Tag Archives: resilience
Ana-Claire Meyer Finds Meaning in Medicine By Going Where The Problems Are
Early on in this project, a close friend told me that he hoped I’d interview Ana-Claire Meyer. Now I know why. Take a listen, and you will, too.
AC’s professional and personal journeys are marked by curiosity, humility, and an eagerness to tackle big problems. After graduating from Amherst College, she held a variety of different jobs, but HIV test counseling piqued her interest enough to propel her to medical school. She studied neuroinfectious diseases, earned a Fulbright scholarship that took her to Kenya, and then joined the U.S. Army as an army civilian, becoming a senior clinical advisor for medical research and material command. It was in that role that she helped shape the Army’s Covid-19 pandemic response. Today, she’s senior medical director for Denali Therapeutics, a company that’s focused on defeating neurodegenerative diseases.
In this episode, we talk about:
How testing patients for HIV in the mid-’90s led AC to pursue medicine
What she learned while helping lead medical preparedness and innovation at the U.S. Army during Covid-19
Why she still hasn’t found her destination professionally, and why that’s not a bad thing
The role Amherst played in shaping her journey—and the faculty members who showed up for her at just the right time
The classmates she hopes I’ll interview next
To get in touch with Ana-Claire, find her on Link
Listen To My Podcast On iTunes, Spotify, And Google Play
The Pre-Made Podcast, my show about people who have overcome long odds and serious setbacks to do extraordinary things in their communities and careers, is now available on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play. Simply choose the service you prefer and subscribe. All past and future episodes will be available without needing to stream from my […]
Jenelle Manzi, Ballerina And Startup CEO, Soars Beyond Injury And Into Entrepreneurship
Jenelle Manzi is an elite performer who dances professionally with the New York City Ballet. She’s also an entrepreneur with big ambitions and a passionate team behind her.
I’ve been eager to share Jenelle’s story ever since I heard it for the first time. I think that’s because there are so many different ways to connect and relate to it. She touches on universal themes that include chasing down a huge dream, suffering significant setbacks, and bouncing back with everything she has.
In this episode, Jenelle talks about her passion for ballet, the importance of family and friends in the pursuit of her goals, and how she discovered a big idea for a business venture while recovering from a severe injury. Listen and you’ll learn what it’s like to commit fully to something much bigger than yourself and how to rebound when adversity throws you off-course.
Note: this was the first in-person recording I’ve ever done for my podcast. Perhaps, then, it won’t surprise anyone to discover that a few times during our conversation, the audio quality isn’t the best. I chalk that up to being a podcast rookie, but I don’t think it will detract from your enjoyment of Jenelle’s story.
Kenny Bellau, The Man Who Rescued 400 People Following Hurricane Katrina
Following the 14th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and as we anxiously watch Hurricane Dorian looming off the southeastern coast of the United States, I speak to Kenny Bellau, who has an inspiring story to share. That’s because he rescued over 400 people in New Orleans in the chaotic aftermath of Katrina. It’s a portrait in resilience, courage, resourcefulness, with a surprisingly optimistic outlook about human nature. (Content heads-up: this podcast includes a couple of accounts of corpses that Kenny saw.) I hope you enjoy his story as much as I did.
To look at the photos Kenny took of New Orleans during his rescue work, visit goo.gl/photos/rCRJkvPR48MLaGpd6
Linden Griffith, Innovator and Survivor, Helps Teens Tame Anxiety
In my first-ever podcast episode, I speak to Linden Griffith, a life coach who helps girls and women tame anxiety and find their best selves. In so doing, she presents a viable alternative to psychological or psychiatric care, one that is centered on our strengths, not our flaws.
Linden knows a thing or two about bouncing back from life’s obstacles. That’s because in addition to being a recovering alcoholic, she was diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor a few years ago. You’d never guess that, though, judging by the pure optimism and joy that emanates from her.
Here, we talk about her childhood, overcoming addiction, receiving her life-changing diagnosis, and why her approach is so different from traditional psychology. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed speaking with her.
Note: we encountered some technical hiccups that necessitated recording our interview in two sessions. As a result, you may notice a subtle change in the podcast shortly before the half hour point.
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