Picture this: Steph, a healthy young, career-driven mom is pregnant and home alone with her toddler when suddenly her world is turned upside down. Her lung collapses, and she discovers she has not just one, but 200-300 tumors in her lungs. She’s diagnosed with a rare, chronic, and progressive disease without a cure: it's called Lymphangiolyomyomatosis, or LAM. At the time (and thankfully this has now changed), the prognosis was 5-7 years life expectancy.
But here's the incredible part: Steph doesn't let this devastating diagnosis bring her down. Instead, she turns the worst thing that ever happened to her into the best thing. It's now been 11 years since the diagnosis that changed the course of her life.
Today, we dive deep into Steph's journey, and she shares her wisdom about how she took the biggest challenge life had ever thrown at her and transformed it into her life purpose.
Get ready to be inspired and gain some wisdom & trips that you can apply to your own life, as we explore the magic that can happen when we face the mess head-on.
About our Guest:
Steph Dreyer is a Change-Maker, Ship-Raiser, and Trail-Blazer. Her work as an Executive Coach, Marketing Director, and Board Member reflects her passion for investing in people, brands, and ideas that make life better. Steph sees opportunity all around us, and believes deeply in leaving a positive wake with real results.
Steph’s marketing experience spans across many industries where she’s had the privilege of supporting the mental, physical, and financial wellbeing of millions of consumers, and igniting growth across leading brands. She also has the honor of serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at The LAM Foundation, and sharing her story about life as a rare disease patient in the spirit of helping others overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Steph is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and earned her MBA at Cornell University. Steph lives in NJ with her husband Ken, children Henry and Daisy, and dogs Juniper and Scout.
Learn more about LAM
Connect with Steph
About your Host:
I'm Rachel Metter, a Transformational Life Coach for Traditionally High-Achieving Perfectionists. I help go-getters overcome their need for perfection so they can finally take messy action to create the business, creative projects, and/or relationships that light up their souls.
Connect with me:
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Join my email list to get a free hypnosis meditation (the one Steph mentions in the podcast) that will transform you from your own worst enemy to your wisest advocate in 6 minutes and learn more about my coaching.
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[00:01:30] Women with LAM.
[00:06:05] Precipitating event for diagnosis.
[00:09:23] Coping with humor in crisis.
[00:12:00] Choosing to love life.
[00:15:23] The stages of grief.
[00:19:11] Daily reminders and life lessons.
[00:22:14] Flipping Imposter Syndrome
[00:26:22] Staying grounded in purpose.
[00:30:39] Allowing negative feelings to surface.
[00:34:40] Appreciating life during COVID-19.
[00:38:37] Intercepting the Dark Moments.
[00:44:41] Exciting advancements in medical science.
[00:44:54] Living with lamb.
[00:50:30] Gratitude and positive mindset.
[00:52:20] Using the "wise advocate" tool.
