[Guest blog by Niki Szenasi]
If anyone understands the weight of a cancer diagnosis and the resilience required to move through it, it’s me. Before the age of 44, I became a three-time cancer survivor. But my story of survival didn’t begin there. It began long before, in an incredibly challenging childhood that first taught me how to endure, adapt, and keep going when life felt uncertain.
Cancer, however, reshaped everything.
Each diagnosis brought its own wave of fear, decisions, and unknowns. But beyond the physical battle, what impacted me most was the mental and emotional journey. The quiet moments, the internal dialogue, and the choice, over and over again, of how I would face what was in front of me. I came to realize that while I couldn’t always control what was happening to me, I could influence how I responded to it.
That realization became a turning point.
Through three separate battles with cancer, I developed a perspective rooted not in toxic positivity or denial, but in honest resilience. I learned how to sit with fear without being consumed by it, how to rebuild after setbacks, and how to find meaning in experiences I never would have chosen. My journey taught me that survivorship is not just about getting through treatment, but about learning how to live again, with intention, strength, and self-trust.
Today, I share that message as a speaker dedicated to the cancer survivorship community.
My talks go beyond inspiration. They speak to the real, often unspoken aspects of survivorship. The identity shifts. The pressure to “be strong.” The challenge of moving forward when life no longer looks or feels the same. I create space for honesty, while also guiding audiences toward empowerment and possibility.
Through storytelling, reflection, and practical mindset tools, I help survivors reconnect with their sense of self, rebuild confidence in their bodies and decisions, and navigate life after diagnosis with greater clarity and resilience. My approach is grounded, relatable, and deeply human because it comes from lived experience, not theory.
Audiences walk away feeling seen, understood, and equipped not just to survive, but to move forward with intention.
At the heart of my work is a simple but powerful belief: cancer may change your life, but it does not get to define your future.
My mission is to help survivors reclaim their narrative, rediscover their strength, and recognize that even in the most difficult chapters, there is the potential for growth, purpose, and profound impact.
Because survivorship is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a new one.
Niki Szenasi is a three-time breast cancer survivor and founder of Self to Sphere Coaching, where she helps others reconnect with their inner strength and resilience. Combining her lived experience with certifications in wellness, movement, and mindset coaching, Niki guides survivors to heal with confidence and purpose. Her uplifting, grounded workshops blend practical mindset tools with emotional awareness, empowering participants to move forward with courage, compassion, and a renewed sense of self. You can find Niki here.
Niki is part of the Official NCSD Speakers Bureau Roster.
