The Silver Lining: Finding Peace in Life’s Journey with Michelle Zenie

In 2001 at the age of 3 years old, Michelle Zenie’s son was diagnosed with leukemia. Although he is now a successful 24 year old adult, Michelle knows that you can never go back from being a cancer mom.  From 2005-2013, Michelle experienced profound grief as she lost 6 people in her life. In the midst of all of this was a difficult divorce.  In her healing process, Michelle connected with the  Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley as a volunteer. Since January 2014,  Michelle has served as the agency"s  Executive Director. With personal experience in the world of pediatric cancer to back her professional expertise,  In our conversation, the final installment of  The Think Courageously Podcast, we discuss the silver linings found in every traumatic event. We explore what it feels like to be in the direct pathway of grief.  Michelle shares her own lessons from living and leading with grief and loss. We talk about how life’s reality is that it is hard. To live a full life, we must appreciate how sadness and beauty are both part of our shared experiences.  We talk about Michelle’s philosophy on healing from trauma which includes:Acknowledging that life is really hard. Accepting that life is a journey. Recognizing that no is coming to save you. You are the only one that will save you. Each of us can figure out how to survive and thrive after trauma.Allow creativity to pave your way. Give yourself a moment to take in the beauty of lifeIt’s important to sit in hard moments.  Finally , we explore embracing the notion that we are all a mess. That we all have moments of not feeling good enough. Moments where we are battling imposter syndrome. And the power of finding grace in all of the ups and downs of our shared experiences.  As the Executive Director of PCFLV, Michelle"s passion for this cause, along with her business acumen, has helped her grow PCFLV into an award-winning organization and one of the Lehigh Valley"s most well-respected non-profits. PCFLV helps over 300 families in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. In addition, she received the Lehigh Valley Business’ Women of Influence award in 2022.  Her vision for PCFLV is to bring a compassionate network of resources and services to families during the most challenging time in their lives, while collaborating with Lehigh Valley businesses, organizations, and community partners. PCFLV works closely with Lehigh Valley Health Network to provide their pediatric oncology patients with programming and services and access to help with bills through the Family Assistance Fund.  In her personal life, Michelle is blessed to be mom to three kids: Cole (a pediatric cancer survivor), Aidan, and Makenna. She is a Reiki Master, a Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher, and enjoys yoga, art, writing, hiking and travel with her kids and husband, Eric Rounds. Learn more about Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley at: https://www.pcflv.org/