First week, everything fell off. Workouts gone, focus gone, discipline gone. So I asked him kinda straight up, “Are your standards real, or are they just convenient?” And squad, you always know that I always say goals are nothing but byproducts of your standards, right? And that [00:02:00] hit him hard. Next week, he didn’t try to be perfect.

He just went back to his non-negotiables. Short workout, tight morning routine, one focused block of work. Nothing sexy, but that’s where it flipped, because high performers don’t wait for life to get easier. They get tighter. They simplify. They execute. They control what they can control. And here’s the truth: you don’t need to feel strong to act strong.

Action creates clarity. And talk about action and clarity, let’s buckle up for this awesome sauce interview that I’m about to do with my really good friend here that was actually referred to me by Noami, who is overseas, but she always feeding awesome guests. And my good friend Deb Courier is not just a business leader.

She’s a warrior who stared adversity dead in the face and said, “Not today.” She’s an entrepreneur, cancer advocate, and the powerhouse behind TryingNotToDie.live. And trust me, that name alone should tell you something. This is a woman who didn’t just face stage four breast cancer, she faced multiple diagnosises, and instead of retreating, she leaned in and built a mission around it.

Over 20 years [00:03:00] in communications and branding, working with high-level professionals, now she’s taken all that strategic firepower and fused it with something way deeper, real, lived resilience. She’s now a certified integrative cancer coach helping high-performing entrepreneurs, executive and leaders stay sharp and focused and stay in the fight while going through treatment and recovery.

Because let’s be real, when life hits you like that, most people crumble. Deb helps people lead the way, perform anyway, show up anyway, and keep their standards high. And she’s not doing it from theory, she’s doing it from the front lines. She’s built a community, a movement, and a platform that’s giving people not just hope, but tools, structure, and support to keep going and quitting when quitting would be easier.

This conversation right here, it’s about mindset under pressure. It’s about identity when everything gets stripped away, and it’s about choosing to live when life throws you the hardest punch. So Deb, thank you so much for coming on. Please introduce yourself to Time To Shine Today podcast varsity squad.

But first, what’s your favorite color and why? 

Deb Krier: Holy schmoly, I’m, I am buckled up. We are [00:04:00] ready. You can probably tell from, those who are watching, blue. 

Coach Fergie: Love 

Deb Krier: it. I love blue. 

Coach Fergie: Yes … 

Deb Krier: and it’s just, it matches my eyes. 

Coach Fergie: Matches your… You’re a gorgeous lady, and it’s in your color wheel, right?

So- 

Deb Krier: Yep, that’s it … 

Coach Fergie: but let me ask you something. To to start off, if we dropped you into a completely stress-free day- … no responsibilities, no emails, no expectations- … what are you doing, where are you, and who’s with you? 

Deb Krier: So my dogs, my cats- Right on … and of course my husband. You gotta bring him along.

You gotta have the husband in there, right? I like travel. I absolutely- Oh, nice … like travel, going on road trips, seeing stuff, learning history just driving. 

Coach Fergie: 10 hours to Palm Beach, love. Yeah. You gotta get down here. Bring him down. 

Deb Krier: I know. You might not bring the dogs or the cats.

I’ll 

Coach Fergie: bring 

Deb Krier: them. The cats don’t like to travel. 

Coach Fergie: Bring them. I got them. Yeah, leave the cats, but like- Yeah … I got a pit bull that plays with every dog at Dog Beach here in Juno every day. He’s 11 years old, 

Deb Krier: but- Oh, we have a new puppy. Yeah. Actually, he’s seven months old, but- Nice

oh, my he [00:05:00] would think that’s the greatest thing in the 

Coach Fergie: world. Yeah. So let’s get to your roots. Let’s hear the story- … because I’m very intrigued. Noemi again, Noemi Bears, love your Gods lady. Thank you so much for providing- … another awesome sauce, you know interviewee here. But let’s get to the roots.

Let’s hear the story and, and- … ’cause I know it’s all gonna end on a happy note or a- … on a leveled up note. But I do wanna kinda get down to where it got a little dark for you, Deb. 

Deb Krier: I am a Colorado native. And way back, I don’t even know if I have this on my LinkedIn profile because it’s so far back, I worked for an oncologist.

Coach Fergie: Okay. 

Deb Krier: And I worked for the American Cancer Society. Oh. So I always told people, I knew just enough to be dangerous. We were going, we were- … yeah I knew what those- True … words meant. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. 

Deb Krier: And we were having a good time living in Atlanta. My husband’s company had moved us down here from Colorado.

And my business was doing well. I was having a great time, and I went in for my annual checkup. You and I were talking about that before the show. Yeah. We are good kids. We go, [00:06:00] we do those things. Yes. And I had my mammogram, and I hadn’t even made it home when they called and said, “Hey, you need to come back.”

Coach Fergie: Ooh. 

Deb Krier: Now, this is before AI. This is a little over 10 and a half years ago. And but what happened was the computer did see an issue. And what it found were micro calcifications. And I was like, “I don’t know what that means.” And so I did what I tell people, eh, avoid. I asked Dr.

Google, you know- Of course … what is that? 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And was not all that worried because it said, and this was entertaining, that all women of a certain age- I’m now living south We’ll have the calcification of it, right? Yes. Yeah. Yes. As the hormones change in your body, you get these things.

And they’re itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny. Like I said, the computer saw them. The, the naked eye could not see them unless they were magnified. And so went for, sever- And, but it said, yeah, all women get them, and so obviously the vast majority of the time, they’re not a problem.

Mine had started to gather. Oh. They were [00:07:00] having a party. And just happened to be, in an area that was considered breast cancer. So because, I, I think they really can gather anywhere, but had some more tests and what they said was, “Okay, it’s stage zero breast cancer.”

Coach Fergie: Okay. 

Deb Krier: Which really just means we’re just gonna watch it. Had a couple really fun biopsies with really big needles. Oof … those came back as no problem. And then we decided, after several months, I didn’t even get an oncologist. After several months we decided let’s go ahead and pull lymph nodes on that side.

And one of the things that, that, it, it is always perplexing to me or amazing or whatever is everybody has a different number of lymph nodes. It’s just one of those things, and your biggest lymph node is your spleen. Wow … and but- That 

Coach Fergie: makes sense- Yeah … ’cause mono hits and it’s like- Yeah

yeah, okay, gotcha. 

Deb Krier: Yeah. Oh, yeah. Sorry to interrupt. And so lymph nodes- No, makes sense, yeah … yeah they filter the oogies out of your body. Sure. Is basically, what it does. Which is why they feel your throat. If you’ve got a sore throat. Yeah. Because they’re feeling if the lymph nodes are swollen.

Yes. If the lymph nodes are [00:08:00] swollen, they’re going, “Ah danger!” And they’re working on the infection. So they pulled lymph nodes, and eight of 12 lymph nodes were positive for true cancer. 

Coach Fergie: Oh, geez. Wow. 

Deb Krier: So I went from stage zero to stage three. 

Coach Fergie: Like right 

Deb Krier: there. Kapoof, right there.

So then I did get an oncologist. Who I absolutely adore. And so we decided I was gonna do the traditional approach. I’m that generation, but that is me. I was gonna do traditional. So I was gonna do chemo, surgery, radiation. So the first chemo that I had was eight different drugs, decided to throw the book at it because these little floaty things were, you know- Sure

throughout my body. And three days later, I was near death. I had, I developed septic shock. And it was, due to the chemotherapy, and the doctors were actually arguing over how fast I was going to die that day. The- That day? The s- yeah, that day. The surgeon said he would not operate because I would be dead by night.

Coach Fergie: Wow. 

Deb Krier: And [00:09:00] my oncologist was this cute little, it was the one who just happened to be on call, but she’s this cute little blonde thing, and she got up in his face- … and said, “You will do this.” And I remember thinking, “Y’all, I can hear you guys.” 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And so obviously he did the surgery.

But it y- I spiraled. I was in the hospital in and out of lots of surgeries. Septic shock about 75% of the time is fatal. And- Yes … so lots of surgeries, lots of time in the hospital, lots of really fun stuff, right? But obviously got out. Kinda, w- got my s- my little track going again, but thought, “Ooh, can’t do that again.

No more- Right … chemo.” We actually did try another round of a totally different drug. Same thing happened, but I knew early enough, “Hello danger.” And so that time I only spent seven days in the hospital. – So 

Coach Fergie: it was turning you septic, though? Is that 

Deb Krier: what they were both doing? Yeah, it was turning me septic.

Yeah. Yeah. 

And so yeah, so I, was in and out of the hospital a lot. They’d- I’d appear and they’d go, “Oh my God, she’s back.” And but I did d- I had [00:10:00] decided to have a double mastectomy. Yeah. Just wasn’t gonna mess with it. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And let’s just, get e- everything done.

Cut ’em 

Coach Fergie: off. 

Deb Krier: Yeah. I’m old. I was like, “Whatever.” And and I developed a complication from that, that my surgeon had never seen. If you haven’t figured out, I’m special, right? 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. Yeah, the- … it’s the Murphy’s Law with you. 

Deb Krier: I know. So back into the hospital I went and recovered from that.

It really was, it was not anything all that serious. But the doctor was like, “Really?” And I’m like, “Have you not met me?” Sailed through radiation. This l- redheaded freckly kid had no problems with burning or anything that a lot of people get with radiation. But then, righted the ship, y- and kept going.

It- it’s been, oh gosh, about six years ago I was in the doctor and this was just my primary care doc, and I said, “Yeah, I got this thing on my arm.” And from there I went to the dermatologist- 

Coach Fergie: Sure … 

Deb Krier: where they diagnosed basal cell carcinoma. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: Which to me, I always think that sounds the worst.

… But [00:11:00] it, nah, that’s skin cancer, and I am a redheaded freckly kid that grew up at over 8,000 feet with no sunscreen, right? 

Coach Fergie: Yes. 

Deb Krier: Along the way they did change my breast cancer diagnosis to stage four which is not considered curable. But it’s, I have, I hit my 10-year mark. Which, woo-hoo, party time, right? 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And because that’s, it can always still come back, but- Sure … and then it’s been about three years ago we were doing a test for breast cancer, just, one of my yearly tests, and they said there’s nothing there, but…” And when the oncologist calls you- Yeah

it’s never a good sign. It’s never “

Coach Fergie: How you doing?” 

Deb Krier: It’s always yeah. And they said, there’s a problem with your thyroid.” Turns out I had two separate tumors. They were on either side. Your thyroid goes around your vocal cords excuse me, and- So it did turn out to be thyroid cancer.

S- totally separate. Sure. It is a totally… So I’ve had three brand spanking new cancers that are not related to each other- … because special child here. So they removed my thyroid, and the only, I do have [00:12:00] to take a pill, ’cause your thyroid does something for your body. Yeah. It’s like a T3 pill- So I have to take medication every day

or something like 

Coach Fergie: that. Yep. Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And I get hoarse because they did manage to damage my vocal cords a little bit. And when I told my surgeon, who I believe has done six surgeries I, I’d walk on fire for him. I mean- Sure … I absolutely love him. I said, “Hey, I got this problem.”

And he looked at me, and he said you just talk too much.” I was like, “Gee, thanks.” Yep. But yeah. It was, a little bumpy road, shall we 

Coach Fergie: say. Yeah. When you are taking on these high performers, right? They’re, they get that scary ass call. Right?

Deb Krier: So- … 

Coach Fergie: when someone’s going through it, what are the- … lies that you feel they tell themselves- … that ablu- absolutely- … crushes- … their performance and identity? I know it’s tough. Yeah. I had the scarer. You went through it. Yeah.

But what do you think that they’re really, people are telling themselves from the start- … that when they come to you- … for not counseling- … but for the help and the empathy- … and you setting them up on a level up schedule. What do you feel they are?

Deb Krier: I think the first thing, and this is what virtually everybody goes through, [00:13:00] is nope, not true. It’s really something else that’s wrong It’s the denial about 

Coach Fergie: it, right? 

Deb Krier: Yeah. Then when we get past the denial stage, the first thing that they really think is, “How am I still going to function as a business owner, a business leader, all of those things, and do whatever it is- Yes

that I’m gonna have to go through?” So they really do think, “I can’t tell anyone,” and, Yeah … they- Yep, I get it … because p- yeah, people are gonna say Scott you really can’t do your job.” We’re gonna take our business elsewhere. We’re gonna, go work for somebody else,” all those things.

And, and for people, whatever they’re doing, sometimes work is our best thing that we’re doing. Yeah. We’re keeping our minds occupied. Yes. It’s giving us- Yes … something to do. Obviously, in many cases you need that insurance. Sure. But yeah. And so they think we can’t tell anybody- Right

that we’re going through this.” And and I literally told my doctor I didn’t have time for it, and she- … looked at me and shook her head. But, and I think that’s the other lie that we [00:14:00] tell ourself is, “This will be easy,” because the vast majority of time it’s rough when people are diagnosed with cancer, but, you get through it and you go merrily along.

And so I think we all think, “Nah, this is not gonna be a big deal at all.” I had that first big massive dose of chemo on October 30th. On October 31st, I was handing out treats to kids for Halloween. Because yeah, pfft, it wasn’t gonna bother me. Sure. And two days later I was, circling the drain.

Coach Fergie: Yeah. It, that’s… And again, I’ve, haven’t lived that, but I’ve took care of that. Meaning like- … with my mother- … stuff like that. And and I can see the, especially the high performers saying, “I ain’t got time for this.” It, but it’s actually okay to be scared.

Yes. That’s the way that I feel. It’s okay- … to build in a, a team around you. I like to call a varsity squad. Which you would be a part of that. I’d call it a 

Deb Krier: tribe- Tribe … ’cause 

Coach Fergie: I’m a 

Deb Krier: warrior. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah, your vibe- … attracts your tribe, right?

With that. Some people that might be listening right now, they might not be going through something that heavy, right? Maybe [00:15:00] not cancer. But there’s a pressure in their life that’s breaking them. Okay? So what’s the first move that you’d tell them to make- so they stop circling the drain or spiraling and start executing again? 

Deb Krier: Laugh. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: I think 

Coach Fergie: humor- Unpack that one. Keep going. Yes. 

Deb Krier: Humor is what’s going to get us through that, and there are scientific studies that show that laughter, as we’ve heard, laughter is the best medicine.

But, it really, there are medical reasons why laughter is good for us. The serotonin levels change in your body. It actually reduces your blood pressure, all sorts of things. And yeah, laugh. Find… And now maybe you’re laughing at the situation, maybe you’re watching your favorite sitcom, you’re playing with your kids, your dogs- Sure

whatever it is, but find a way to laugh. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. 

Deb Krier: And I remember, I’m of the generation where I grew up watching MASH, the television program, right? Oh, 

Coach Fergie: I love MASH, yeah. 

Deb Krier: And, one of the times, I think they were, doing a documentary in the show, right? [00:16:00] So they, and one, and the r- the reporter said, “Why do you guys laugh all the time?”

And Hawkeye looks at him and says, “Because if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry.” 

Coach Fergie: Yes. Oh my gosh. 100% true. Especially in a situation like that. It’s 100%. Yes. 

Deb Krier: Yeah. And I love to make my medical team laugh. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. 

Deb Krier: Because they’ve got really hard jobs, right?

They’re dealing with people who are dying. And so I love to make my team laugh. I actually am still in treatment. I go in every 21 days. 

Coach Fergie: Okay. 

Deb Krier: Been doing this for 10 and a half years. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: And so I try and make them laugh, they do the SCO- Yeah … or, “Please tell us your name and date of birth.”

Now, if it’s a new person, I don’t do this ’cause I don’t freak them- … I don’t wanna freak ’em out. But I look at them and I smile and I say, “Anastasia Beaverhausen.” And so they have decided in the treatment room that I am Princess Anastasia Beaverhausen. I like it. And so one must do the queen wave, right?

Coach Fergie: I love that. That’s awesome. You give them light because I mean- … again, these [00:17:00] first responders- … medical people- … you’re they’re basically in your life on the worst day of your life. So I love that if a police shows up at your house, it’s a bad day.

Firefighters at your house, bad day. I know. You go to an oncologist, it’s a bad day for you. But to make them laugh- Yeah … is just- 

Deb Krier: yeah … 

Coach Fergie: it breaks it up more. You know what I’m saying? Which is- Yeah. 

Deb Krier: I was … This, I’m like this all the time. It’s just this me.

I 

Coach Fergie: can tell. You were like this off-camera. Or off-mic. 

Deb Krier: Yeah. Yeah. And when I hit that first big speed bump we did, they did, my husband did have to call an ambulance. And even though we’re five minutes from the hospital, he knew, “Oh, my God, I gotta, she’s gotta get there faster than that.”

Coach Fergie: You gotta go. 

Deb Krier: And I’m on the second story in the bedroom, and the f- the firemen came first, right? When you call they come first. And they’ve got this really cool little tractor thingy- … that you sit on and it goes boogity down the stairs. Down the 

Coach Fergie: stairs.

Deb Krier: And so I’m like, “Wee!” I’m in incredible pain. Pain, yeah. That was how we knew something was wrong. 

Coach Fergie: I could even see you saying, “Hey, y- you know what? Are you in the calendar?” I- “Let’s take the shirt off.” Yeah. 

Deb Krier: Just having fun with it. I know. I’m like yeah.”

And and I’m [00:18:00] joking and I’m laughing with the, the ambulance folks, and it was funny because, they’re carting me off to the hospital, and we stop. And I’m like, “Excuse me. Why are we stopping?” And he’s, or I said, “Why aren’t we going lights and sirens?” And he said there’s a stoplight.”

And I said, “Ugh, we’ve stopped? How rude.” And that is unfortunately the last thing I remember for hours- Wow … because that was when the bottom really fell out. Fell 

Coach Fergie: out of 

Deb Krier: you. But I was making him laugh, “ah,” and then floom, 

Coach Fergie: right? 

Deb Krier: Yeah, 

Coach Fergie: which there’s something about like people like yourself, and I have a lot of that as well, that it’s like I, my mentor told me when I was young, “Don’t take life too s- seriously.”

“We’re not making it out alive.” So it’s like it’s- … it’s gonna, each one’s just gonna come our day, and I’d rather- … go out laughing. And be honest with you with that. So speaking of that, you built tryingnottodie.live- … out of one of the hardest battles of management that we just talked about.

What’s the uncomfortable truth- … about resilience that most people don’t want to hear but need to hear it right now? 

Deb Krier: The, the name [00:19:00] comes from the fact that we get so caught up in trying to not die that we forget that we have to live. 

Coach Fergie: Yep. 

Deb Krier: And I think, we’re

It’s hard. You mentioned, that I’m like this all the time. Actually, I’m not. Now, I am- … when I’m on camera, right? Sure. There’s, there is this and 90% of the time I am. The 10% I’m not, I’m, curled up in, in the fetal position. My husband knows and and there are just crappy days.

Yeah. I have chronic pain. I have several other- Yeah … chronic things, and so I am whiny and bitchy on occasion. Yeah. And I think the hard part about resilience is you can still get through it. Sure. You c- a- and, but it’s okay to have a pity party. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. 

Deb Krier: That, I, that I think is part of being resilient, is giving yourself the grace to feel bad and whiny.

Just don’t get stuck there. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. Yeah, yes. It’s so f- I’m reading, rereading for the third time The Obstacle Is the Way. By Ryan Holiday, [00:20:00] and it, and he the one part that really stands out to me is when you’re in a situation- … lean into it. Cry. Yell.

Scream. Yeah. That’s, get this stuff out- … because that’s part of the human. Then we, what it’ll actually do is circle you back- back … to rationality- … to be able to really problem solve. So thank you for putting that out. You hear that, squad? It’s okay to have a pity party.

Give yourself that grace and space to bitch, complain. Get it out there, ’cause it, especially if you’re not a person that does that, people are gonna wanna help you more- … ’cause they’re like, “This ain’t like you.” 

Deb Krier: Yeah. Yikes. 

Coach Fergie: So- … yeah, so they’re gonna be leaning into it.

So I have to ask you, so have you seen the movie Back to the Future? Okay, let’s get in that DeLorean with Marty McFly. Okay. Let’s go back. There you go. Let’s get in there. Let’s go back to the double deuce, the 22-year-old Deb. Okay? What kind of knowledge nuggets, or wisdom might you drop on her?

Not to change anything. I’m sure there’s- … a few things you’d change health-wise- … but not to change anything- … but help her shorten her learning curve through life. [00:21:00] 

Deb Krier: I think I would say, “Please don’t take life so seriously.” 

Coach Fergie: Yep, 

Deb Krier: that’s what I said. It does get better. Yes. I was a grumpy, cranky kid.

Coach Fergie: Ooh. 

Deb Krier: I took stuff really serious, and, yeah, it’s okay. So what? I- I’m a mentor for a college student. Ooh. And and I told her, I said, unless somebody dies, you can fix whatever it 

Coach Fergie: is.” Yes. Thank you. Yep, 100%. I- it’s… ‘Cause there’s, you want bad days.

There’s other places on this earth that have- … bad days. And you see those people laughing through them. So if they can do that- … how, there’s- … I’m not gonna say it’s easy, but- … there’s you put yourself out in the right vibe- … the right tribe- things can be worked out and worked through. 

Deb Krier: So- … 

Coach Fergie: and again, I hope this is way down the line for you, but how does Deb want her dash remembered? That little line in between your incarnation date and your expiration date. Like, how does Deb want it remembered? 

Deb Krier: She never gave up.

Coach Fergie: Okay. 

Deb Krier: And I tell people, “I don’t want my [00:22:00] headstone to say, ‘I wish I would have.'” 

Coach Fergie: Ooh. 

Deb Krier: Don’t have a bucket list. Do it. Yeah. Now, you might have to save and plan and do some things like that. Sure. But don’t say, “In 10 years, in 20 years.” Yeah. No. No. Because you don’t know- Thank 

Coach Fergie: you. 

Deb Krier: Yes

if you’re gonna have 10, 20 years. You were in the military. Thank you so much for your service. 

Coach Fergie: Thanks. Appreciate it. 

Deb Krier: Yeah. But you know that things can change on a dime. That’s it. Yeah. And, God bless you because you went through what you went with your brother. You don’t know.

So please don’t put stuff off. 

Coach Fergie: No I love that “get busy living,” like Matthew McConaughey would say. L-I-V-I-N, right? It’s like you’re busy living. So what is then Deb’s definition or her feeling of a, of life well-lived? 

Deb Krier: You did everything you could. One of the things that, that I really have started doing a lot of, especially, when you almost die three times- Yeah

my husband was told three times she’s not gonna make it.” I tell people how much I appreciate them. I really try and say thank you. Thank you, 

Coach Fergie: yes. 

Deb Krier: I flew over the [00:23:00] weekend, ew, and luckily in Hartsfield-Jackson I didn’t have any trouble. But now the wait line’s five hours. But I, every TSA person I found, even if they were not doing anything for me, I told them thank you.

Coach Fergie: That’s awesome. 

Deb Krier: Yes. Tell people thank you, be appreciative, be grateful. And for those, tell people you love them. Yes. And it’s not just, “Hey, dude, love you, man.” 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. 

Deb Krier: It’s, “You know what? I love you. Thank you.” 

Coach Fergie: Yeah I’m the guy that says, “Love your guts.” That’s my thing, and I- I say it to everybody, and there’s- … a genuineality. I’m not in love with you, but I do, I- yeah … I 

Deb Krier: love- There is, yeah. Yeah. There’s, 

Coach Fergie: yes. Loving is, i- is the loss. I’m not gonna say it’s an art, because it’s, it should be part of our- … fabric, and sometimes- … it gets programmed out of us.

So- … time to Shine Today podcast. Firstly, squad, we are back, and Miss Deb. So I’m definitely, next time I’m in Atlanta, gonna look you up, and we’re gonna like- Yes, you 

Deb Krier: better.

Coach Fergie: … Maybe meet maybe for a steak dinner or something. Ah. I’ll bring my Susan, bring the hubby in. We’ll- … go out in the Marietta there or something. We can 

Deb Krier: have 

Coach Fergie: an adult beverage. [00:24:00] Yes, or two. Absolutely. So and we’re sure we might ask each other some of these questions- … and maybe spend 10, 15, 20 minutes on it.

But today, you got five seconds with no explanations, and I promise you they can all be asked, answered that way, okay? All right, here we go. So Deb, what is the best leveling up advice you’ve ever received? Just do it. Love it. Share one of your personal habits that contributes to your success. Just doing it?

Deb Krier: Daily naps. Oh, there. There, yeah, sabbaticals are actually important. Your favorite I’m still standing song when you need an instant mind reset. Oh, gosh. The Dance- 

Coach Fergie: Oh … by Garth Brooks. Garth. Love it. Love, love you. I love you for saying that. It’s awesome. So if you see me walking down the street, or I’m at an event, or we’re just hanging out, and you, “Man, Fergie looks like he’s in his doldrums,” what book might you hand me that maybe flip that mental switch in you to move forward?

Do you ever read anything that just turned you on? 

Deb Krier: I read a lot for my podcast. I’m not sure. 

Coach Fergie: Mine would be, like, [00:25:00] Bob Burg’s The Go-Giver or- Oh, yes … or 

Deb Krier: m- Love 

Coach Fergie: Bob Burg … or Andy. He’s my neighbor, so I always- … throw him shout-outs. But- 

Deb Krier: Yeah, I think I’d stick with that.

Yeah. I would do Bob Burg and, any of his books. Yeah. They’re all great. 

Coach Fergie: And Andy Andrews’ Traveler’s Gift is a great one too. If you haven’t read it, squad, get out there and read it. 

Deb Krier: Know Your Why. 

Coach Fergie: Yes. Your most commonly used emoji, if any, when you text.

Deb Krier: Happy face- 

Coach Fergie: I can see it … 

Deb Krier: or heart. 

Coach Fergie: I love it. Nicknames growing up? 

Deb Krier: Oh gosh. Go for it, Deb 

Coach Fergie: Love it. We we won’t di- dive on that one. I’m kidding. Any hidden talent and/or superpower that nobody knows about until now? 

Deb Krier: I used to sing- Okay … but I can’t now. They- Understood … when they damaged my vocal cords, I can’t sing.

Coach Fergie: Gotcha. I’m sorry. Chess- But 

Deb Krier: I hum and I try. 

Coach Fergie: There you go. There you go. Chess, checkers, or Monopoly? 

Deb Krier: Monopoly 

Coach Fergie: Headline for your life 

Deb Krier: She did it as best she could 

Coach Fergie: Yes. Go-to ice cream flavor? [00:26:00] 

Deb Krier: Chocolate. 

Coach Fergie: All right. There’s a sandwich called Go For It Deb. Build that sandwich. What’s on it? 

Deb Krier: Yummy homemade bread- 

Coach Fergie: Right on

Deb Krier: cheese- 

Coach Fergie: Okay … 

Deb Krier: ham. 

Coach Fergie: Love it. 

Deb Krier: A little mayo. 

Coach Fergie: Love it. 

Deb Krier: And that’s, maybe a little Parmesan cheese on the outside, you know- Ooh … ’cause it’s gotta be toasted. 

Coach Fergie: Love it. Yeah, you, we’re good friends already. Love this. Favorite charity and/or organization you like to give your time and/or money to? 

Deb Krier: AMBER Net, which actually stands for American Beagle Relief Network.

Ooh. So they help beagle dogs. 

Coach Fergie: Love that. Love my beagles, too. Last question, you can elaborate on this one. I’m curious to hear what your answer is. But the best decade of music: ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, or ’90s? ‘

Deb Krier: 70s. ‘

Coach Fergie: 70s? Okay. You 

Deb Krier: know, it’s just- Yeah … yeah now oh, a little disco, which would- trail off into the ’80s. But yeah I’m of that era. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah I- 

Deb Krier: I just aged myself. 

Coach Fergie: No, but, and we both love… it’s funny ’cause I was born in ’72. And so all I remember is the ’70s songs- … with my parents [00:27:00] dancing or hearing them. Like, all the Seger, the- the Eagles, all the storytellers- … the Crochis, the John Denver. So when I actually listen to the podcast- … to build, make sure my show notes fit- … I have the ’70s on in the background. But I’m an ’80s kid, and it’s like- Yeah … so I have, have that, but…

So Ms. Deb, how can we find you, love? 

Deb Krier: The easy way is to go to tryingnottodie.live. That is the website URL. There is also a link on there for our private Facebook group. You can be a part of it whether you’ve gone on a cancer journey or not. We like to post a lot of inspirational stories, a lot of fun.

I do, laughter. That’s how, right? That’s how we get through this. Absolutely. And, and- Yep … so yeah, that’s, that is the easiest way to find me. Got it. You can also Google me. Yeah. And- Look for the redheaded person 

Coach Fergie: Love it. And squad, this is her website right here. If you’re seeing it, Deb just make sure you’re capturing all that. There I am in all my 

Deb Krier: glory. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah, love it. Love the beautiful redhead. You can connect with her on LinkedIn also if you’re in the [00:28:00] business world.

You got some Facebook here. Also don’t go now, but tune in. She is a fellow 2% podcaster with the Power Hour. And also, I believe that- Deb, you have the Resilient Leadership Through Cancer, like a, a research study- … business awareness- … through cancer. Can you- … dive a little bit on this for us?

Deb Krier: Sure. I know we’ve only got a couple minutes. Yeah. Yeah, people can find it at yourcancercoach.live/research-study. 

Coach Fergie: It’ll 

Deb Krier: be in the show notes as well. And it is what we think is the first of its kind- … type of research where we’re asking executives and business owners, “What would you do if”- Okay

or, “What did you do when?” Gotcha. To find out what their challenges were and what they think their biggest issues are gonna be. 

Coach Fergie: Love that. And so w- who is, st- who will be like the person that will fill it out? W- are you going to companies, or are you going to people that have the disease coming?

Sure. Or I just need to know 

Deb Krier: who is- Anybody who’s at that level. Okay. Yeah, so if you are a senior executive [00:29:00] or a business owner, I would love to get your thoughts. 

Coach Fergie: Oh, wow. Okay. 

Deb Krier: And y- hopefully you haven’t gone on this journey. Yeah … and so but, part of this too is to make people think about, how is your business gonna survive if something like- Yeah

this happens? 

Coach Fergie: A- and have someone on your side- … that has empathy. Yet the, the, the comedic- … pause I like to call it. And might 

Deb Krier: say- … the really bad words. 

Coach Fergie: Yeah. And thank you for doing that, damn it, … seriously. So Deb, if you could, leave us with one last knowledge nugget we can take with us, internalize, and take action on.

Deb Krier: You have to be your best advocate. No matter what you’re facing, whether it’s the promotion, the new client, the cancer diagnosis, you have to be your own advocate 

Coach Fergie: That is so true. And squad, I just had a, just a fun conversation. I have notes that I kinda took, but it’s more like we had a conversation about life, squad.

Great. It’s like, about getting past the denial, leaning into what it [00:30:00] is. Remember, your standards are gonna have to level up, and no matter what you go through in life, and especially if you get that C word, your standards have gotta level up to reach the goal of kicking that cancer’s butt.

Okay? Sh- Deb remind us that humor is huge. It’s gonna get us through a lot of situations. Get busy livin’, L-I-V-I-N. She’ll remind us, it’s okay also to have a pity party. Give yourself that grace and space to push through, because when you do that, it shows that, hey, I’m human. And a lot of people, I’m not gonna say they’re gonna come to your rescue, but they’re gonna come to assist you, and they see that.

My friend Deb, with what she’s doing, she’s going through this and helping people, yet th- that’s planting trees she’s never gonna sit in the shade of. You don’t see that much. She does things for the intention, not the attention, right? She’s not out there saying, look at me.”

She’s going almost person to person and saying, “We can do this.” She’ll be remembered as someone that n- that never gave up, and say that, and she’ll never say, “I wish I should have or would have.” She makes, she is the bucket. She goes out and does what she [00:31:00] wants, within reason, and then gets it done.

So lastly, she reminded us that do all you can. We’re y- like, we are, human beings are the only, only living anything that does not live to their full potential. If you look at a tree, it’ll grow to the size of its root system. If you look at any animal, they will live to their intention.

Some people will say your dog’s fat.” No, you’re probably overweight. That’s ’cause the dog’s not getting walked. That dog wants to go out and get after it, right? But as humans, don’t hold yourself back. Like Deb said, go out, get after it. And lastly, be your own best advocate. Be your biggest cheerleader.

And when people see that, they’re gonna wanna join, okay, squad? So my good friend Deb, she’s earned her varsity squad letter here. Thank you so much for coming on. You level up your health, you level up your wealth. You’re absolutely stunning. This is so fun. I can’t wait to collaborate on something in the very near future.

Deb Krier: Most definitely. Thank you so much for the honor. 

Coach Fergie: You’re welcome. Mwah. Talk soon.