We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Barnett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.
Diana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
On April 15th 2018 I walked into the Doctors office to review some blood work. While typing on my computer the Doctor said, …”You have Type 1 diabetes and I believe you have pancreatic and spleen cancer. And I want to remove your gallbaldder!” I took a beat and then did what I needed to do. I fired her.
I could not imagine someone telling me that devastating news without looking into my eyes. I then had my amazing brother refer me to a 2nd opinion. A pancreatic cancer expert. After a series of tests this lovely French Doctor walked into the room and said 5 words I will never forget.
“WE..ARE IN THE CLEAR”
WE….he started with WE. It was a partnership. There were tears in both of our eyes. Tears in his eyes, because he rarely had a false diagnosis, or good news with pancreatic cancer patients. And tears for me….because I had a 2nd chance. I had a 2nd chance to live and start looking at what healing and being “healthy” means to me through a different lens.
I then went into my “office”… my kitchen and started asking my BODY what did it need. And I listened! Truly listened. And that is where my change of life began. And now in 2024 nearly at my 6 year anniversary I can honestly say ….what a gift my diagnosis has been.
Diana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born in Italy and lived the next 14 years of my life in 3 different countries. It was growing up in Europe that helped me fall in love with food and the magic that comes around a table full of family and friends. The community and passion behind it all.
After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America I began my culinary career in New Orleans and then moved to New York.
After over a decade of living the restaurant life, I took a break from the “kitchen” to fulfill some other dreams/projects of mine. Including a Documentary Project called Faces of Tomorrow (www.facesoftomorrow.com) that led me to travel 8 countries in 10 years. I then took a Hotel job, out of the kitchen in the front of the house, running events so that I could manage my projects in addition.
When I got diagnosed in April 2018 my life changed dramatically. I was totally blindsided. I was given a devastating diagnosis and I didn’t know why? Neither did the Doctors. I saw myself as someone who was super healthy and had no family history. So the next step for me was to dive deep into learning, and researching what I called the “vault of wonder”. Basically being curious to all I could learn. This openness led me to going to Nutrition School (IIN) and getting Certified in Health Coaching. I then wrote & self-published a book called Healthy Food, Happy Me (HOW A DIABETIC CHEF FOUND WISDOM & BALANCE) And I continued to open the doors to many possibilities of my new life.
At first I thought I would just be a Health Coach for Diabetics 1:1 . But now I am realizing that I have the opportunity & ability to have multiple revenue streams, combining speaking engagements. teaching, workshops and retreats, I work around being an expert in diabetes management but not limited to. And I help people look at their own health through a different lens, Out of fear & confusion and into balance & clarity. In addition I host a podcast on IG and YouTube called CHATTING WITH DI.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Well! I could answer all of those great questions… But this one popped out first. When you are given a dramatic health diagnosis (especially after a life long road of ENT challenges) …..the first reaction could be…. REALLY…..like daaamn GINA…I have had enough! Why me? All of that. But once done with those questions I asked myself…why not me. What if this is truly my life’s journey? What if my life’s journey IS to be given a whirlwind of health challenges? What if my purpose was to truly learn, grow, discover, and wonder…and then share with others??? What a gift that could be for me…as well as so many others.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Another great list of questions. I am 61 years old. I started my business Healing Fully~Living Freely at 60 years old. Most people are thinking of chilling at this age. Not me. I spent last year with 3 Business Coaches; 1 for a year in Business Strategy. The other 2 were 12 week Entrepreneur and Leadership Programs.
The purpose was to learn as much as I could about growing a business in an oversaturated field. Health & Wellness. And how could I be “different”. I also wanted to learn about Speaking Engagement tools and tips as I wanted that to be a part of my platform. The other focus when starting my business was to network – network- network. Multiple coffee meetings, zoom discussions, meet up groups every week. And never giving up. Showing up to events at night when I would rather be in my PJs watching Bravo. Always saying in my head,….you never know where this moment will lead to….Or who may know someone who knows someone who could help you move the needle forward. The other essential thing I did was to recognize all my wins. EVERY one of them. I write a list every month of my DO’s & WINs…And I always keep my eye on these lists. Even when things are challenging and I get a lot of NO’s or crickets and non-replies…the DOs & WINs…keep me moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefdibarnett.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianaebarnett/ https://www.instagram.com/diabetesrockstars123/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dibarnett https://www.facebook.com/dianaebarnett/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-barnett-150a194/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdx6rvMAs-DCiUFEI_ewog
- Other: http://www.facesoftomorrow.com/