What Stage 4 Cancer Taught Me About Living Fully | Amie Jelich Yaniak

Jennifer Norman:
Sometimes in life, the things you think are going to break you are actually the things that wake you up. And that only happens when you make that choice. You choose persistence toward a life of optimism and joy, even in the face of unimaginable pain. Today's conversation is a testament to that kind of courage. My guest is Amie Jelich Yaniak, an actress, happiness coach, entrepreneur, and podcast host who has turned life's most dynamic, devastating moments into a powerful invitation to live more truthfully, more freely, and more fully. A devoted single mom of two, Amie made the bold move to Los Angeles to support her children's dreams. But behind the scenes, she was navigating a painful divorce and a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Two life altering experiences that could have defined her story, but they didn't.

Jennifer Norman:
Instead, Amie chose something radically different. She chose to live through her brand, Loving youg Life, her podcast, and her growing global community. Amie helps others reconnect to their inner joy, reclaim their voice, and realize that happiness isn't something external. It's something that we cultivate from within. In today's episode, we're diving into what it really means to not let your circumstances define you. How to find light in the darkest moments, and how to build a life rooted in authenticity. Think faith and love, even when life doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever felt like your story was too heavy, too complicated, or too broken to be beautiful, this conversation is here to gently, powerfully challenge that belief.

Jennifer Norman:
Don't go anywhere. Hi there, Amie. Welcome to the show.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Hi, Jennifer. Thank you so much for having me.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, my goodness. When I heard about you, I was just taken aback because your story holds so much depth and also so much light, which is amazing. And I love to have these incredible stories of courage and just this amazing ability to see the silver lining, which it's so hard to do when you're stuck in that moment, when you were caught in that moment. But I really think that you're such a great example of all of these things going on in your life and coming out so beautifully. So I wanted to ask you, I wanted to start at the moment where you feel like things shifted for you because you went through this painful divorce. You had this stage four cancer diagnosis. I think these are two things that could shake anyone to the core. But how was that when you decided, this is not going to define me, I'm going to get through this.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Wow. So. Well, yeah, because the divorce happened, and I think a lot of people think too, that the divorce is just something that just, you Decide like, hey, we're divorcing, let's go. No, it's a process, right? You're going through all of these things in life. You're reshaping yourself within the marriage, you're trying to figure out yourself, you're trying to heal the marriage. Like all of these things you're doing usually to try to make it work. Like, I didn't want to give up and be like, okay, I'm done. So I was really working, trying to make it work.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And yeah. And when you finally decide, you know what, it's just not going to work. Because I realized in my own self, not blaming anybody, that there's more peace being on my own. And so I just was like, I needed that piece. So when I finally decided that, I'm like, okay, and I took it and I'm like, all right, that's what I'm doing. But it was a three year long divorce process. So that was really hard for me. That was just a...

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I even told my mom it's going to kill me. Like, it was so bad of the fighting and just the divorce situation is not a wonderful thing. And when you're trying to hold it for your kids. So I had, at the time, I don't even know how old Grace was. I think she was like 15 maybe, or 14. And so when I have two children, you're holding it together for your kids and making it work. It can put a toll on you. It really can.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But through it, I was like, okay, no, we're going to get through it. It's just a moment. It's just a moment. It's just a moment. So that happened then about, I'd say, six months later, something like that. Maybe a little more than that. I got this stage four diagnosis. And that was crazy because this was a huge, pivotal moment for me as well, because I was literally walking with a friend of mine on Santa Monica Pier.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
She's taller than me, walking. And I thought nothing of it. All of a sudden I got pain in my acetabulum down on my left side. And I thought it's probably just stretched. Like I was walking too fast. And that's all it was. Well, got back home, nothing was helping. Got admitted straight to the urgent care, straight to the er, straight to the hospital for like a month and a half.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And they just started doing test after test after test after test. And they're like, you have cancer in your bones. Like it's all in your bones in different areas. You have it nearest your acetabulum, in your hip, in your ribs, in your spine. And I have a new one now in my sternum. So they're like, we don't know what's going to happen because the way this is, I'm supposed to have the easy cancer. And everybody's going to say this, but also people will disagree with this. It's follicular thyroid, which people say, oh, that's easy.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
That's not a big deal. But what happened was, Jennifer, when they actually went in to operate, there was nothing there. It just had spread. Yeah, it had spread. So that's when the doctors looked at me and goes, I have done over 2,000 surgeries. I've never seen this before. You're going to have to live your life between treatments because we don't know what's going to happen to you. So at that point I was like, okay.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And the tumor's reading through my bones. I have a 6 inch screw in my acetabulum because it ate through the bone. I couldn't walk. I was in a work care for six months. So all of this stuff is happening and I'm just like in a whirlwind of now what.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So basically the moment things changed for me though, was when I was in the hospital room. They told me this was happening. A spiritual leader came in. He actually came in and he was like, hey, you need to have this guy come in and talk to you. You need to get through some things. And I was like, no, I don't want to talk to anybody. I did not want to talk to anybody. I didn't want to even face the fact that this was happening. So when we talked, I realized, you know what if this is taking me tomorrow? Cause I did not know. I need to forgive myself for everything and forgive other people.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And those are the two big things that I did at that moment. I started texting people, I started saying I'm sorry, even to people I had never talked to, like I hadn't talked to again, things like that. And I started forgiving myself for all the mistakes I've made, for everything that happened, for all of the things within the marriage that maybe was my fault, not my fault, it doesn't matter. But the fact that these things happened and I decided to really get deep and go, if I die tomorrow, how am I going to leave this world? And that my main turning point literally was.

Jennifer Norman:
Wow, that is really interesting because they do talk about like that toxicity in your body. Anything that you're holding, any resentments or anger or animosity, anything like that is, quote, unquote, like a cancer. And I'm not saying that the emotional aspects. I mean, a lot of people may say, like, these emotional aspects are very much, much correlated and can manifest itself. That's neither here nor there. And certainly we can talk a little bit about your beliefs in that, in that respect. But there is something really beautiful about being able to release that and seeing how that can be emotionally healing, and maybe that helps to precipitate into some sort of physical healing, too. How did you feel? Did you feel lighter? What was that whole process of just texting people? Did people come back to you and say, what are you doing? Like, what is this about? This was 20 years ago.

Jennifer Norman:
I have no idea. While you're asking for forgiveness about when you stole a cookie, I don't know what it was, but, you know.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah, I mean, I did get people back. And they're like, you're gonna be okay. Everything's gonna be fine. Because I would tell them my story. I'm like, hey, I got cancer. This is where I feel that I need to apologize because I was not in the right state of mind or I wasn't thinking clearly or whatever. And I just felt like, because there's times in our lives that we do things that our mistakes or. And maybe we even do it and we're not in the right mind.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
We aren't in the right mindset. We haven't healed that part of us, or we've. There's different things. And so I wanted to go through every bit of my life and say, I am sorry for anything. If I offended you, if I said something that maybe made you feel this way or everything. And so that's. I was getting people back going, what? You're going to make it. We've got really encouraging moments.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
They weren't like, wow, okay. No, they were very, very kind. And like, we're praying for you. Everything's going to be fine. Like, they were really. If it's. If you can get through it or if you can't get through it, nobody can type of thing. So very positive feedback that I got.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But it made me feel lighter. It made me feel like, okay, now I can start with the clean slate, and if tomorrow doesn't come, it's okay. I've done what I needed to. And they got. I always feel like you need to say you love someone. Even that I did. I start telling people I love them. I was like, sharing my emotions.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Why? Because what do I have to lose? What do I have to lose? So I Think we go in fear?

Jennifer Norman:
What are we waiting for?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah, exactly. There was one story that I'll never forget. It was a lady back in Illinois when we lived there, and she was my chiropractor. And I am telling you, I had this nudging feeling because we had talked a while, but then we stopped. I came to California, and we didn't talk, and I had this nudging feeling. Contact her, contact her, contact her. And I just, oh, I'm too busy. I got this going on.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I got this going on. And it was one of those things. I mean, we live our lives sometimes that way where we don't necessarily go. It needs to be now. So I was, like, waiting, waiting, waiting. The hardest thing was when I called my friend, and she's like, did you know that she passed away? And I was like, what? I could have made that phone call. I could have taken that time to say, you know what? I'm thinking about you. How are you doing? I could have done all of that.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And she was ill. That's what it was. I didn't know that. So for me, I'm like, you got to do that. Stop procrastinating on those things. Tell that person you love them. Who cares, cares if they love you back or they don't. It doesn't matter.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Just go and say what you need to say. I sometimes say I'm going to message someone every night. I love you. Like, I'm thinking about you. Things like that. Because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. And I would rather be on everybody's radar of, this is really I love you, and I'm not hiding it anymore, holding it in. I'm saying it.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I think that was the biggest thing I learned, was not to have fear, to just go. Because we don't know what tomorrow brings with anybody. I mean, this could be an illness or anything. So let's be proactive and really, truly how we feel and not be afraid to do it.

Jennifer Norman:
But I feel like you're speaking to me because I'm one of those people. I'm the youngest of six kids, and I can't tell you the last time I've talked to some of my siblings, even. It's just like, I feel like, oh, if I call one, then I've got to call all of them. And then it's just. It'll take hours, and it's just like, time will go by, and I'm so, you know, all of these things, and I just make excuses. Other friends, that same thing where I feel like I just don't make the time. So, gosh darn it, I'm going to make the time. I can't.

Jennifer Norman:
But my biggest question here is, did you forgive your ex?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So you know what? I did. There's been... But I'm telling you the truth. I've been through the. Still healing through that process, especially now after the cancer, you know, I can forgive him for everything that was said and done and things that I didn't understand. And I was kind of forgiving him even through. Before I even had it. I was doing music therapy, and I had clients that were kind of telling me what my ex was going through in a way.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I was like, oh, okay. So it's based on how we're raised. It's based on other things, too. And even for me, right. It's based on how we're raised, how we communicate with people, what we think, how we perceive things. It's always in the perception of our own lens that we see something. So someone could be.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
You could.... you have six kids, you said, right?

Jennifer Norman:
Six in the family that was. My parents had six kids. Yeah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah.

Jennifer Norman:
So I have. I have five sisters and brothers. Yeah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah. And everybody could see the same thing differently, which the parents did, and be like, oh, no, no, this is what I saw. No, this is what I saw. It's how we perceive it. So once I realized that, then, yes, I was like, I'm forgiving you all of this. Did we have a huge conversation? No, I wasn't able to get a great conversation. I think I might be doing that. Let's talk about it when my son graduates.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I don't know, he's graduating this year. So I'm working on that because I'm like, again, what's the worst that can happen? But everything to gain because you finally put it out there, the truth.

Jennifer Norman:
Wow, that is. Yeah. So that's incredible. And I sense that when you go through that process, we were talking about how it can help you just at least feel a little bit more at peace. And then maybe the body feels a little bit more able to process other things, to metabolize other things, and to get onto more of a healing, healing journey, because you're not holding on to all of these things which might be keeping your body in a state of stress of, like, cortisol overload and inflammation and all the things that come with that, in addition to trying to fight off cancer or whatever the cancer is doing. So tell me about what happened after that. You went through this process where the doctor's like, okay, you're gonna have to live through these between treatments. But what... does this have a happy ending? I'm hoping?

Jennifer Norman:
You're here, you're smiling, you're gorgeous. I mean, like, tell me what. What happened?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So, I mean, basically, I decided to live my life. Like, I got home, I was in the wheelchair. I got out of the wheelchair. I started going to work out. I worked out with Brooke Burke, who is my amazing friend, and it was the first time I met her, and I worked out, and we just connected. And it was yoga, and I was just smiling through the whole thing, literally, because I'm like, I can do this. I'm not in a wheelchair. My eyes are open.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I can move my body. Like, how can I not be grateful for this? So, like, she remembers me just laughing through the hardest parts of the journey. Like, we were all like. And I'm just like, yay. Like, laughing, because I could do it even if I'm breathing heavy. And it's the hardest thing in the world. Wow. I'm able to do it.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So, I mean, everything is grateful. Grateful. Driving to Malibu, and I'm like, oh, the mountains. Oh, my gosh. I'm looking at them. I'm so grateful I'm not in the hospital bed. I'm not. And just all of these things.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So that's what I started doing. Then I started doing breath work with her, and breath work, amazing. I let out so much. I mean, she would do sound baths, and I would just like, internally, all of this stuff is coming out more and more, and you just. I was shaking and crying and. And I don't even really know exactly what was coming out, but it was a lot of emotion that, like you said, was pent up. It was pent up. I was married 18 years when everything was finally said and done, so that's a very, very long time to be in that mode of kind of fight or flight in my mind and trying to figure out what I was doing, where I was going, everything.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Just hormones, pregnancies, you know, just everything. Right. Just everything. So all of that, I was really trying to figure out what was going on. And so I started releasing and releasing. So through breath work, through sound baths, through yoga, through meditation, through prayer, through everything, I was really focused on me. And I think it was the time when I finally said, it is me time. I know it's not selfish to have me time.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And a lot of times as moms or as women, we're like, oh, but if we love ourselves, then that's wrong, because we should be doing this for everybody else. Right. Want to nurture, be there. Da, da, da. And it's like, no, because when you do that, you lose yourself, number one. You lose your health, and then what do you have to offer? Nothing. Nothing.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So that's what I focused on.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. I think that there is such a tendency, as you were saying, for women to do that and to do the people pleasing and to. It's like almost like you create this codependent situation because you want to do everything. You want to be seen as the caretaker, the caregiver, the provider, the one that has it all together and that can keep the family together and do all the things. And then you find yourself depleted or you find you wake up one day and you just don't even know who you are or what the things are that you even like anymore. And I almost found that way in both of my marriages. I was married and divorced twice, and both times I really did get a sense. I lost myself.

Jennifer Norman:
I feel like I lost myself in the relationship, in the partnership, and now I feel like I know better. I went through that whole healing journey, too, to say exactly what you said. It's like, you know what? I really need to get to know me. I need to get to love me. I need to remember me, and then I can be more able to give people the real me, and I can feel secure and have a strong foundation in the real me and be able to live my life so much richer and so much more pleasantly and in so much more gratitude. Because you're attracting the people that you really wish to. To really, rather than trying to please people that you think you might want to know or that you want to gain favor of or whatever it is. It's just not.

Jennifer Norman:
That's not really you. That's more of, like, indentured servitude, as it were. Truly. Yeah. So I love that you were able to do that. So. Yeah. And yoga, the breath work, the sound baths.

Jennifer Norman:
It's so funny how all of these things have become so mainstream. And I think it's because they are so extreme, accessible, and they are so beautiful, and they are very mind, body, soul, resonant, truly. It's like all of these different ways and practices bring a sense of peace and calm and harmony. I think the trick is making sure that that carries through the rest of your life after you get off the mat or after you leave this session, too.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
That is true. Like, you have to keep it going. Like, you have to. You know, I'm always listening to really good podcasts, I'm listening to really good YouTube videos. I'm listening to all of that. That has a meaning in there, that something that I can learn and grow from. Because you're right. When you get off of that, you're like, back to normal, right? And so it's like, no, we've got to keep it going, that we're always working on ourselves.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
At least tomorrow I'm bettering myself. At least. At least a little bit. At least a little bit something of my mindset, reframing my mind, things like that.

Jennifer Norman:
Are there any particular podcasts or things that you've learned along the way, too, that have helped to really reinforce your journey? Are there any mantras or different phrases that you kind of carry in your mind that you feel every day? That just keep helping to reinforce this sense of self love, self esteem, self worth while you're still going through daily life, frankly?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah. I mean, I do a lot of I am loved, I am at peace, life is joyful. Everything manifests for me. I'm so lucky. Like, I do that. And, you know, it's a weird because when I was younger, if you'd be like, oh, I'm so lucky. People are like, oh, well, you just think you're this. And it's like, no, actually, we're all lucky. Like, we all can be lucky. We can all be happy. There's not just like one person can be. And then if you are like, everybody can.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I think when you're younger, you think, oh, like, you'll stop yourself. I was bullied when I was younger because I was the type of kid that was like, smiling and happy. And then it was like, well, yeah, you're too much. You're too much. And I started shrinking myself.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And then I realized, why just be you. Just be you. And who cares if they like you or not? Maybe you're someone's cup of tea and maybe you're not, but the people that will resonate with you are. The true people are the people that want to be with you, in your corner and get you, and you can be authentically yourself. I'd rather have people that I can be authentically myself with than people that I have to be not myself because I can't say something. I'm walking on eggshells. I'm not sure what are you thinking? Like, I don't want that. I want the true people to be in my inner circle.

Jennifer Norman:
That's the beauty of it, is recognizing that you don't have to change yourself or other People, I mean, there is respect and there's decorum and all of those things, and that's a different aspect of it. But feeling like you can't be happy because somebody thinks you're too much, or if you feel that you need to act a certain way to gain favor, that's really the sense that we're talking about here. And yeah, the beautiful thing is that you can be happy when everybody else, you know, it's really just a mindset. You can be happy in the worst times and see the rosy side of things. And people might be like, oh, you're not a realist or you're through rose colored glasses. But if you train yourself to think positively, I mean, it's been proven power of positive thinking can cure illness. It can get you into more openings and places because you believe that you can. You believe that it's possible you're not stuck in that kind of like, fixed environment, that fixed mindset.

Jennifer Norman:
There's a growth environment, There's a growth mindset that is associated with positive thinking, which helps with personal growth, which helps with expansion, which helps with abundance, which helps with so many things. Because a lot of times we're like, oh, this is just the way that I am. I can't change myself. Or it's like we think, oh, that person is too this, that person is too that. But get curious about why is that person so happy and what is she drinking? And maybe I need to have some myself.

Jennifer Norman:
And so, yeah, yeah, it's accepting. I always firm believer of like, live and let live and so let people, like really feel their joy. And frankly, I find it infectious. I am definitely one that gets very persuaded. I get into a group and I start to kind of morph in and. And I'm definitely a little bit of a shapeshifter that way. So I love seeing like different approaches to things and then gravitating to. Yeah, that feels good.

Jennifer Norman:
I want to gravitate to what feels good now. What just. Just seems like it lights me up now. That's really what I'm all about. And it sounds like you are too.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah, I will. I'll surround myself with people like that, with positive thinkers, with people that are like, anything's possible. I win the Price is Right, which is crazy. And like, I saw you won a car.

Jennifer Norman:
I saw you won a car.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I won two cars!

Jennifer Norman:
You won two. You won two cars. There you go. You won Mariah Carey tickets from Jennifer Hudson. I know. I've seen all of this of you. And yeah, it's. It's kind of like, yeah, these things can happen if you just put yourself in the right places and take a chance on yourself. Why not?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And the whole time I'm doing it, like, even Price is Right, Jennifer Hudson. Like, I was so in. I call it my love bubble. Like, I just get in my love bubble where I'm like, everybody's in this love. We're all happy. Like, everything. Like, anybody can win. Anybody could do anything.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, it's one of those things. And once I'm in that kind of moment, that's when things start really manifesting for me. And not that I was thinking, I'm going to get Mariah Carey tickets. I wasn't thinking that at all. Like, I knew we were going up to say something, but we didn't know anything else. So that was a complete surprise to me. Like, complete. And then the car on Price is Right, I was manifesting that.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I was literally. It was in the end of my divorce, my lease was up, and I was like, what am I going to do? Yeah. And I'm like, I'm not in the car. Like, I knew he wasn't gonna get. And I'm like, how am I gonna drive the kids to school? What am I gonna do? Like, all of this stuff was in my mind. And I was like, oh, okay, I have a car. And I would drive, and I'd be like, I have a car.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I have a car. I didn't know what kind of car. I didn't even think about a car. But I was like, I got a car. And just looking around and believing I had a car. And then all of a sudden, that happened, and I had a dream that I was spinning the wheel. And when I had that dream, the next day, an email pops in saying, hey, do you want to be on the Price is Right? Just as an audience member? Oh, like, sure. My mom's coming into town.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
It'll be fun. Why not? Mom, you want to come? Yeah, sure. So we go the next week. I have no idea I'm going to be even on that stage. And I thought they already picked people because that's usually what I think they do for other things. So I'm like, they probably picked people. I'm not one of them. It's okay.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But they interviewed everybody, and I was at the time making guacamole at a little Mexican restaurant for some income. So it was like, I make guacamole and I sing. Like, I don't know. I just said it. And then everybody went through, and I'm like, yay. Go, go, go. I'm Just all happy for everybody. And then they called me up, and it was just like, what?

Jennifer Norman:
They just loved your energy.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah. But even in that time, I was trusting people because there were so. There were three people that go up, they spin the wheel, and then another three people. I was in the second group of people, although I was still up there. So I missed three times the prices.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I was like, am I gonna get the price? I don't even know these prices. Like, I don't even know what I think is Louis Vuitton. I don't even know how much these cost. I know nothing. I really know nothing. Like, no, I know nothing. And so I'm like. So I'm trusting the people behind me that They know.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I was like, you know what, Amie? It's your time. Stop trusting other people with your life. Stop trusting other. And this was a moment of, like, almost awakening for me, and I was like, okay. And so I look back and I'm like, okay, who here, out of everybody in the audience, owns an electronic store? Point me to them. That was all I said. I looked at this one guy, he said, the price.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm like, I believe you. That was all I needed. Not the people that were. Just kept telling me over and over the prices. Like, I needed one person. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt that was it. And I got a TV and DVD player, and I had actually met that, too, for my kids.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I wanted them to have a TV. So it was like, I got that, and then all of a sudden was a car. And then all of a sudden it was the wheel. And then all of a sudden, it was another car and a trip to New York, which I manifested because I wanted to go see the ball drop. That was a big, big wish list of mine. So, like, all of these things happened, and it was just like. Like, what? But if you believe it, it can happen. And if you have faith and just jump and go, it can happen.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But you have to make that effort to do it. Like, if I didn't go, I wouldn't have done it. And I don't know, because we were running late, and I wasn't feeling good, so it almost stopped me. But there was also another reason behind this, Jennifer, which I said on. I think it was the Washington Post, but they interviewed me. The thing was, my mom actually had a heart attack at the event, so...

Jennifer Norman:
She had a heart attack?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah. And so she was so excited. Like, if you watch the episode, she's just here and she's like, you know, and she's like 80. She's right now 90 years old. So this was 2018, somewhere in there. So she was still in her 80s. So basically she got a heart attack. And so when I got out after signing my papers, they're like, your mom just had a heart attack. Can you take her straight to the hospital? So I took her. They put a stent in and it saved her life because she would have been on the flight to go back home, and we don't know what would have happened.

Jennifer Norman:
Right.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
For me, I feel like all of that. Yes, I got the TV. I got everything. Great, great, great. But my mom was saved. So that was also a part of the bigger plan that I had no clue about.

Jennifer Norman:
I love that you're turning such a positive thing out of your mom having a heart attack, by the way. You're like, my mom had a heart attack, but she was okay.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And that's kind of my mom. Okay, my mom, 90, but my mom. Literally, I go in the hospital room, I'm like, so, doctor, what happened? She had a heart attack. And she. She goes, no, I didn't. And I'm like, mom, you did. They put.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
She's like, ah, no big deal. And I'm like...

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, my God, she's a sweetheart. Oh, that's hilarious. She's like in complete denial. Like, ah, don't worry about me. It's just a flesh wound, like the Monty Python. Just a scratch.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
She's trying to clean. And she's like, I'm tired. I'm like, you just have a stop.

Jennifer Norman:
It's so funny. Oh, my gosh, that's hilarious. I do want to mention, though, because it sounds like in that moment when you were on the Price Is Right, and all these noises , and all these people are yelling at you, this is a lesson. This is a lesson that there's always going to be voices, there's always going to be chatter. And you were able to separate out the signal from the noise because you were... There was a moment of clarity for you. There was a moment where you paused and you were able to collect yourself and say, I'm not going to listen to the noise. I'm going to go for the...

Jennifer Norman:
You strategized and said, okay, I'm going to listen to the voice that is going to lead me in the right direction. And in that quick, quick moment, you were able to just buzz yourself and just hone in with laser focus on the person that could give you the right answer. And I think that unto itself is actually really important, is to just not get all caught up in the fray but take that breath, Breathe. Take that moment. Pause and think about, okay, this is wiser way of going about this. And there you go. Yeah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
That was a huge thing for me because I've always been like, well, what will people say? What should I. Should I do what? You know, I always needed help in a way. Oh, you think, well, I'm not good at business. These other people are. I'd be listening to this. So this, this, this, right? You get so confused, right, Jennifer, like, you've got all the trigger. Do it this way, do it that way, do it this way, think this way. And you're just like, I don't even know who I am anymore.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So we have to be authentically ourselves. And we lose that because. And not to say, don't go to people and get advice. I'm not saying that, but I'm just saying to figure out where that, like you said, that your intuition leads you and what's the truth for you?

Jennifer Norman:
No, that's actually wonderful. Wonderful. It's a wonderful lesson, and it's great, great advice. Wow. So. So you're still living with cancer. You still have it in your body. I was curious about that, if it was in remission or are you feeling any pain?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So I still get some rib pain. I still get some spine pain, so that's still there. But it just. It's not like it was. So it doesn't bother me. I'm not on, like, pain pills. I don't do that. I'm really on naturals a lot of the time.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
My doctor gave me some really good naturals. The numbers did go up recently. And I also have. This is why this is here, a giant cell bone tumor...

Jennifer Norman:
I was gonna ask about that. Amie's got what looks like a bright pink bandage on her middle finger on her right hand. I was thinking, oh, did you, like, sprain a finger giving somebody the bird or something like that? But. So what is that for? You had to have some tests done?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I did. So this is completely different than my cancer. This was crazy. It was back in 2000, I think, 11 or 12. And I was playing piano. And one. Because I play piano, and I do vocal lessons, and I was playing piano, and I was hurt. My finger was hurting.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I'm like, what is going on? And every time I played, I'm like, it hurts. So I went to the doctor thinking it's probably nothing if they're gonna say it's sprayed. I smacked it in the wall while I was doing something with the kids, you know, who knows? I'm a mom, whatever. And so I was like, maybe that's what it was. Went to the doctor. They sent me straight to Rush University in Chicago and said, you need to go see this doctor. He goes and he checks, and he goes, you have a giant cell bone tumor. 1% of people have this.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm like, what? He's like, yeah. That means that your tumor's eating through the bone and you have a tumor. We don't know if it's cancerous, malignant, or if it's benign. We're gonna do surgery. So they did surgery. They took it out. They put in my hip bone into there, so I have a hip bone that's in there. And then the tumor was still there, because even if it's a point fraction, it can still get big.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So in two months, it ate through the bone again. And I was like, okay, what are we gonna do now? We're gonna put a cadaver in. Well, this was a time when I was like, okay, no, I know I'm not supposed to have this next surgery. There's something else down the pike. I don't know what, but there is. I ended up going to Mayo Clinic, and it took me a good two to three months to get in. And the whole time, I'm like, my finger's growing. Oh, my gosh.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, it's so bad. Like, it hurts. What's going on? They're like, well, we're gonna try to get you in. We're gonna try. We're gonna try. And it was this kind of thing. And I'm like, it was meant to be when it did, because when I got there, there was a new trial drug, and that drug was like a chemo shot. It's called Xgeva.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And they would stick it in my belly. So that's how I was able to, like, keep this down for a while.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, okay.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And, yeah, it was amazing. And then after that, so then I started taking that. Then I got side effects. Whereas, like, little bones almost grow in the back of your mouth, like teeth. This was during COVID And so that happened. And they were like, we need to shave it down. But let's see.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I've seen this before, so maybe it'll just go down on its own. It did, but what did that make me do? Not be able to get Xgeva anymore. So my tumor is now growing and growing and growing. And we started doing shots within the finger. So specifically, my doctor's like, let's try it. Just. Just in the finger, so it doesn't affect your whole body. That started working, but it still was.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Got infected. There's some pins that were inside started coming out of my finger. I was in the hospital this December for Christmas. I actually spent Christmas at the hospital. My kids came and visited because it was so infected. My bone was infected. It was growing. And they were like, we need surgery.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So when I. Again, I really trust myself, because there was another doctor's like, we'll amputate your finger if you come back to us. I'm not my finger. I like my finger. I know it's just a finger, but it's my finger, and I, like, I want my finger. So I was like, please, I need to figure this out. I play piano, and I play guitar, and I just. And it's very hard.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Even though it doesn't, like, go great, at least I can have it to, like, hold a cup, like, different things. And you realize how important even a finger is. And that's what I'm grateful for, too. I'm, like, even grateful for my finger. Like, I look at it, I'm like, oh, I just have my finger. And I'm so grateful for my finger, which people take for granted. And I did take for granted before this happened. So that was another thing.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So then I decided I'm gonna wait. And I ended up. So I was very patient, and I think that's something that I learned was it has to happen at the right time. Like, even the price is Right. If I would have waited or it would have been earlier, I wouldn't have won that car. It wouldn't have been my game. So you have to have it at the right time. So even the doctors at Mayo Clinic.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I found a doctor there. He's amazing. And he was like, okay, I will save your finger. And he understood how important it was to me. He's like, you're gonna have two surgeries, though, and you're gonna have to take antibiotics because of and everything. And I'm like, that's okay. I will do it. So he went in and he did a surgery for my finger just recently.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So now we've got the stitches out. There's two pins sticking out the top still. In about four to six weeks, we'll find out if the antibiotics are working for the infection. I'll have another surgery, and then he's gonna put in, like, a plate and, like, some cement, I think, or he might put a cadaver in. We're not sure yet. But because I still have a little bit of the tumor still there. He couldn't get it all. It's still on the nerves.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
It's still on the blood vessels, and it's just not going away. And it's aggressive. It's super aggressive. And it can then metastasize into the lungs. But also my cancer that I have as well can metastasize into the lungs. So it's kind of a catch 22. And right now they say it's benign, so this is not malignant, but it's still very aggressive. So that's what I'm dealing with now.

Jennifer Norman:
My gosh, how is it that you remain so calm in the midst of this? I mean, this is scary stuff. This is. When you say, oh, it can metastasize into my lungs, I just... I'm struck by how happy and, like, are you on something? Like, what is it this morning? What is this, Amie? I don't know. How is it that you are able to be so bright and cheery? It's amazing.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Honestly, I don't know. I have to look at it as there's the reason for everything. And I look back in my life, and I feel that everything was taken care of. There was a time when even my ex had lost his job, and at that point, I said, I'm pregnant. We had no money for the baby, and all of a sudden, we get a check in the mail from his uncle out of the blue. So I feel that everything is always taken care of. Even when I have a penny to my name, something happens. Like, I feel that I'm always protected.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And so I look at it in a different way, and then I reframe it. Like, okay, yeah, it could metastasize, but am I gonna worry and go, oh, my God. Okay, is it going to. What is it happening? Because if I do that, my numbers, Jenn. Go up and go down. Literally. They just doubled recently. And I was like, okay, so I have cancer again.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
It's doubled. It's in my. I knew it because my back was hurting. I knew it had gone up. So I'm like, so, what do we do with this now? Rather than go, okay, I'm dying. It was interesting because on TikTok, I shared this my first moment that it happened in the hospital, and all of a sudden, my followers grew, and they wanted to hear about it. And I was like, whoa. Like, I wasn't doing it for that.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I was really doing it to help people. If they're in pain, go to the doctor. Like, I wanted to. To be educational about it, but it grew and then I realized that everybody's going through something as well, so why do we have to be in that mode? And a lot of people said, you don't have cancer. They're like, no, you don't. And I'm like, I can show you my medical records. Yes, I do. And they're like, why aren't you in bed?

Jennifer Norman:
I can see why some people would be skeptical because it's like, you're so bright and cheery and energetic, and it's not the picture that people have of somebody who's living with this kind of ailment. For sure. You've got beautiful hair...

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
You know, you. I mean, I don't let it define me. And I think that's the biggest thing. Even when I was working with therapy clients with mental illness, I said, do not let that define you. I don't care what that doctor put on your chart. When you let that define you, you become that. So am I going to become. Answer? No.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm going to be the podcast host. I'm going to do everything on my bucket list, on my fun list. I'm going to live my life. I'm going to do these things. I'm going to. I just want to spread that message rather than, yeah, she had cancer and she was in bed and she was just blah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, yeah, what's that going to do for people? Really? What's it going to do for people? And I'll be honest, it's not that I don't have days where I'm in pain. My back goes out. There's days that I'm not feeling good or the numbers spike and I'm like. And I freak out, and I'm like, wait, no, no, no, no. You've had this before. It goes up, it goes down. I just have to keep reframing everything thing.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
That's the biggest key. But that's a mindset thing. It's a really big mindset thing because I'm like, even if there's pain, I'm like, okay, even this was so painful, literally. And I was like, you know what? It's just a finger. It's just pain. It's going to come and it's going to go. It's a blip in my radar, a blip in my life. Am I going to let that take me down and cause me depression, cause me anxiety, cause me all these things? No.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So I literally have to be on it 24 7, literally, to be able to go, it's not happening. Because it's. When I think about it, yeah, it's scary. I mean, honestly, I. I have cancer. I don't know what it's gonna do to my body. It could take me tomorrow. But I hope I've lived my life.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I hope I lived my life. I hope I'd given my kids what they needed. Now they're both adults, 18 and 21. I hope that I've instilled them love. I hope I've done what I could do, and that's where I have to live. I have to live in that and in our moments of connection and of being together. And my son just starred in Oliver in the play, and it was so amazing to see.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
It was just incredible. He did amazing. Those things. Those are the things I want to. To keep, in a way.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. I had interviewed another woman who had stage four cancer, and she was at the end of her rope. She felt, like, just scared, just sad, angry, all of the things. And she said that she was just driving and she was fighting with God at the time, and she said, what do you want me to do, God? What do you want me to do? And she, as clear as day, she took a breath and heard this voice come down that said, "Live your life". And then she paused and she said, okay, all right. And from then on, things changed. And it just reminds me so much of your story, too, that you were able to find it in a different way. But it really is what it's about.

Jennifer Norman:
You said it earlier in the podcast. I'm going to live my life. And that's really what I think any of us can do when we're faced with these periods of calamity, these times of darkness, these things when everything just seems like it's lost hope. It's that, you know what? We can live our lives. We can find joy even in these dark times.

Jennifer Norman:
And just. Yeah, your personality, your attitude... I see so much of Grace in you, it's not even funny. I mean. Ladies and gentlemen - my audience members, you may remember that I had interviewed True Istina, who happens to be Amie's beautiful daughter, Grace. That's her real name. And if she isn't just a spitting image of you in so many ways, just her bright, bubbly personality, her charm, her talents, most likely.

Jennifer Norman:
You know, I just. I see so much resemblance. It's lovely. Many, many compliments to you for raising such a lovely daughter and such a talented daughter, and to you for being such a role model, such an example for your kids on how to battle adversity. So I do want to speak about music for a moment, because music, unto itself, is healing. And I know that's very much part of your story. And you moved to LA pretty much so that your kids could live out their dreams. So tell us about that decision and all of the amazing, fun things it is to be the mom of some bright, young, talented stars, as well as yourself, because I hear that you've got some really exciting things planned in the road ahead of you as well, so please share.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Okay, so basically I, Grace and I were doing, True Istina, We were... It's so weird. I'm like, I'm not sure. She's like, mom, you're confusing people, Grace. And then people are like, who is that? I'm like, no, True Istina. Especially at events. So basically, we got accepted into World Championship of Performing Arts, which was a huge international competition in Hollywood.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And so we sent in a song and we got a scholarship. And this was in the middle of my Mayo Clinic stuff going on. So I'm literally. I'll never forget, I was literally at the Mayo Clinic. I opened my computer to see if we won, and they were gonna announce it. And they announced it. And I was like, yep, okay, we're going.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm in Mayo Clinic. And I'm like, okay, well, that's our next thing. So, like, wow. So that's what I mean. Amazing things just happen when you just let it and believe and. And stop with being in that moment. Because I could have been in that sad moment, been like, I don't really care, whatever, or I can't or anything. I was like, no, we're going.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
We've got the scholarships. We're going. People were also giving us money to help us all of this. So we're like, okay, fantastic. So we go. We perform. She's doing a monologue. She's doing modeling.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Learning from the best. Darian Arnold, who was an LA model, she was actually teaching the kids there, so learning from the best. We were singing duets. We were just everything. And it was so amazing. And so when we got back, she loved the acting and all of that. And she's like, mom, I really like this. And I'm like, okay, well, let me call managers and agents.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And at that point, too, I wasn't scared because, you know, in the Midwest, I don't. Where are you from? You're from here, right?

Jennifer Norman:
I'm actually originally from. Well, I grew up in New York and then I moved out to LA. So...

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Okay.

Jennifer Norman:
Kind of the the city thing. Go ahead. Yeah.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So, like, we know in the Midwest, though, I used to be. Because I'm from Kansas, like, we used to look at magazines and be like, oh, LA. Oh, Hollywood. It was like. It's just like. You don't believe it. It's almost like taboo, or you can't touch it, or those are just those people. You know what I mean? You just think like that, right?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I realized everybody's the same. We just have dreams. We've just accomplished our dreams. We've just worked hard for our dreams. We just love what we do. That's what I found out Hollywood really is. It's not that someone's bigger, better this that. It's just that they worked for it. They've done the work.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
They've. We don't see the story behind the glory. So things like that. So when I went to World Championships, I met people in the industry and they were normal. And I was like, I'm not scared anymore. So at that. So at that point, I was like, all right, Grace, let's do this. Called managers and agents, which really you're not supposed to do.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But I called managers and agents, and I'm like, hey, I've got a daughter. We're in the Midwest. She just did this. She loves acting. They're like, okay, we'll send you some scripts. Sent me scripts and said, no, she's too green, because she didn't have any experience. I'm like, okay, I don't know what that means, but sure. They're like, well, let's get her some Skype coaching.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But the reason that I also did this, because I founded a casting director. It was in St. Louis. At the time. We lived in Illinois.

Jennifer Norman:
Okay.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Now we live in Illinois. So St. Louis. Was the casting director. And right after World Championships, I got her there. She was at a Disney audition, a real Disney audition. She got a call back and she sang for the Disney producers and all this.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I was like, she has no acting experience. She's done no coaching. She done nothing. And that's what made me want to reach out to the agents and managers. That's what kind of put me towards that. Because I'm like, if she's getting callbacks, there's something there. So, wow.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
That's what I did. But when they said she's too green, I took it. I'm like, okay, my daughter's green. I understand. So what do we do? Skype. So we started doing coaching with people from LA. So we got her going. Then we went to Chicago.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
They picked her up in Chicago and said, you know what? I remember going to the office. They're like, she's California. I was like, what? Like, she's California. So they kind of shelved because she was more California. So I was like, okay, well, if it's meant to be, then a manager will reach out to us. If not, it's not meant to be. I was always one of those moms that's like, if you're going to tell me the truth and about my child, because, yes, I'm a proud mom. I think everybody, you know, we're like, oh, our kids are amazing.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yes. But, you know, there's an industry standard. There really is. So I wasn't one of those moms that's like, my child's the best. You have to pick her up. Like, no, I understand what you're saying. And I'm going to work towards what you need, if you need. So anyway, the manager calls us, hey, can you come out tomorrow? And I was like, I'm in Illinois, but we can go next week.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, it was just the crazy. I called my mom, like, hey, mom, we're taking a road trip to California. I was homeschooling my daughter because she was bullied. I was homeschooling my son because he was falling behind. So I already had them homeschooled. So I'm like, let's go. Let's go for, like a month. So we ended up going.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Going to... it's Avalon now, but it was called, oh, my goodness, it's right in Burbank. It's a hotel that, like, all of the kids go to, like, that are like that. They go and they. They have acting classes and all kinds of stuff. And it was amazing. So I was like, let's go. So we went for a month, and she ended up booking an industry professional virtual reality thing. And it was about, like, a tornado event and things like that.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
We had just been through a tornado back in our hometown. So she was really, like, relevant with that. And so. And my mom helped, too. She's like, you know, she's been through a tornado. Like, my mom is just amazing. So she was like, you know, she's doing that. I got American Court with Judge Ross.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So that was crazy because I just. I was just submitting. I was submitting, having fun, submitting, doing things. And they asked me to go in. There were a hundred people, not even kidding, Jennifer with, like, briefcases. And I'm like, so do you act? Oh, yeah, I'm in school for acting. Yeah, I've taken many classes, and I'm like, yeah, well, I didn't. But, okay, here I am. I made it because they wanted authenticity and they wanted real.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And I had my own business, so I could really improvise. So I made it. And when they called, they're like, hey, Amie, you're in this show. And I was like, are you sure it's the right. Amie? Like, I was like, what? So, yeah, so that was so fun. So I'm doing that. She's doing her thing. Everything's going great.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And then I ended up getting in a car accident at one of her fittings. And so, yeah, so our car was totaled. So now we had another month for it to be fixed. So we ended up saying two months. And that's how it. Everything happened. And then another manager, that manager didn't work out, but another manager wanted her, was really good, and so said, hey, you have to come back if you're going to do this. So we go home for the summer, decide we're coming back, and that's just kind of how things just played out.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And then we met for music, a person for music, her music manager. And then we just met just people in the industry. And people thought I was crazy. They really did. They're like, you're crazy. Going out there with your two kids. You don't know anybody. How could you do that? I'm like, if it's meant to be, it's going to happen.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
If not, we'll come back. Like, it's. It's okay.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, it's not that deep, exactly.

Jennifer Norman:
Like it's brave. I mean, it is brave. I think that that's what people are really saying. They're not like, you're crazy. They're like, oh, I wish I had the bravery and the courage to do something like that, because I'm just way too, like, stuck in my smallness. But I think, given what your circumstance was, all that you've been through, I love that it gives you that what do I have to lose? Kind of thing. And if you're not gonna go for it, and that's really. I think the story that you bring to the table, too, is like, I'm just gonna go for it. Like, what do I have to lose?

Jennifer Norman:
Like, why....Why would you not go for it? If this is something that just makes everybody so excited and why don't we just live by leaning into all of this passion, excitement, joy, fun.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yeah, why not live? I think so many times we're just stuck in this box. And we think this is what we have to do or have to be. And it's like, no, like, really live. And when you live in your passion, amazing things can happen out of the blue, right?

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, true.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And it's just like. And stop worrying about the little things. The traffic, the this, the that. Just reframe it where you're grateful. You're driving. You're grateful. Like, I couldn't drive after this surgery, and I just started driving for my son's play recently, and I was like, I'm driving. Like, I was so happy to drive.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, I was just so grateful. I've got my finger. I'm driving. Yes. Like, those things rather than, oh, there's traffic. Oh, it's awful. Now my life's over, my day's over, I'm busy, or I'm late. Well, sometimes there's a reason we're late.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
We don't know what it is, but there could be a reason. You missed an accident, something happened. Always reframing those types of things. I'm not saying be, like, on purpose, whatever, but I'm just saying if things happen, right, like, things like that, there's always things like it. There's a reason. So we look at the bigger picture. We're not stuck in the. The mundane of it, of what's inside of us.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, my gosh. That is so lovely, Amie. That is really brilliant. I really appreciate you sharing your story. And you've got a rom com coming out, so I hear. Is that true?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm so excited. This was on my bucket list forever. I remember watching, like, rom coms. I'm going, I want to be a rom com. I'd be in a rom com. Like, I just. I love the love story. I love the passion.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I love, like, that. Oh, I just love it. So I was like, okay. So when I was offered the opportunity, well, first I was on Loving your Life. That's on YouTube, on A-K-W-I-R-E plus, Akwire plus. So we have seven episodes. It's about my cancer journey, but it's also. It's not scripted, but it's more TV, kind of like a TV show.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So it's basically, we're like, oh, I find out I have cancer, but I've already found out I have cancer answer. So we kind of made it so you kind of can go through my journey in a way of where I'm going. Even manifesting is in there. Like, things like that. So that's called loving your life. So when I was doing that, I had the best time acting like, it was incredible. And so when I was offered this other opportunity to be in a rom com, I was like, let me try. I'm gonna do my hardest.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Like, I've never been in, like, anything like this. And I'm like, okay, I got this, I got this. So I worked on my script 24:7. I was working on, I mean, everything. We had close sponsors. We had people that were doing hair, makeup. Like, it was phenomenal. And the cast was downright amazing.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
They're like real actors, like actors that have acted within the industry for a very long time. And so they're great at improvising and doing their thing. But I learned so much and I had so much fun and my co star was amazing. You're going to see us on camera, on screen. But it was like we, it just connected. We all connected so well. And the director, Keyshawn Blackstone, was phenomenal. Like, he knew what he wanted. He knew, like, he had it and to be. And also the script was so well written and just fun.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And it's just a fun rom com. It's a holiday film and it's called Jack in the Box and it'll be out probably November, December we're looking at. So it's really a just a fun rom com. And we're looking at even going to part two, because there should be a part two, because you'll see the end. So we're looking into that as well.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So I'm excited. And now I love, love, love acting. I really do. So it's just...

Jennifer Norman:
There you go.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
So fun.

Jennifer Norman:
Man, that is so exciting. And just you are popping off with all of this, you know, great energy. I really, really love you so much. Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much, Amie. I. At the end of my show, I always ask my guests the same three common questions, and these are questions that help to really keep us together, really the things that kind of bind us. Our beauty, our humanity, and the truths that we live by.

Jennifer Norman:
So my first question to you is, what makes you beautiful?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
What makes me beautiful? I think just that I'm living. Just that I'm here. Like, honestly, I, I think at a time I wouldn't have said that I'd be like, oh, my hair, my eyes, my this, my that.

Jennifer Norman:
Exactly.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
But those things just come and go. So even a finger, possibly, you know, I mean, so honestly, it's living. It's literally living and walking in this world that makes me beautiful.

Jennifer Norman:
Living is beautiful. I love that. What do you think it means to be Human?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
What does it mean to be human? Walking in your truth, your authenticity. Being real, not being fake, doing what you love to do, and really stepping into your own power. Because we all have that. We're just having this fear, and fear. With fear, you can't have faith. So stepping into your faith instead of your fear, your fear will stop you. But so go to the faith aspect and then move forward in that.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
And once you do that, you're in it and you're going through life and living authentically. And I think that's the most important thing. And a lot of people are scared to do that, but do it, and you'll see the blessings and everything will start coming to you and all of that. And I want to say. Too quick, taking a moment, which really is not the question you ask, but I want to say this, like, taking a moment to, like, really be still. Be still. I was stuck for two weeks with this, and I was at home, and it was like, oh, I need to do something. Like, I want to even just clean up.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I want to do. I couldn't do anything. And I was like, this is so hard. And I realized it's literally being still in that moment because that's when the breakthroughs can happen. That's when you really find out what your power and your purpose is. So. Oh, yeah. So that's what I believe it is to be human.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
Yes.

Jennifer Norman:
Gorgeous. Gorgeous. And my last question is, what is one truth that you live by?

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
My truth is really just being me. Like, being me. You're going to see me in the grocery store singing. You're going to see me in the car singing. You're going to see me who I am, when I am. You're going to see the raw, the real, the vulnerable. You're going to see the me, and. And that's what I believe.

Amie Jelich Yaniak:
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it or I'm not gonna put the mask on. And I just believe in really just stepping into me.

Jennifer Norman:
Wow. And you are. You can just tell that you just have your fullest expression of yourself out there. And that is beautiful. That is you. That is human. It is truth. I love it all.

Jennifer Norman:
I want to thank you so, so much for being my guest. And to everybody listening, I really think that, hope you've gleaned some really interesting inspiration here about that power in the pause and the stillness, about reframing adversities so that you can find the gratitude and the joy and the beauty of just being alive, of being able to take that breath of being able to live your life to the fullest. Amie, thank you so much for your courage, your honesty, for showing us what it looks like to truly love your life from inside out. So for everybody, if you liked this show, please don't forget to subscribe. Please leave a comment at the bottom of this episode. It really helps us to grow our podcast. Please share it with somebody that you know who might need a little bit of light today.

Jennifer Norman:
Thank you everybody for joining me today. I'm Jennifer Norman and this is the Human Beauty Movement. I'll see you in the next episode.

Jennifer Norman:
Thank you for listening to The Human Beauty Beauty Movement Podcast. Be sure to follow, rate and review us wherever you stream podcasts. The Human Beauty Movement is a community based platform that cultivates the beauty of humankind. Check out our workshops, find us on social media and share our inspiration with all the beautiful humans in your life. Learn more at thehumanbeautymovement.com. Thank you so much for being a beautiful human.