Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Byrd.
Hi Tanya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story actually began before the COVID pandemic. I’m a first-year breast cancer survivor. While going through my treatment journey in 2021 (a lumpectomy with reconstruction of both breast, followed by 4 rounds of chemo and 6 rounds of radiation treatments), I rediscovered myself and concluded God had been preparing me for the fight of my life well in advance of it happening. I lost all of my hair, developed scars that remind me daily of where I’ve come from. I call them my “battle scars”. I believe that when you survive a traumatic experience, it makes you so much stronger in your faith. As a result, God answered my prayers by giving me a 2nd chance at life. I’m now a breast cancer advocate that helps and supports other women by being a spiritual lifeline, resource for information and tools that helped me conquer the disease. It’s my mission daily to help someone even if they never experienced a health trauma. I believe that every day when I awake and step outside my door, God has something or someone waiting on me to be a blessing to.
I’ve also shared my story via an anthology I wrote this year – an Amazon #1 Best Seller within the first 24 hours of release in May (3 categories). My story is about conquering a traumatic experience and essentially I turned my pain into a passion and purpose for others. Through my journey, I rediscovered a new Tanya, hence the title of my book, “Survivorship. Rediscovering Yourself Through Survivorship”. My story has led me to meet other phenomenal survivors through a Facebook community I communicate with daily called Survivorship. For being obedient, I’ve been rewarded. For example, during breast cancer awareness month October 2 of this year the Atlanta Falcons selected me as the honorary Captain during the coin toss against the Cleveland Browns. That moment let me know I’m on the right path.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road for me has been a bit bumpy. Most journeys are that way. It’s teachable moments that get you to a place where you have an appreciation for your hard work and efforts. Looking back over my journey from the start conquering breast cancer, becoming an author, and starting a business/brand, the challenge for me has been adjusting to Tanya’s “new norm”. Quite honestly, it’s been an adjustment and a new norm for my immediate family as well. Physically I have a few adjustments to make as it relates to my strength. That’s a result of the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments I endured. However, that which does not defeat me can only make me stronger. I’m stronger mentally, spiritually and continuing daily to work on the physically. It’s all about your state of mind and turning the negatives into a positive. By faith I look at obstacles as a steppingstone of defeat. I’m rebuilding Tanya one day at a time.
Part of my story is letting others know that no matter what you’re going through, keep pushing. If I can get through what the enemy threw at me as it relates to a health trauma, start a business and brand successfully- all within 5 months of hard work, anything is possible. I strongly believe we’re all born equipped with greatness, strength, and courage to name a few attributes. From that comes the wisdom we gain to face what’s ahead of us next.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a “BEAUTIFUL SURVIVOR”. My brand is just that. I have such an affection for butterflies because they represent transformation and that is the most identifiable part of my brand. What sets me apart from other survivors with a similar story is that I want other survivors to know the beauty that comes from their story. Not only am I a survivor of breast cancer, but my husband and I both dealt with cancer last summer at the same time. We had just become newlyweds when I received the news of Stage 2 breast cancer and soon after he was diagnosed with renal carcinoma. We had major financial setbacks, as business owners we suffered financial loss and traumatic health challenges simultaneously. It tested our faith, marriage and impacted our immediate families. However, we conquered those challenges together.
The purpose behind my brand “Beautiful Survivor” is to primarily be an inspiration for other breast cancer survivors and warriors. We are a supportive network connecting women by providing a sisterhood, spriritual lifeline, and hope to breast cancer survivors. I am the CEO and Founder of the brand. I felt it was needed so I’m able to share the resources and information I gained during my journey. I’m a breast cancer advocate. I’ve had the opportunity to share my journey with so many women and be of an encouragement. While going through my treatment journey in 2021, I rediscovered myself and concluded God had been preparing me for the fight of my life well in advance of it happening. I also believe that had I not been obdient and followed His vision for me, I would not be on this path today which has afforded me so many awesome opportunities. Think about the beauty in a traumatic story. My belief is that there’s beauty in a survivorship testimony and it can be cathartic for some too.
As the visionary author of an Amazon #1 Best Selling book and a devoted advocate for “rediscovering yourself through survivorship”, my desire is to continue God’s mission for me to share my testimony by giving back to the breast cancer community. If it wasn’t for the many women that had gone down my path before me, I don’t know if I would have made it through as strong and encouraged as I was. They shared their knowledge, wisdom, tips, and prayers. It’s my passion and purpose every day to give back what was given to me – hope and faith.
I’m most proud of several accomplishments. First, a mannequin tree that travels with me to vendor events. It was created by a classmate and is adorned with butterflies – one of my favorites as they represent transformation. It envelops the beauty of breast cancer survivors and warriors with their names placed on tags attached to the tree. Second, becoming a first-time author this year, building a brand and the founder of a private Facebook community called Survivorship “Where Every Story Is Heard” which currently has over 100 members. I’ve been interviewed on podcasts and other social media platforms. I’m featured in Jaestrete Magazine October/November 2022 issue, guest on “Nona-Kerry & Friends” HipHop Network, guest on “Misfits Radio/Misfits Media”. Lastly, I was selected by the Atlanta Falcons to be an honorary Captain during the coin toss in October 2022 during breast cancer awareness month to name a few. But most of all, I’m most proud of the lives I’ve touched and inspired, the many women I’ve helped and turning my journey into a lifelong legacy. I have merchandise that I sell for both my brand BEAUTIFUL SURVIVOR and the Survivorship community. I also collaborated with a Fedora hat desinger. The Fedora hat is part of my brand.
What’s next?
My plans for the future – to continue adding on to my brand with tools that will inspire and assist others in their journey. I’m always seeking vendor and speaking opportunities to discuss topics on: 5 Keys to Equip You for Survivorship, Beauty Is In the Eye of Who? and Rediscovering Yourself Through Survivorship. I plan on traveling with my message to women on the importance of Self-care. In the new year 2023, I’m looking forward to collaborating with like-minded businesses so that together we may uplift and inspire one another. I see the future of my brand becoming a household name with a reputation to help others through scholarships, funding to meet the needs of women struggling to live through their journey fighting breast cancer, education, a spiritual lifeline and the face of what turning your pain into a purpose look like. I’m looking forward to expanding my merchandise line also.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @abeautifulsurvivor
- Facebook: Beautiful Survivor & urabeautifulsurvivor@gmail.com
Image Credits
Atlanta Falcons @visualsByKobe
