Interview with bestselling anthology author Gillian Lichota, who contributed the chapter titled "Butterfly" to Volume III Deserts to Mountaintops: The Pilgrimage of Motherhood. Deserts to Mountaintops: The Pilgrimage of Motherhood can be found on Amazon or any online book retailer. Gillian Lichota is the founder and CEO of the iRise Above Foundation, a nonprofit US based organization dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and supporting young women to cultivate an outstanding quality of life during and after breast cancer. She is also a mother, marine biologist, mountain climber, adventure travel enthusiast, and breast cancer Thriver. For two decades Gillian specialized in Arctic marine science, advancing scientific understanding of ocean and coastal systems, climate and global change, and improving society’s ability to plan and respond. Now she’s committed to challenging her dire breast cancer prognosis, and helping others to do the same with theirs. Gillian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, and again in 2017. Facing imminent death revealed profound truths about living. Like a phoenix, Gillian has risen from the ashes of her incurable illness stronger, wiser, and more aligned with her purpose and passion. Ardent about living an intentional, authentic life, Gillian is devoted to self-healing and supporting others to rise in the face of unimaginable adversity, so they too can live their best lives. Through her leadership with the iRise Above Foundation, Gillian helps provide young women with targeted, age-appropriate, and integrated health and wellness resources, tools, and strategies that enable them to rise above the residual effects of breast cancer, so they can heal and live well—ultimately improving their quality of life and long-term survivorship. Originally from Canada, Gillian continues to summit mountains where she finds the strength to confront her fears, and the inspiration to continue her path of healing and transformation. The mountains stand as silent witnesses to her life journey, offering solace and a reminder that even amidst the greatest challenges, there is a place where she can find clarity and peace—and rise above. You can learn more about Gillian’s story and the iRise Above Foundation at www.iriseabovefoundation.org. Follow on: Instagram – @iRise_Above and @gillian.lichota Facebook – @IRiseAboveFoundation YouTube – @iRiseAboveFoundation Email – glichota@iriseabovefoundation.org See more about The Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies and Soul Speak Press at www.soulspeakpress.com Find out more about Jessica Buchanan: This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something. Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.
