Summary: Meet Diane Berberian. Legally blind. Stage 4 tongue, throat & neck cancer survivor. Adaptive athlete competing in endurance events. And oh, by the way, she's 60. Diane is one of the most positive people you'll ever meet. I thought I was positive. Diane blows me away. At the beginning of the interview I ask her, "Did you ever think you'd be called on to share your life to inspire others?" to which she replied something like, "Truth? Yes! My mom always told me I was special so I believed it!" Diane is one of those extraordinary people who you think you are helping when you guide her in a race, or support her during cancer treatments, only to realize after it's over, that she helped you so much more than you ever realized possible. That is a sign of someone who transcends humanity. She emits love, acceptance, and just plain possibility. As her tattoo says, "She believed she could, so she did." That is Diane Berberian in a nutshell. Today we talk about: How Diane became the positive person she is: Nature, Nurture or a little of both? Cancer: When you know something is wrong with your body, but you can't make headway with your doctor. Diane's advice: Get 2nd opinions right away. Don't wait. Going blind: Macular degeneration a slow progression to vision impairment Competing as a parathlete: 1st race on a tandem bike was Ironman Texas! "I've had the power all along" Diane 6.0: What does it mean to be a 60 year-old-woman today "Lead by example" mentoring style Do you want to be as badass as Diane someday? I know I do! Here is my take: #1) Be positive. This is a decision. Your attitude is within your control. You can choose to be positive. Diane is a positive person. Like she said, she has bad days, but she sees the world in an open way, full of possibility. #2) Go after the things you want. As she says, you gotta want it. If you want it, make it happen. #3) Her final nugget: Your crown has been bought and paid for. You just have to wear it. If you want to connect with Diane, shoot her a note on Facebook - she would love to hear from you!
