Winner Week 2: Deb Cohen
[ READ DEB'S WINNING ESSAY ]
Deb Cohen, 42, was diagnosed with cancer when she was in her late 30’s. She endured the painful treatment of chemotherapy, lost her hair and felt sicker than she ever imagined she could feel–and yet she worked throughout her treatment.
At 40, she had her second baby post cancer. Now she is able to look back at her experiences and feel confident, healthy and beautiful. She is also an elementary school teacher, a guide, role model, and coach, as well as a mother of two beautiful girls. Deb is currently training for 84-mile Pan Mass Challenge bike race to help raise money for cancer. After battling cancer and surviving, she says she is fearless. She feels stronger than ever and sets goals for herself that she never would have dreamed of accomplishing a few years ago. To Deb, beauty comes from within. What makes a woman beautiful is being confident, trying something new even if it’s scary, and taking challenges and risks.
Q&A WITH DEB
What’s your favorite pump-yourself-up song?
“Praise You” by Fatboy Slim
Which well-known person, alive or not, do you most admire? Why?
I really admire Oprah. She has done so much to help and heal people in the world. Her work has made a difference! She also seems like she has a warm heart, a kind soul and would be a fun, loyal friend.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Who would you go with?
I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand. When I traveled when I was younger, I met so many nice people from that area. Everyone seemed so down to earth and friendly. Also, everyone I’ve met who has gone to these places speak so highly of the experience. I would love to go with my best girlfriends. I know we would have a great time!
What is your personal mantra?
“You can do it!” I always say these words to myself as I am faced riding my bike up a big hill!
What is your most meaningful physical possession and why?
My most meaningful possession is the wedding band my late father gave to my mother on their wedding day. It says in Hebrew, “You are my beloved and my beloved is mine.”
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being an educator. love having a positive influence on children’s lives. It gives me a purpose in this world.
What item of clothing could you not live without? Why?
My sexy jeans because that is who I am, just a down to earth jeans and T-shirt kind of girl!
What is your favorite:
Color: pink
Ice Cream Flavor: mint chocolate chip
Musical Artist: Wow! So many – Earth, Wind and Fire, Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder, U2, John Mayer, Coldplay, Norah Jones, Rolling Stones, Fatboyslim, The Frey, Beethoven….
Movie: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Activity: I like bike riding or playing with my kids!
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
My guiltiest pleasure is reading “People” magazine
What did you do on your 40th birthday?
I spent a romantic long weekend in South Beach in Miami, Florida with my lovely husband. I was also pregnant with my second child!
What do you want to be doing on your 50th birthday?
I will be having a huge party with all my family, friends and fabulous contestant winners.
What’s the best mistake you ever made?
There are no mistakes, just opportunities.
What’s the smartest thing you’ve ever done?
Marrying my wonderful husband David.
What is the best thing about being in your 40’s?
I believe experience makes you a stronger and wiser person. My life experiences over the past 40 years have given me the strength and wisdom to appreciate the simplicity and the love that I feel everyday with my family and friends.
What have you discovered about yourself now that you are in your 40’s that you didn’t know about yourself when you were younger?
I think I've always known I was a strong person. But, if you told me in my 20's that I would have cancer, lose a parent, get married and have two babies all within a 5-year period, I probably would have fainted! But, here I am and I'm okay—in fact I feel stronger and more confident then I ever did in my 20's!
What advice would you give to women who are about to turn 40?
Don't overanalyze it. It may sound cliché, but it’s all about how you feel and not your chronological age. Just focus on being happy and healthy, not the numbers.
Fill in the blank: I think everyone should travel to another country and experience another culture and do something that terrifies you! at least once in their lives.
Do you have a mentor? If so, tell us how you met him/her, what they’ve taught you, etc.
My mentor was my beloved dad. He would always give me good advice about life. We call his advice, “Bernieisms.” He would say, “Take life one day at a time” or “The plan is not to have a plan.” He would be so proud of me today in winning this contest. I am sad that he can’t experience my life at 40.
Are you a mentor to someone?
I hope I am a mentor to my students and my own children on a daily basis. I try to instill self-confidence, be a positive role model, and a good teacher.
What won’t you do now that you would have done in your 20’s?
Drink tequila and dance on tables in Greece.
DEB'S WINNING ESSAY
[ BACK TO TOP ]"Why do I feel more beautiful and confident in my 40's? I have looked FEAR in the face and conquered it. I am a three-year cancer survivor. After going through chemotherapy, losing my hair, being the thinnest and sickest in my life, I now feel more beautiful than ever. I am sexy, sassy and taking challenges I would never before done. I am currently training for a one-day, 84-mile bike race to raise money for cancer. I like to act, play guitar and sing. But, an athlete is a new venture for me. This summer I will ride for myself, my beloved dad who I lost to cancer and the many others faced with this disease.
Currently, I take care of myself by eating well, exercising and trying to make a difference in the world. I am an elementary school teacher. I am a guide, role model and coach. I am a mother to two beautiful girls and a wife to a wonderful husband. At 40 I had my second baby post-cancer. At 41, I am able to look back at my experiences and feel confident, healthy and beautiful. I wear my sexy jeans, a T-shirt and don't feel like I need to be anyone except me. I present myself as a person with heart, a person of courage and more than anything a person who takes risks and likes to add a little spice to any mix! "I am woman hear me roar!"
