areas.
343
00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:33.319
Again, it's really important. So
much about what we do these today
344
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:38.920
is we go online to find out
all the information and we can even connect
345
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:45.720
with people. But what we're finding
is that what we've it really is disconnecting
346
00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:51.799
all of us from each other,
all the social media. So I would
347
00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:56.079
encourage people there time times when that's
good. You can go online and you
348
00:25:56.119 --> 00:26:00.240
can find all the different forms and
all the different subjects. But when once
349
00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:04.599
you do that, then go offline
to then connect with people in your community
350
00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:08.119
so that you have it there if
you need it. I'll give you an
351
00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:14.559
example. So I was diagnosed.
A month later, I broke my neck
352
00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:18.160
a very short condensed version. So
I broke my neck and it was due
353
00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:22.680
to the fact I fell down some
stairs because of my cancer was so bad
354
00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:29.440
in my bones, so had the
infusion, so they replaced a bone in
355
00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:33.480
my neck and when I got home, I mean I have to take care
356
00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.279
of myself and all that didn't even
think about meals. So I had a
357
00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:41.400
husband and four kids, and we
put it out there what's on something called
358
00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:48.680
meal train, and within one day, my community filled two months worth of
359
00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:52.400
meals that people in my community would
bring to me and my family. These
360
00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:55.839
are people. Some of them were
friends, good friends. Some of them
361
00:26:55.839 --> 00:27:00.000
are acquaintances. Some of them I
didn't even really know. And that's because
362
00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:04.759
we didn't realize it. But we
had been building communities in these different areas,
363
00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:08.599
and then it was there for us
when we were going through our challenges
364
00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:15.079
and problems. So it's really important. Quinn, you are just amazing.
365
00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:18.680
You fell down a flight of stairs
and broke your neck on top of all
366
00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:22.079
of this, Yeah, but that
it was something where if you fell,
367
00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:25.039
slipped and fell, you'd be like, oh gosh, well that hurt a
368
00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:27.039
little bit. Maybe I did get
a bruise, but unfortunately, because my
369
00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:32.200
bones were so damaged, I ended
up breaking it. So you know,
370
00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:37.160
that's what comes along with the disease. I got it. Okay, Well,
371
00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:40.160
would you say for our listeners,
I want to make sure that I
372
00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.880
don't attempt a way to describe this
because I want to make sure that it's
373
00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:47.079
right. So you got diagnosed when
and I think you told me when we
374
00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:52.440
first spoke that you're beyond when they
expected you to live. Is that right,
375
00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:59.880
right? Yes? So I actually
it's on a MRI in two thou
376
00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:03.960
fo the cancer, but none of
the doctors saw it until twenty twelve.
377
00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:08.839
Twenty twelve, November six is when
I actually got the diagnosis and it was
378
00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:11.599
in my bones, when in two
thousand and four it was in my bones
379
00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:17.319
as well, So technically I've had
it for fourteen years. I've known about
380
00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:22.359
it for just over five Someone who
has my type and stage cancer, the
381
00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:26.599
stats are only one out of four
will actually make it to the five year
382
00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:30.240
mark. So even if you go
to when I got diagnosed, that five
383
00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:37.359
year mark was in November. So
I've definitely lived beyond my expiration. I
384
00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:41.119
definitely have a few friends who were
diagnosed with my type in stage cancer and
385
00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:45.000
they didn't make it past a year
or year and a half since they're diagnosis.
386
00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:49.279
So I've done all these things.
When I talk about empowerment, and
387
00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:52.920
I talk about that gene expression and
there's so much that you can do.
388
00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:56.720
Well, that's what I did from
the first day that I left my doctor's
389
00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:02.079
office. Even though my doctors even
today oncologists roll o their eyes at what
390
00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:06.640
I do, I don't care because
until you're given an incurable diagnosis, you
391
00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:11.480
have no idea what you are will
and will not do. Because I want
392
00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:15.440
to be here to make a difference. I want to see my kids go
393
00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:22.240
through life cycle events that most people
take for granted. And so yeah,
394
00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:25.319
oh my gosh, Quinn, it's
so amazing to have you on the show
395
00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:27.200
and get you to be able to
share with the listeners across the globe this
396
00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:32.400
really important message and it is empowering. And I love what you're up to
397
00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:36.279
and what you stand for. I
totally saw you as somebody who is absolutely
398
00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:38.000
working on purpose, and again that's
why I wanted to have in the show
399
00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:41.240
for that reason as well, and
just appreciate everything that you're sharing and who
400
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:45.160
you are. Thank you, thank
you. I'm excited to be here because
401
00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:49.039
this I do feel like I am. If you hear my story, you
402
00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:53.440
know, how could they not find
the cancer right? Eight mammogran, eight
403
00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:59.799
doctors, eight ideologists, and nobody
found it. It wasn't meant to happen.
404
00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:02.640
And that's when when I get into
the faith, which is my third
405
00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:07.000
pillar. I've had a number of
things that have happened through with my family,
406
00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:11.240
with health crisis with two of my
children. I've made a pack with
407
00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:17.039
God, and I really believe that
I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to
408
00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:22.720
be doing, helping others through my
experience. So I'm very comfortable and at
409
00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:26.400
peace with that. And it certainly
shows, Gwen, It certainly shows,
410
00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:30.119
and it's just incredible. It is
incredibly inspiring and empowering. And I do
411
00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:34.559
see that in my research of looking
at how people experience meaning and their work
412
00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:38.000
in relation to their identity or sense
of self. One of the modes that
413
00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:41.240
I found is living my purpose.
And I think that's what you're doing.
414
00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:45.599
You're living your purpose, right.
Yeah. And I have to say that
415
00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:51.839
before I was diagnosed, I struggled
with that. I had the ideal job.
416
00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:55.720
I was a certified image consultant,
so I helped women from head to
417
00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:59.319
toe look their best every day and
build a fabulous functional wardrobe. I love
418
00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:03.079
doing that, loved helping women.
I did, you know, philanthropic work.
419
00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:06.880
I have, like I said,
a husband for kids. There was
420
00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:10.440
nothing wrong with my life, but
something was missing, and then it turn
421
00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:17.799
took definitely some events and then of
course me getting cancer to finding this purpose
422
00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:23.759
and being and feeling the most meaningful
and purposeful ever in my life. I
423
00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:26.480
really appreciate that. In fact,
a few weeks on this show, I
424
00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.759
had Steve Gavatorta on, and he
wrote a book that addresses the power and
425
00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:37.039
gift of adversity, and he says
that embracing adversity is really what allows us
426
00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:41.440
to become the person were meant to
become. And it seems like that's certainly
427
00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:45.319
true for you. Yes, And
you know you mentioned before you thought I
428
00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:51.160
was strong. I certainly from this
experience realized that I'm a lot stronger than
429
00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:55.440
I thought. But going back to
some health challenges with a couple of my
430
00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:59.519
kids, you know, you wonder
why those things happen, and we'll never
431
00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:02.680
know why, but I know it
made me stronger. And I did all
432
00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:07.000
this research. I've found all this
stuff, so then all of a sudden
433
00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:10.119
I got cancer, and it helped
me be right there at that place to
434
00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:15.119
know where to go and what to
do and be much more comfortable with it.
435
00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:20.519
So I agree with your other guest
host, Yeah, I really do.
436
00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:24.799
It makes a big difference. Indeed, indeed, well, is there
437
00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:29.319
anything else you want to say about
how women can prevent cancer before we take
438
00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:34.839
our next break? How much time
before a break? I got three hours
439
00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:37.319
go for it and I'm just there
we go. I do have a lot
440
00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:42.920
to say, So women can do
so much, Okay. One of the
441
00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:45.640
first things that I know no one's
going to want to hear about it,
442
00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:52.240
But it's changing your diet, Okay, exercise, sleep patterns, reducing your
443
00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:58.720
stress, environmental toxins, your gut
health, the importance of communities, which
444
00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:02.240
I just talked to you about faith, which is different than finding a religion
445
00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:07.880
or being religious, meditation which I'll
talk about, and then having purpose in
446
00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:13.720
life. But diet is the first
thing. It's the biggest needle mover.
447
00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:16.039
So whether you have cancer or not, you want to reduce your risks,
448
00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:22.240
you need to go to a whole
food based diet, a plant based diet.
449
00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.119
We've got to get away from the
processed food. You've got to get
450
00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:30.599
away from the process refined sugar and
refined carbohydrates. This can you know,
451
00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:38.039
food is medicine and it can dramatically
change your body, your immune system to
452
00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:44.480
actually function the way it's supposed to
exercise. You can reduce your risks for
453
00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:49.480
cancer by thirty two percent just by
exercising. And I'm not talking you don't
454
00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:52.400
have to go run marathons. You
know, it's getting your body moving,
455
00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:57.480
start do something. There's just so
much evidence about how exercise is just so
456
00:33:57.599 --> 00:34:00.119
good for your body, it's so
good for your brain. How they say,
457
00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:07.160
even you with these neurodegenitive diseases like
dementia and alzheimers, if you exercise,
458
00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:12.559
you can reduce your chances of getting
those two significantly. We didn't know
459
00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:15.000
that so many years ago. And
so they're saying right now, if you
460
00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:20.280
lived eighty five, fifty percent of
us are going to have either dementia or
461
00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:24.760
Alzheimers. That's pretty sad. So
right now, empowerment. You know that
462
00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:29.039
if you can start exercising, you
change your diet, you start making some
463
00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:34.519
lifestyle changes, you can reduce that. And we're talking. My philosophy and
464
00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:37.760
I talk about in my book is
about small actions. I'm definitely not of
465
00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:43.119
the belief that you need to take
big actions to get rid of big problems.
466
00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:47.519
It's about taking small actions and over
a long period of time, incremental
467
00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:52.679
changes can have enormously positive results.
That is what I've done over the last
468
00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:57.880
five years. All these things that
I talk about, I talk the talk
469
00:34:57.920 --> 00:35:02.320
and walk the talk. I've all
done this talk about supplements. Supplements to
470
00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:08.519
me are not optional. We need
supplements because we're not getting all the nutrients
471
00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:14.000
we need from our soil. We're
not getting the nutrients because our produce has
472
00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:19.039
picked two weeks at least earlier than
it's ripe, and the time it transportation
473
00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:22.519
time it takes us to get to
us. So we're losing so much of
474
00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:25.920
a percentage of that nutrition. If
you take an orange and what your grandparents
475
00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:32.639
the nutrition they get, we're getting
about forty percent of that. Most every
476
00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:37.800
person has some type of nutrient deficiency, and of course if you look at
477
00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:43.880
the standard American Western diet, we're
not getting what we need to thrive and
478
00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:50.159
survive. Wow, that's a lot
to contemplate, and clearly you are a
479
00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:53.000
living, breathing example of why this
is a good idea. Let's grab our
480
00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:57.360
next final break here at Gwen and
we'll come back. I'm Elist Cortez,
481
00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:59.920
your host, who've been on the
air with Gwen Rich. She's a why
482
00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:04.599
mother for an accredited image stylist,
small business owner, philanthropist, and Wall
483
00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:07.639
Street Journal bestselling author. Stop complaining, make your own luck. She joins
484
00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:12.840
today from Chicago, Illinois. We've
been talking about various ways that men and
485
00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:15.920
women can prevent cancer. After the
break, we'll hear maybe a bit more
486
00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:20.239
about that, and also what she's
doing to create a living legacy for herself
487
00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:22.960
and for anyone else that make here. To listen, stay with us,
488
00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:27.639
We'll be right back. Elise Cortez
as a speaker and engagement and development catalyst.
489
00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:32.119
She designs and delivers professional development,
leadership and engagement workshops and can bring
490
00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:37.239
her expertise to your organization. She
will help ignite meaningful development within your workforce
491
00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:43.039
that will increase employee engagement, performance
and retention. To learn more or to
492
00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:47.159
invite Elise to speak to your organization, please visit her at www dot Elise
493
00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:52.280
Cortez dot com. She would welcome
the opportunity to help get your employees working
494
00:36:52.519 --> 00:37:04.400
on purpose. This is working on
Purpose with Elise Cortez. To reach our
495
00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:09.519
program today, send an email to
Elise ali Se at Elise Cortez dot com.
496
00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:15.239
Now back to working on purpose.
If you're just tuning in. My
497
00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:21.079
guest is Gwenn Rich. After eight
years and eight misdiagnoses, Gwenn was ultimately
498
00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:24.880
diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer in
twenty twelve. Struggling to decide with what
499
00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:28.840
to do at the time she had
left, she launched the Gwenn Marie Collection
500
00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:32.000
Persons with a Purpose in twenty fourteen. Gwen continues to fulfill her mission of
501
00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:37.039
helping others. Her legacy on the
go is the development of an online teaching
502
00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:39.239
community called The Rich Solution with Him. More about that in just a moment.
503
00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:43.400
I'm your host, Elise Cortez.
So on the break, you and
504
00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:45.960
I were quickly chatting if there's at
least one more thing that you want to
505
00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:50.199
share while we have just limited time
left about preventing cancer, and that's meditation.
506
00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:52.480
Gwenna, What did you want to
share about that? Thank you for
507
00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:57.239
letting me talk about that. So
in addition to diet being the first thing
508
00:37:57.320 --> 00:38:00.880
you need you should do, it's
the biggest needle mold. At the same
509
00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:06.599
time, meditation, as I talked
earlier, Remember how that gene expression you
510
00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:10.239
can turn it on or off.
So meditation, they're finding has so much
511
00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:15.199
to do with brain health. You
can reduce your stress, which we need
512
00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:20.760
to do. I don't think that
we talk enough about gratitude. Practicing gratitude
513
00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:23.760
can really shift your perspective. And
if you're going to do something like making
514
00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:28.320
changes in your diet, which may
seem simple, but they're not easy,
515
00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:31.079
because if they're easy, everybody would
do it, you're going to need to
516
00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:37.119
shift or reframe away the way you
think about a lot of things because you're
517
00:38:37.199 --> 00:38:43.360
changing your habits. So meditation really
can make your life concretely better. People
518
00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:46.440
don't understand that, scientifically proven.
It's a life hack. So it can
519
00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:52.199
lead to better mental health, physical
health, more energy, and less pain.
520
00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:55.079
So people underestimate meditation. So I
think people really need to take a
521
00:38:55.159 --> 00:39:00.280
look into that. Thank you.
I know I've done a little bit recently
522
00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:02.159
on myself and I have noticed an
amazing difference, And now that I understand
523
00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:05.800
the health benefits, I think I
want to make that more of a practice.
524
00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:10.320
Thank you very much, Quinn.
I'm convinced, thank you, thank
525
00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:14.519
you more things? Right, Yeah, right exactly. I think I could
526
00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:19.239
work that in. Okay, Well, as we mentioned before, I mean,
527
00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:22.119
there's so much of who you are
is just in complete online that with
528
00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:25.239
this show and what I'm trying to
do for for listeners across the globe and
529
00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:30.239
you know, standing for passion and
working on purpose. I want to learn
530
00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:34.719
more about this gwyn Marie collection.
Purpose pursues with a with a purpose that
531
00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:38.320
is just brilliant. Tell us more
about this. Yeah, so that was
532
00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:42.360
something that it took me six months
to figure out what I was going to
533
00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:45.760
do with my life. And it
came back to those who would heard about
534
00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:49.079
my diagnosis all said, well,
you know, go back and do something
535
00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:52.000
you're passionate about. So when I
you know, I stopped working everything and
536
00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:55.480
what came to me was sewing.
And sewing, of course I hadn't done
537
00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:59.519
in a long time because life gets
in the way, and so I tried
538
00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:02.039
a handbag. This was a leather
handbag. I had done toads before,
539
00:40:02.320 --> 00:40:07.159
but not a handbag, and I
really liked it. When I was finished
540
00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:09.559
with it, and it happened to
be around the end of August, and
541
00:40:09.880 --> 00:40:13.320
I thought, you know what,
I'm going to make handbags for the women
542
00:40:13.400 --> 00:40:15.920
in my family for the holidays.
I have enough time I could do this.
543
00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:20.000
And so when I started thinking about
my mom and how wonderful she is
544
00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:23.280
and I love her and you know
she's a cancer survivor as well, and
545
00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:29.639
about the functionality of the purse and
how special it needs to be. That's
546
00:40:29.679 --> 00:40:32.559
when the light wall went off and
I thought, this is what I was
547
00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:37.480
meant to do, is to make
handbags for women to raise money for breast
548
00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:43.639
cancer research. But more than that, it was to help the cancer community.
549
00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:47.920
It was to connect and comfort the
cancer community, because I know I
550
00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:52.519
felt alone and I knew others do
too, and so what better not way
551
00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:59.639
to have handbags where if you are
diagnosed with cancer, your friend can support
552
00:40:59.679 --> 00:41:02.360
the I was by buying you a
handbag and you know that they care about
553
00:41:02.440 --> 00:41:07.920
you from this gift, or maybe
your friends carry it as a symbol to
554
00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:12.519
support you and the cause. So
and then, of course to raise money
555
00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:15.440
for breast cancer research was really important
because we haven't found a cure yet.
556
00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:22.199
My kids came up with the name
Gwen Marie, and I think it was
557
00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:25.800
a year and a half or so
later we launched the Gwen Marie Collection Pursues
558
00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:30.199
with a purpose. So you know, when I got my diagnosis, I
559
00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:34.519
could have acted in two ways.
I could have been in the victim mode.
560
00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:37.719
It's really not in my playbook.
But I took a stand, I
561
00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:43.639
figured out how to live to my
best stability, and I chose the latter.
562
00:41:44.159 --> 00:41:46.559
So I'm so glad I did because
it did give me that purpose to
563
00:41:46.679 --> 00:41:52.000
get up every day. My passion
allowed me to feel good about getting up
564
00:41:52.039 --> 00:41:55.280
every day because prior to that,
I really didn't feel like I had anything
565
00:41:55.320 --> 00:42:00.559
to get up for. You are
truly a living, walking, breathing billboard
566
00:42:00.679 --> 00:42:05.559
for what I keep saying, live
with passion, work on purpose in every
567
00:42:05.599 --> 00:42:09.679
way, Gwen. It's amazing and
so beautiful and so empowering. And I
568
00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:14.400
love the idea of these purses.
And in fact, let me describe this
569
00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:15.880
really quick. Where can our listeners
find out about them? Is that on
570
00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:20.480
the rich solution dot com website or
someplace else? Correct? There are two
571
00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:23.039
places still. The Gwen Marie collection
is still up at they I can find
572
00:42:23.119 --> 00:42:28.519
everything at the rich solution dot com. Okay, okay, great? Well,
573
00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:31.000
And I do know you say you
told me before and this is also
574
00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:35.960
on your website that you donate all
of your proceeds from those purses to the
575
00:42:36.039 --> 00:42:40.960
University of Chicago Medicine for cancer research. Why this institution. Yes, that's
576
00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:47.400
a great question, because I did
look at a number of organizations that did
577
00:42:47.519 --> 00:42:52.760
research, and the University of Chicago
Medicine was one of the ones that I
578
00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:57.320
came in. They had a power
presentation. Doctor Fleming and doctor Cozen actually
579
00:42:57.440 --> 00:43:02.960
talked about my type state of cancer, and it was like a no brainers,
580
00:43:04.039 --> 00:43:07.639
like, Okay, these guys are
local, they are a research hospital.
581
00:43:07.920 --> 00:43:09.719
This is where the funds are going
to go to. Another point that's
582
00:43:09.800 --> 00:43:15.480
really important to anybody who's going through
cancer is that you need to be at
583
00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:19.559
a place that you're comfortable with and
you need to love your doctor, and
584
00:43:19.719 --> 00:43:24.480
so a teaching hospital is I would
recommend that before any other hospital. My
585
00:43:24.719 --> 00:43:30.559
doctor, doctor Fleming, is a
researcher with oncology and then spends a couple
586
00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:36.199
of days out of her week seeing
patients like myself, and she is two
587
00:43:36.320 --> 00:43:40.960
years ahead of other oncologists as far
as what's coming down the pike. And
588
00:43:42.159 --> 00:43:45.639
when you're in my situation or you
know, you're not an easy case,
589
00:43:45.719 --> 00:43:49.400
you need someone like that that's going
to give you the care that you need
590
00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:52.960
and not make mistakes. So it's
very important. Yeah, that was such
591
00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:59.320
a great way to be able to
clarify why you're getting to this particular university
592
00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:02.119
and what's what's around that as well
for our listeners, that was great,
593
00:44:02.199 --> 00:44:06.800
Thank you for that. Sure,
we're getting close to running out of time
594
00:44:06.840 --> 00:44:09.519
here, and before we go,
I really have to hear about this legacy
595
00:44:09.639 --> 00:44:14.000
on the go online teaching community that
you're up to. So what's the community
596
00:44:14.039 --> 00:44:19.760
all about? How can how have
we can get involved? How can you
597
00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:22.599
get involved? Well, you can
go to my website because that's where I
598
00:44:22.679 --> 00:44:27.480
have lots of content. I have
a form that you can fill out.
599
00:44:27.559 --> 00:44:30.679
It's about having a consult about legacy
on the go. You can read my
600
00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:35.840
book. We talk about legacy on
the go in the book a lot.
601
00:44:36.079 --> 00:44:39.599
Excuse me, we write about that. Excuse me. It is, you
602
00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:45.119
know, a major theme to what
I do and in the book because you
603
00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:47.440
know what when I when I first
was diagnosed, I did a webinar to
604
00:44:47.559 --> 00:44:52.840
help reduce the risks of cancer for
women so they could feel empowerment. But
605
00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:58.679
I still got to a point where
I had all this knowledge and I knew
606
00:44:58.760 --> 00:45:02.119
I needed to do more. I
knew my goal was bigger than myself.
607
00:45:02.559 --> 00:45:07.639
But I wasn't going to let that
stop me and so I'm in the process
608
00:45:07.840 --> 00:45:12.360
of coming up with the program to
help people figure out what their legacy on
609
00:45:12.440 --> 00:45:14.679
the go is. But in the
meantime, they can go to our site,
610
00:45:14.719 --> 00:45:17.920
they can purchase a book, Stop
complaining, make your own luck.
611
00:45:19.280 --> 00:45:22.880
I also have more content. It's
all about content at the paptreon dot com.
612
00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:28.199
I'm just looking to help people as
much as I can. The other
613
00:45:28.320 --> 00:45:36.440
thing is I have right weekly Facebook
live or regular videos that's on mental minutia.
614
00:45:36.519 --> 00:45:40.039
So we talked about mental attitude is
so important and also eliminating toxins.
615
00:45:40.360 --> 00:45:45.840
So it's all about helping you and
your lifestyle again to reduce the risks of
616
00:45:45.920 --> 00:45:51.920
cancer or even if you have cancer, how you can improve your quality of
617
00:45:52.079 --> 00:45:55.519
life as well as going remission or
slow down your cancer. And someone like
618
00:45:55.679 --> 00:46:01.320
my case, this is amazing,
Guen. So, I think I know
619
00:46:01.440 --> 00:46:05.440
the answer to this question that I
want to ask you next, but maybe
620
00:46:05.559 --> 00:46:08.679
say in about a minute or so, what is the legacy you're working hard
621
00:46:08.760 --> 00:46:15.280
to lead behind? Well, I
want people to be inspired my story.
622
00:46:15.440 --> 00:46:20.760
I hope it doesn't take a tragedy
or problem to take action. I want
623
00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:23.239
people to take action. That's the
most important thing. You may not know
624
00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:28.079
what you want to do, just
take action and it will lead you down
625
00:46:28.119 --> 00:46:31.119
the road to where you're supposed to
be. And that my story can be
626
00:46:31.360 --> 00:46:36.760
inspiring. Use my story, my
system, the five percent solution, which
627
00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:43.199
is taking the small actions and over
time the incremental changes will have an enormous
628
00:46:43.559 --> 00:46:47.679
effect positive you'll get positive results in
your life. So I want other people
629
00:46:47.760 --> 00:46:52.000
to know that they can turn their
worst into their best. I mean,
630
00:46:52.079 --> 00:46:54.639
if we look at a lot of
the organizations, a lot of things that
631
00:46:54.719 --> 00:47:00.840
are are founded, it has come
out of a need or it's out of
632
00:47:00.880 --> 00:47:05.159
a problem. And so we all
have problems, some bigger than others.
633
00:47:05.559 --> 00:47:10.920
And so to not rule that out, you know, find the blessings in
634
00:47:12.079 --> 00:47:16.239
your problems. I think it's really
important. We need to keep imagining and
635
00:47:16.440 --> 00:47:22.239
creating, which gives us a sense
of purpose. So if you lack those
636
00:47:22.320 --> 00:47:27.519
things, there's definitely a pervasive sense
of emptiness that becomes the default. So
637
00:47:27.639 --> 00:47:30.480
the great seduction later on in life
is that many of us feel, excuse
638
00:47:30.559 --> 00:47:36.559
me, fill the vacuum with false
friends. I'm sure we have many many
639
00:47:36.639 --> 00:47:39.960
people we know like this, and
they fill it with material things. Medication
640
00:47:40.280 --> 00:47:46.480
could be legal and otherwise where if
you can find that passion, whether it's
641
00:47:46.519 --> 00:47:50.920
for a person, a business,
of cause, or a situation, having
642
00:47:50.960 --> 00:47:58.159
those strong emotions towards something outside yourself
really fuels life purpose. Perfect way to
643
00:47:58.239 --> 00:48:01.119
finish when sorry to cut you off. That is a beautiful way to close.
644
00:48:01.199 --> 00:48:04.159
Thank you so much for that,
and thank you for coming on the
645
00:48:04.199 --> 00:48:07.960
air and sharing your beautiful spirit,
soul and person with us. Thank you
646
00:48:08.039 --> 00:48:12.440
so much, Thank you for having
me look forward to talking with you again.
647
00:48:12.880 --> 00:48:15.519
You are so welcome. If you
want to learn more about when rich
648
00:48:15.599 --> 00:48:20.119
her purses with Purpose for Purpose or
her the rich Solution Legacy on a go
649
00:48:20.239 --> 00:48:23.000
online teach community, go to the
rich solution dot com. Next week,
650
00:48:23.039 --> 00:48:27.039
we'll be on the air with author
for Hanna Kazi, who is a women's
651
00:48:27.039 --> 00:48:30.400
empowerment and terrorism expert. We'll be
talking about her own journey towards self empowerment,
652
00:48:30.679 --> 00:48:35.320
work as a terrorism expert, and
her new book called Invisible Martyrs Inside
653
00:48:35.360 --> 00:48:38.199
the Secret World of Female Islamic Radicals. See you there. Remember that work
654
00:48:38.280 --> 00:48:40.719
is at least a third of our
life, So let's work on purpose.
655
00:48:43.320 --> 00:48:46.320
We hope you've enjoyed this week's program, be sure to tune in to working
656
00:48:46.440 --> 00:48:52.639
on Purpose, featuring your host Alice
Cortez, each week on the Voice America
657
00:48:52.719 --> 00:48:57.360
Empowerment channel. This week, find
your life's purpose at work.





















































