After being diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2016 – requiring surgery and six months of chemo – I mustered up all of my coaching skills to help me deal with this unexpected adversity.

The starting point was to set an audacious goal. For me, that meant focusing on my passion: Horses and – in between bi-weekly chemo treatments (no matter how difficult) – competing in physically and mentally demanding horse show jumping events.

As a coach, I concentrate on clients’ challenges and how to help them move forward, while keeping personal obstacles to myself. However, one of my BIG hurdles is worth sharing. In 2016, I went through one of the toughest battles I may ever face: beating Cancer.