Everyone has her story of challenges and setbacks, even the incredibly poised women we see on television. Dr. Nicole Saphier’s personal story is as dramatic as any news story she has reported on Fox News.
My grandfather began as a pupil of Robert Frost, the famed poet, and later became the occupant of his Dartmouth academic office. Because of the intimate history, it is no wonder these brilliant poetic words have held great meaning in my life
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
We all have a journey.
Mine is no different in that it took a few twists and turns along the way.
My story begins with an unexpected turn of events — a teenage pregnancy that forever altered the course of my life. At the age of 17, I found myself facing a reality that I had never imagined for myself. The news of my pregnancy sent shockwaves through my world, leaving me grappling with fear, uncertainty, and a myriad of emotions.
In the midst of this whirlwind, I was confronted with a choice — to succumb to despair and resignation as my peers were telling me my professional life will never be, or to rise above adversity and forge a path forward.
Despite the doubts and judgments of others, I refused to let my circ*mstances define me. Instead, I made a conscious decision to take control of my future, to reclaim agency over my life, and to pursue my aspirations with unwavering resolve.
I would be lying if I said it was easy, if I denied the sleepless nights of listening to music while crying softly into my pillow. The reality is, the bad days during this time outweighed the good days, but I had a purpose, and I wasn’t willing to surrender to the quicksand I felt was trying to engulf me.
In the face of naysayers and skeptics (believe me, there were many who told me having a baby would ruin my life), I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. My baby was born my senior year of high school, and was held up high by my parents as I walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma. Forwent my dreams of going to NYC for college, so I enrolled in the local university and started immediately, determined to carve out a future filled with purpose and possibility.
It was not easy — I faced countless challenges along the way, from juggling the demands of motherhood to navigating the complexities of academia. I even missed an exam because I was in the hospital with my little guy when he had a high fever. Yet, with each hurdle I encountered, I emerged stronger, more resilient, and more determined than ever to succeed. In fact, every time someone told me I couldn’t, I became more determined to prove that I could.
As I delved deeper into my studies, I discovered a passion for early breast cancer diagnosis after my beloved grandmother died from late stage breast cancer — a calling that resonated deep within my soul. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, I set my sights on a career in early cancer detection, determined to use my experiences to avoid late-stage cancer diagnoses so people wouldn’t suffer the way my grandmother did.
Through hard work and perseverance, I earned my medical degree, blazing a trail to graduate not only top of my medical school class, but the only single mother on the stage. Yet, even as I celebrated this milestone, I knew that my journey was far from over.
Fueled by a relentless pursuit to do more, I realized I could only see so many patients each day in the hospital. That is when I became involved with health care policy, advocating for women to have access to the most sensitive technology for detecting breast cancer early. From there, I was asked to speak on television about the legislative updates in breast cancer. I have been a weekly presence on national television ever since, discussing breast cancer, the latest health and wellness trends and more!
Today, as a mother of three, an expert in breast cancer diagnosis, a staunch advocate for women's health, a national best-selling author, and founder of the nutraceuticals company DropRX, I am humbled by the opportunity to stand at the forefront of change — to champion the voices of those who have been silenced, to empower individuals to take control of their health, and to inspire others to turn adversity into triumph.
Societal pressures on women still have us believe we must choose between motherhood or our professional careers, the reality is, we don’t. I was a teen mom. While challenging and scoffed upon, that moment doesn’t define me. In fact, it continues to motivate me.
My journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith in oneself. It is a reminder that no matter the obstacles we face, we have the power to overcome, to persevere, and to emerge stronger on the other side. And brings to light the reality, we really can have it all.
So to all those who find themselves grappling with doubt or uncertainty, I offer this simple yet profound truth — never underestimate the power of the human spirit to transcend the limits of circ*mstance and to soar to new heights of possibility. For in the end, it is not our challenges that define us, but rather, our response to them that shapes the course of our destiny.
In Her Own Words is a daily Bizwomen feature edited and curated by Ellen Sherberg and written by individual contributors. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing narrative, please send an email to ESherberg@bizjournals.com.
