Carole Sanek is a writer, podcaster, breast cancer survivor, and life coach whose journey reflects resilience, courage, and the power of storytelling. From healing deep personal trauma through memoirs to advocating for women in leadership, Carole has turned her life experiences into lessons of strength and hope. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature her story, as her voice echoes the very mission of our 5-million-strong community: to uplift, empower, and support women globally—whether through He for She or She for She.
Q: Carole, what first inspired you to start writing and sharing your story?
I’ve always loved writing and taken classes, but a turning point came after a trauma I experienced decades ago. With the help of my therapist and my priest, I wrote my first memoir as a way to answer the question: How do you forgive the unforgivable? Writing became both healing and liberating. Over time, I planned a series of memoirs—Held, about my 20-year marriage with my late husband, and Healed, to show that yes, you can heal from trauma.
Q: Alongside writing, you’ve done public speaking, podcasting, and coaching. What challenges have you faced in this journey?
The biggest challenge has been loneliness. I moved five years ago to the Carolina mountains, which I love, but it can be hard to make deep connections as you grow older. Social media friends have been a great support system, especially after I lost my husband. I also take classes at a local university and spend time at a wine bar with friends—but I still miss that close best-friend connection.
Q: What achievement are you most proud of?
This October, I will be 32 years breast cancer-free. That is something I fought very hard for. I walked a three-day, 60-mile breast cancer fundraising walk under the hot Florida sun—something I never thought I’d do because I don’t even like to sweat! My husband was there cheering me on at every stop, and I raised $6,500. That experience taught me just how strong I really am.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Oh, you’re firing me up with that one. Women are still being pushed down in society, and it’s frustrating to see. We gave birth to everyone walking this planet—that makes us special, yet we’re treated as second-class citizens. But I believe we hold up half the sky. And I also look around and see women running businesses, women in politics, and women like Taylor Swift—who, love her or not, is a brilliant example of a woman running her empire. We need more role models like her for younger women to look up to.
Q: What advice would you give future women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Don’t give up. Ever. The women I admire most are the ones who just kept going no matter what was thrown at them. We need every woman’s voice, every woman’s effort. Persistence is everything.
Q: How do you personally define success?
Success to me is very personal. When I walk into my garage and see the beautiful car I bought on my own, or look at the third house I bought on my own, I remind myself—I did this. That’s success. Professionally, it’s the fact that people enjoy my podcast, appreciate me as a writer, and value me as a coach. Even when I think about leaving social media, people tell me not to go—that shows me I’ve built something meaningful.
“Don’t give up. Keep going. We need all the women, every single one, to stand tall and keep fighting for their place in the world.” — Carole Sanek
Connect with Carole Sanek: You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
