Every so often, we meet someone whose story stays with us—someone whose truth, strength, and compassion remind us why early detection and women’s health advocacy matter so deeply. For us at the BEA, Thandi Monee’ is one of those women. Her journey through breast cancer and into a life of purpose-driven healing is a testament to what it means to not just survive, but to thrive with intention, courage, and clarity. 

A Life Before Diagnosis: Driven, Accomplished, and Always Moving Forward 

Before her diagnosis, Thandi spent 15 years leading the advertising industry as a marketing executive. She was the woman who got things done—the strategist, the leader, the mother of two, the wife, the rock everyone leaned on. She thrived in fast-paced environments and embraced the challenge of building brands and driving results. 

But like so many women carrying multiple roles, she rarely paused for herself. She loved travel, adventure, and immersing herself in new cultures, yet beneath the accomplishments, she sensed she wasn’t fully living as her truest self. She was strong, yes, but constantly pouring from a cup that was never quite full. 

The Unexpected Shift: Diagnosis & the Year That Changed Everything 

In August 2021, while on vacation, Thandi performed a self-exam—something she had done many times before. This time, she felt something new. Only two months earlier, her well-woman exam had shown nothing concerning, but her intuition told her something wasn’t right. After further testing, Thandi received the words that would divide her life into “before” and “after.” Stage 1: Invasive ductal carcinoma. 
At just 38 years old, with children ages 8 and 5, and having just celebrated her 14th wedding anniversary, her world shifted in an instant. 

What followed was a grueling year of treatment: 

• A double mastectomy 

• 16 rounds of chemotherapy 

• 30 radiation treatments 

• 4 surgeries 

The physical toll was undeniable, but the emotional work was just as profound. She grieved her body, her independence, and the identity she had built through achievement and responsibility. And yet, during all of this, she discovered a powerful truth—she didn’t have to be strong alone. 

She describes her turning point as the moment she “burned her cape.” By allowing family, friends, coworkers, and a specialized therapist to step in, she made space for support, honesty, and healing. This surrender became the foundation for her transformation. 

Lessons Learned: Healing, Faith, Freedom, and Joy 

Cancer reshaped Thandi from the inside out. It stripped away the parts of her life that were built on pressure, perfectionism, and performance. What remained was clarity; about what mattered, what didn’t, and who she wanted to become. 

Healing for Thandi came through: 

• Faith 

• Therapy 

• Movement 

• Rest 

• Creativity 

• Truth-telling 

• Community 

• And choosing joy without apology 

“Surviving means you made it through,” she says. “Thriving means you chose to live differently afterward.” 

Today, thriving looks like alignment, purpose, and freedom. It’s a life where her internal healing is reflected in the choices she makes every single day. 

A New Calling: Advocacy, Storytelling & Empowerment 

Thandi knew her story wasn’t simply about endurance—it was about transformation. After leaving her corporate role, she launched the Thandi Monee’ brand and stepped fully into advocacy and empowerment work. Her transparency has touched thousands across the country. 

Her impact includes: 

• Speaking on national stages, podcasts, and news platforms 

• Being honored as a Dallas Cowboys Star Survivor 

• Teaching first-year medical students at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine about the power of patient connection 

• Creating and teaching Resilient Narratives, an 8-week storytelling program that helps survivors reclaim their voice and purpose 

She also founded the Pink Holiday Initiative, supporting breast cancer patients during a season that can feel especially heavy—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Alongside her husband, she co-founded The Montgomery Foundation, providing scholarships to high school students and furthering advocacy for women’s health and wellness. For Thandi, this work is not separate from her healing—it is part of her healing. 

Her Message to Women: You Are Worth Fighting For 

Thandi’s words to women navigating diagnosis or treatment are tender and fierce: 

“You are not alone, even when it feels isolated and overwhelming. Take this one moment, one appointment, one decision at a time. Ask for help. Accept support. Give yourself grace. This season does not define you.” 

Her message about early detection is equally powerful: Early detection creates options. It saves lives. It saved her life. 

“I hope women walk away knowing they are worthy of care, rest, and a life lived fully and truthfully. Their body’s whispers matter. Their intuition matters. Their life is worth listening to.” 

Life Today: Purpose, Joy, and Authenticity 

Today, Thandi is living a life that is beautifully aligned with her heart—one filled with family, creativity, service, faith, laughter, and intention. She no longer postpones joy. She no longer performs. She lives freely and fiercely as her truest self. 

Looking forward, she plans to expand her programs, grow her advocacy work, and continue helping women move from surviving into thriving. 

Closing Reflections: A Truth Worth Sharing 

Thandi’s story is not just about breast cancer. It is about renewal, identity, and freedom that comes from choosing your truth. 

She says it best: 

“Every drop of chemo not only killed the bad and good cells—it destroyed the imposter syndrome that held me back. Every round of radiation burned off the pressure of perfectionism. Every surgical excision removed layers of anxiety I no longer needed.” 

“Something magical happens when you give yourself permission and space to embrace who you are. There is an awakening and an unexplainable freedom to live with intentionality and give the world the gift of the real you. Life begins when you find your truth.” — Thandi Monee’