Oncologist and research scientist Ellie Guardino and I sit down to chat about her strict childhood and school life, the importance of a loving support system, and her finding of purpose and self-worth. When you embrace the imperfection of your own journey and life itself, it is easier to spot what really matters to you. Are your decisions leading you to happiness?

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The Power Points:

• (00:52) - Caring is my success: the life of a cancer researcher — “While I’ve developed new therapies that have been impactful for millions, the impact that you have on one person’s life is pretty incredible.”
• (06:26) - How a tough growing environment shaped Ellie’s personal development and family relationships — “My father was very strict. He had very high expectations for all of his children.”
• (10:49) - How a tragedy guided Ellie to pursue a medical career — “At the time it was hard to understand how a 16-year-old could have a brain tumor and die within a very short period of time.”
• (16:32) - We’re all on the same boat: learning resilience and embracing the imperfection of the high school life — “It was a time for me to really try to figure out why the world was the way it was.”
• (24:41) - Searching for a mentor, not having regrets, and jumping into people’s pools at 2 A.M. — “Find someone that you connect with and ask them to be your mentor, there’s nothing wrong with asking for that.”
• (30:57) - Falling in love with the entire educational ride, finding your worth and strengths through your mentor’s eyes, and the importance of taking care of your social agenda — “I feel like my whole career experience and career journey was around enjoying myself.”
• (40:45) - How cancer stroke again to transform Ellie into an even more empathic and engaged professional — “It changed my life. It was the right decision, it has had a tremendous impact and changed the outcome of a lot more patients’ lives by being in the job that I’m at currently.”
• (47:02) - How to build a happy home and deal with the most difficult times — “It’s the right thing to do, to continue to push the envelope, try to have an impact, and I don’t regret it one bit.”

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