We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tanya Ware a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tanya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, I came to the realization that I am the eighth woman in my families combined to be diagnosed with breast cancer or carries the gene. With that being said, I never sat down and had a conversation with any of the woman in my family about their journey. Not a single one. I watched one of my favorite Aunts go from being a healthy, beautiful and vibrant woman to a fragile being fighting for her life until her demise. As a youth, that was very tough for me because she was the matriarch that kept our families together and function in a loving way. My diagnosis honestly wasn’t a surprise, but I did ask the question why me? Well, why not me? I believe God has a purpose for us all on this planet earth and it’s our responsibility to carry out the mission we were born to do. After completing my treatments and plan I came to the conclusion I was chosen for a number of reasons. I’m giving back with much gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I’m now on an assignment daily to let others know that no matter what their going through, FAITH and PRAYER will get them through if they whole heartedly believe. Believing in themselves. Part of my legacy is to leave behind seeds that will multiply and spread to others such as gratefulness, love, hope, courage, wisdom, faith, strength and trust. I created a brand that I feel embodies all I just listed. I’m not a breast cancer advocate that celebrates just in the month of October, but 365 days. My hope is that my legacy will carry on through my sons, my family, friends and even the world. I don’t want the next female or male in my family to go on the journey I endured alone. I see a legacy as a blueprint also for generations to follow.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a breast cancer advocate, a mother, a woman that believes in the power of prayer, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a mentor, a trend setter with 1500 plus followers on social media, a content and digital creator. I’ve inspired so many woman by sharing my story of how I looked cancer in the face and conquered it. I’m the visionary author of an Amazon #1 Best Selling book, “Survivorship: Rediscovering Yourself Through Survivorship”, Co-Author of Amazon #1 Best Seller “Rebirth Of A Woman: Unapologetically Living Your Truth” and the 2022 Atlanta Falcons Honorary Captain during the month of October celebrating breast cancer awareness. I can go on listing my accolades and achievements (God’s rewards for me), but at the end of the day, I’ve learned that it’s no longer about me. God granted me more time on this planet earth and in return, I’m giving back by sharing my testimony and creativity with the world.

I am the Founder of “Beautiful Survivor- which is my brand. It represents my past struggles, strides and strength-the beauty in the ashes. It’s my passion and purpose. It’s my why and why not? My brand design is a women no matter how vulnerable she may be she’s not afraid of changes nor challenges. Hence the butterfly wings on her back and butterflies in her hair. I’m the founder also of a private community on Face Book- “Survivorship.” It’s a safe space where “Where Every Survivors Story Is Heard.” A membership of 160 followers. We talk about all things dealing with the obstacles and joys we face. We share our stories in the community, uplift and encourage one another daily. I started the community because I believe there is healing we can give to others through sharing our testimonies. It’s like free therapy. We’re amongst our peers dealing with some of the same issues. It’s an unspoken bond that simply connects people in love.

As a vendor, I provide products and merchandise that inspire and signifies hope, courage, faith, wisdom and strength. I believe my brand sets me apart from others for sure. I believe that God gave me this assignment which instructs me daily to let everyone I come in contact with know that you can get through anything you face and that you’re not alone in it. I start my day with prayer and worship so that it sets the tone for my day and it encourages me knowing that whomever I encounter I’m prepared with the right words to share that it may brighten their day.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson in my lifetime I had to unlearn is I’m irreparably damaged by my past. This one stings a bit because as I reflect and share this lesson with you I’m reminded of the pain. What was most important for me to get out out of the lessen is forgiveness. Unfortunately some people go through their entire life believing they are “damaged goods” and that is absolutely not true. As a young child and young adult I found myself in situations where I was bullied and taken advantage of by mean spirited people. I was ignorant to the fact that everyone has your best interest at heart. I remember in high school my gym class, a classmate let me and another young lady share her locker. I later discovered that was a big mistake. One of the girls washed her gym clothes and ruined them. They had faded spots all over. So, she decided to take my gym clothes and leave her ruined clothes for me to use instead. We got into it pretty badly. I felt I needed to stand up for myself. As you might imagine we were never friends again. The best advice I can give someone is to know you are valued and you are enough. You were created to be a beacon of light that shines. I try to live my life everyday exuding just that and love.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The best story from my journey in life I can share that illustrates my resilience is conquering breast cancer. After I was diagnosed in 2019, I met with my doctors to discuss a treatment plan right for me. I followed it and I’m now here to share it with you two years later. That was the toughest moment of my lifetime. It surpassed giving birth to my wonderful sons. I say that because I was in the fight by myself. Although I was blessed with an awesome support, cancer is something you have to get through by yourself. I decided to have lumpectomy followed by four rounds of chemo and six rounds of radiation. I don’t sugar coat the experience. Chemo was the worst. I didn’t know the last round of chemo is the strongest. I didn’t eat for nearly 21 days towards the end and was afraid I would need urgent care to get my strength back up. When that became a conversation with my doctor I quickly found the strength my Heavenly Father instilled in me and regained my health. I lost all of my hair, but I’m glad to say I now have head full that extends to my shoulders. The scars are my battle wounds that tells the story of how greatly I am to be alive and that I fought for my will to live. Every breast cancer survivor will tell you the pain doesn’t end when your treatment plan is done. You still experience pain in your joints. We have disabilities that stay with us forever. You would never know it because of our resilience. We continue to be mothers, wives professionals, grandmothers, caregivers…and the list goes on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: abeautifulsurvivor
• Facebook: Tanya Ware (Beautiful Survivor) and Beautiful Survivor
• Linkedin: Tanya Ware
• Other: Facebook group- “Survivorship”

Image Credits
Photographer- Kobe Mathis/IG-Visualsbykobe