The “WTF Moment” with Alona Shaked - Pursuing International Fertility Treatments After Conquering Cancer
Join Julia and Alona Shaked as they delve into her remarkable story. She was a 28-year-old lawyer who embarked on a challenging journey of fighting breast cancer and also discovered the heartbreaking truth that cancer treatments can significantly impact fertility. Explore the highs and lows of Alona's international path to building a family as she pursues fertility treatment in both Israel and the US. . Witness how Alona has transformed the setbacks she experienced into a coaching business catering to professional women who have undergone profound life changes.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:25] Alona shares what her different roles are and how she discovered she had cancer
[07:12] What did Alona do the night before she found she had cancer, and how she evaluates her life and makes priorities
[18:38] Alona’s Egg retrieval was subpar, and how others reacted to her cancer and desire to have a family
[20:15] Alona received international fertility treatments while living Israel
[27:53] Alona and her husband may not be on the same page
[31:50] Who is to blame for infertility
[40:04] Alona gives an example of a positive outlook on the journey of building a family, and she shares starting IUI and IVF, and the result
[47:52] What kept Alona going on the journey and what is driving her today
[52:22] Alona defines her definition of family and recommends tools she used during her path to pregnancy, and she discusses her coaching business
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Having cancer can affect your fertility.
Life’s WTF moments are an opportunity to get clear on what you really want
Family and friends are essential to help you get through a cancer diagnosis.
There is a stigma that it is the mother's fault when a couple cannot get pregnant.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHY: Alona Shaked
I am an executive and lifestyle coach who shows women how to turn significant life challenges into purposeful, fulfilling careers and lives. I started my career as a lawyer at a big firm. When I was 28 years old, I was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer, completely changing my perspective on what I wanted out of life and how I wanted to spend my time. After beating breast cancer and traveling the world, I transitioned into nonprofit management. I founded my non-profit, Thrivacious, an international community dedicated to helping women touched by cancer thrive and fulfill their dreams. I am also an IVF mama, writer, & women’s health activist. While taking a sabbatical from nonprofit management to undergo fertility treatments and build my family, I trained to become a coach. I’ve now helped dozens of clients across the globe thrive through life’s challenges, find their purpose, and succeed and grow in their careers and personal lives.
I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and my J.D. from UCLA School of Law. I live in Philadelphia with my husband Oren, Labradoodle Franklin and miracle baby Ella.
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