What happens when surviving cancer as a newborn, enduring a stroke in your 30s, and facing emergency open-heart surgery becomes the foundation for a life lived with purpose, perspective, and courage?

In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, I sit down with my friend Mikki Gates, a TEDx speaker, executive leader, advocate, and someone whose story will stay with you long after this conversation ends.

Mikki shares how being born with cancer shaped her outlook from the very beginning, why a series of missed diagnoses nearly cost her life, and how a massive tumor inside her heart was finally discovered only after she suffered a stroke. What followed was emergency surgery, years of recovery, and a profound shift in how she viewed herself, her work, and what truly matters.

Together, we talk about the difference between being fearless and being resilient, why becoming unshakable has nothing to do with perfection, and how learning to advocate for yourself can change the course of your life. Mikki also opens up about the pressure many high achievers place on themselves, the challenge of letting go of perfectionism, and why wellness deserves a place alongside ambition rather than behind it.

This conversation is a reminder that strength is not about avoiding hardship. It is about continuing forward when life becomes uncertain. Whether you are facing a personal challenge, navigating change at work, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, Mikki offers a perspective that can help you pause, breathe, and see your circumstances through a different lens.

We also discuss finding joy during difficult seasons, permitting yourself to rest, and one powerful question that may completely change how you think about your worries and struggles. It is a conversation about perspective, humanity, and discovering what really matters when everything else falls away.

As you listen, ask yourself: If life forced you to stop and reassess everything tomorrow, what would you want to change today? And what might become possible if you permitted yourself to become a little more unshakable?