Janice Choe

Not long ago, I was a laptop-toting, plane-hopping consultant working with large companies and startups across Texas, New York, and California.  Life was a whirlwind for many years, and I had just gotten married to my high school sweetheart.  Then, I had an unexpected visitor - emperor of all maladies - in the form of a rare late stage breast cancer.  I had months to live.  Through the grace of higher powers, we found great doctors and experimental treatment that stabilized my disease and gave me a second chance.  I consider myself a cancer thriver. 

​

Now, I pay it forward as a patient advocate, raising awareness and helping improve the cancer patient experience and quality of life.  Some highlights include being the Asian-Pacific-Islander Community advocate with SWOG (YouTube interview), being part of an advocate team that helped raise funds to establish an Advanced Breast Cancer Clinic at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, sharing my story with an Austin TV network, representing at events, and general fundraising.

 

Large parts of my recovery from treatment and surgeries came from a chance encounter with yoga, and consistent practice that helped me build strength in both body and mind.  Since then, I obtained my 200 hour yoga instructor certification from Yoga Tree San Francisco and am registered with the Yoga Alliance.  I was given a second chance, and I'd love to coach others to help awaken their best via yoga, especially those living with cancer or chronic illness.