Ordinary people can do extraordinary things: with Andrea Wilson Woods, Founder of Blue Faery

Today, on Notable Leaders’ Radio, I speak with Andrea Wilson Woods, President & Founder, Blue Faery. She highlights how she transformed early hardship, loss, and fierce protectiveness into founding Blue Faery, a nonprofit dedicated to liver cancer advocacy, while sharing lessons on empathy, resilience, and finding joy amidst adversity. In today’s episode, we discuss: Recognize the power of role models in shaping your identity. Reflect on who inspired you in childhood (real or fictional) and what qualities you admired. Consciously apply those traits—such as resilience, strength, or compassion—in your daily decisions and relationships, just as Andrea channeled Wonder Woman’s fierceness and protectiveness throughout her life. Practice “detachment with empathy.” If you work or volunteer in caregiving or helping professions, learn to care deeply without carrying every burden as your own. Create emotional boundaries so you can keep showing up with compassion, just as Andrea does, without risking burnout. Use counseling, mindfulness, or peer support to reinforce this practice. Intentionally cultivate moments of joy and humor, even during tough times. Look for lightness: share a joke with loved ones, recall funny memories, or build small rituals that make you smile. “Joy is a resilient muscle, strengthening it will give you balance and energy to keep going.”  Separate your self-worth from your achievements. Reflect on how your roles (career, family, volunteer, etc.) do not define your value. Develop interests and relationships untethered to performance, and give yourself grace in moments of transition—embrace who you are, not just what you do. Join or build supportive communities. If you or someone you know is affected by a particular challenge (like liver cancer), seek out or help create organizations and groups that provide understanding and resources—there’s power in connection and shared experience. RESOURCES: Guest Bio Andrea Wilson Woods is a keynote speaker, a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. For over ten years, Andrea worked in the education field as a teacher and professor for public and private schools as well as universities. Andrea obtained her master’s degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California; her nonfiction writing has won national awards. Her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about raising and losing her sister to liver cancer.   Complementary Resources: I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf:  https://www.bluefaery.org/review    Website/Social Links Website: https://bluefaery.org  Email: info@bluefaery.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluefaerylivercancer/  X: https://twitter.com/BlueFaeryLiver  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluefaeryliver/  LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-faery  LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawilsonwoods/  Website Personal: https://andreawilsonwoods.com  Belinda’s Bio: Belinda Pruyne is a renowned Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker recognized for her ability to transform executives, professionals, and small business owners into highly respected, influential leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, she partners with top-tier organizations, including IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, Discovery Channel, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Recently, she led the redesign of two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is also a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women’s network. A thought leader in leadership development, Belinda is the creator and host of the Notable Leaders Radio podcast, where she has conducted 95+ interviews with top executives and business leaders, revealing the untold stories behind their success. Previously, as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, she oversaw a global team of 500 professionals, gaining deep expertise in client services and executive leadership. With 25+ years of experience, Belinda is a trusted advisor to startups, turnarounds, acquisitions, and Fortune 500 companies, delivering strategic, high-impact solutions in today’s fast-evolving business landscape. Website: Belindapruyne.com Email Address: hello@belindapruyne.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindapruyne  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotableLeadersNetwork.BelindaPruyne/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/belindapruyne?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindapruyne/