Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nancy Ferro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nancy, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I was a senior in high school, one of the teachers made a lasting impact on my life through his kindness and belief in me. When I was growing up they used to divide the kids in grade school into 2 groups, those that were good student and those that were not so good students. I was in the not so good classes all through grade school and junior high. When you are told you are not a good student, you tend to live up to that expectation, at least that is what I did. So I was an average C student. My senior year in high school I joined the Year Book team. I loved this and found it a great creative outlet. Mr Ladendorf was the advisor and also the Government Teacher. In the government class I did average work and tested average. One day Mr Ladendorf pulled me aside and said “Nancy, you can do this and you are so much smarter than you think”. I was like Really? One requirement when I was graduating from high school was you had to pass 5 tests in US Government. With this one teacher telling me I could do it, I studied that most I ever had. When the results came back from the first test, Mr Ladendorf said “with the highest test score, Nancy Barthel”. I was shocked!! and so was everyone else in the classroom. The guy sitting next to me was going to Stanford in the fall and I did better than him!! I went on to be the top grade on the next 4 test, well maybe one I was 2nd.
This one act from this one teacher made a lifelong impact on my for my confidence and what I could do if I put my mind to it.

Nancy, 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 got into my current roll because my oldest son was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 23. 6 months prior he had been diagnosed with a beneign brain tumor. The year was 2007. I watched my son who was just graduating from college go through a terrible diagnosis and painful surgeries. He is doing well today and was married last year to another cancer thriver. I watched first hand the physical toll cancer takes, but also the mental toll of my son. I founded Epic Experience in 2012 to offer hope to adult cancer survivors, thrivers and caregivers to live beyond cancer. In 2012 we were founded on our 1 week program. It is a free week up in the Colorado Rockies on a beautiful 200 acre ranch. We bring a group of strangers together and we play. During the winter we cross country ski, snow shoe, sled and lots of games. Summertime we are rafting and kayaking down the Colorado River, horseback riding and hiking. All while being with others that get what everyone has been through. There is alot of laughter and a few tears over the course of the week. We have now expanded to offer one day regional programs across the country for thrivers and caregivers and a podcast called Campfires of Hope that you can find on any channel. Our podcast are chats with survivors and medical professionals who share their experience to help someone who may not have the support of a support group, but really it benefits anyone diagnosed with cancer.
Our most recent program addition is our ThriveVR. ThriveVR takes cancer patients from the treatment center to the great outdoors where they can enjoy adventure and community in 360-degree virtual reality. These custom videos with mindfulness voice-overs immerse thrivers in calming, yet empowering experiences like horseback riding, stand-up paddleboarding, and white water rafting. During what can be an isolating and traumatic time, thrivers have the chance to virtually participate in the sights, sounds, and camaraderie of an Epic Experience camp as they reflect on the new normal of a cancer diagnosis.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

My early career includes sales and marketing. Later I went on to work in development in a private high school helping raise money. A move that brought me to Colorado after my son was diagnosed I wanted to give back to the community that had supported us, the hospital. I went in to sign up to volunteer and when I interviewed they told me about a job as a Volunteer Coordinator at a hospital. I love working with volunteers. Running a non profit we of course need money to sustain but most important we need volunteers to help us reach as many cancer thrivers as we can. All of my prior jobs led me to found Epic Experience at the age of 56, when most are thinking about retiring I started something that I hoped would be an impact for many years to come. Now 12 years later I would not have changed a thing of where i am today. I have been blessed to meet the most amazing people. A cancer diagnosis does not define someone, but rather it is a part of ones story.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I would say the most effective strategy for growing our clientele, which would include cancer survivors, donors and volunteers is just sharing our story. WHY, do I do what I do. Sharing stories of someone that was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer who was sleeping 18 hours a day before camp and when she went home she started walking and taking dance classes and living her life. She had been given 2 years to live in 2013, sadly she passed away in 2021, but she think if she had been sleeping 18 hours a day and all that she would have missed. She told me one that I saved her life, but it was her that made the decision to start living again. Listening is key to everything and allowing people to work or volunteer where they see their strengths. You can’t put a square peg in a round hole.
We started with a staff of 1, me. We currently have 4 staff. I was the Executive Director until January 1, 2023 when my other son took over as the Executive Director. Did I mention that 3 of our 4 staff are related, me, my 2nd son and my husband. We also have a wonderful member of the team in LA, who’s Dad attended an Epic Experience. But we are so much more, my son who was diagnosed helps as well as his wife. My daughter is the power house volunteer when we need help with donations for our Gala in February every year.
So, my strategy to be open to those that want to help and let them take it and fly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.epicexperience.org
• Instagram: epicexperience
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpicExperience
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/2810230
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpicXperience
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpXER0ahWg4cKfIfSoWu9dw