Meet Andrea Hecht
I’m Andrea Hecht—a Certified Professional Life Coach & Well-being Specialist, founder of Fully Informed Life, and host of The Next ChaptHER podcast. I help women find their roadmap back to J.O.Y. (Journey of You) after life throws them a curveball. I’m also a mom of two, wife, friend, and someone who’s been in the ring myself—most recently with a breast cancer diagnosis right before my 48th birthday.
What have you been fighting through?
A breast cancer diagnosis and the whirlwind of appointments, second opinion, scans, biopsies, surgery, and follow-ups—while still showing up as a mom, wife, and coach to my clients. I’ve also been fighting through the mental battle of keeping my energy and joy alive during a season that could have easily swallowed them.
Tell us your story.
Three days before my 48th birthday, life handed me a plot twist I didn’t see coming: breast cancer. One moment, I was building my business, cheering my kids on, and planning my next chapter. The next moment, I was navigating a maze of appointments, procedures, and recovery timelines. But I refused to let this become the only chapter in my story. I’ve leaned into the tools I teach my clients—mindset shifts, self-compassion, and a relentless search for little sparks of joy—even on the days when it felt impossible.
It hasn’t been a neat, linear process. But it’s been real, human, and filled with moments that reminded me just how strong I am. And as I’ve walked this path, I’ve been writing about it in my These Girls Are For Fighting™️ series on Substack—capturing the messy, the raw, and the moments of light I’ve found along the way.
What helped you get through the hardest parts—or what’s helping you?
The power of music, leaning on my people (near and far), aka my Fight Club Members, and giving myself permission to rewrite my definition of productivity. And honestly—humor. Being able to laugh in the middle of the mess keeps me grounded. And of course, the occasional push of my “Fuck” and “Badass Buttons” that have been on my nightstand through this journey.
What surprised you most about yourself in this fight?
That even when my body was slowed down, my spirit could still move forward. I discovered a quiet strength in myself that didn’t depend on hustle or achievement—it came from simply deciding I wasn’t going to lose myself in this. So I turned to what I know: sharing, informing, and inspiring others. That’s when I started my These Girls Are For Fighting Substack.
Where were you when you realized you were in a fight?
I was sitting in the nail salon when my phone lit up with a number I didn’t recognize. It looked a lot like the number from the doctor’s office where I’d had my biopsy, but I didn’t answer—my nails were soaking, and I figured I could call back later. Then I saw the voicemail notification. My chest started pounding before I even pressed play.
It was the doctor. She had my results and wanted to speak with me.
I tried to steady my breathing, politely asked the nail tech to remove my polish, paid, and said I’d come back another time. I walked quickly to the parking lot, sat in my car, and called the office back. When the doctor came on the line, she said the words no one wants to hear: “I have to tell you—you have breast cancer.”
Just that—“cancer.” The big C. My breath caught, and I burst into tears, hyperventilating at the thought that this could be real. She reassured me it was early stage, told me she’d help me through it, and connected me with the nurse navigator. But all I could think in that moment was: How do I tell my kids?
What’s one object, song, or place that carried you through this fight?
My These Girls Are For Fighting playlist—it’s been the soundtrack that reminds me who I am beyond a diagnosis. It’s not just my playlist, though—it’s a collective one. Family, friends, and people in my community all added songs to it, so every track feels like a piece of love and encouragement sent my way.
And my Fight Club pink bracelets. I wear mine every day, I’ve given them to my entire medical team at appointments, and I’ve sent them to family and friends near and far. Every time I see one, I’m reminded that I have an entire team in my corner, so I never have to feel alone in this fight.
If you could give this chapter of your life a title, what would it be?
“These Girls Are for Fighting ™️”
Finish this sentence: I feel most like myself when…
I feel most like myself when I’m connecting with other women, laughing until it’s hard to breathe, and reminding us all that we are so much more than the hard things we’ve been through.
What’s one small thing you do now that you never would have done before this fight?
I speak up sooner and share more openly. I’ve always been someone who supports others, but I used to keep my own struggles close to me. This fight has cracked me open in a different way—I’ve shared my story, my fears, and my truth more raw and vulnerable than ever before. And in doing that, I’ve learned that letting people in isn’t a weakness…it’s a lifeline.
What do you want other women to know if they’re in their own fight right now?
You don’t have to be “on the other side” to start living again. Give yourself permission to find small moments of joy in the present. It’s not about pretending everything’s okay—it’s about refusing to disappear in the middle of your own story.
Don’t be afraid to ask for support or to place boundaries that protect your energy. Even when life feels completely out of control, you have more control than you think—especially over your own mental chatter. Staying mentally “online” gives you the clarity you need to make the tough decisions and process the information that comes your way.
What’s next for you?
I’m continuing to heal, build my strength, and share my roadmap back to J.O.Y. with other women so they know they don’t have to walk through their fight alone. I’m working on a book about my journey—woven together from the Substack posts I’ve written throughout this chapter. I’m serving my coaching clients, growing my Circle Group, and launching Next ChaptHER Connect—a mix of IRL unplugged gatherings and virtual events—so women everywhere can connect, share, and support each other in writing their next chaptHER.
Do you want to share your Fight Journey with The Next ChaptHER community? Click here to submit your information.
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Make sure to tune in to The Next ChaptHER podcast (link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-chapther/id1670206410) for additional support and inspiration.