We recently had the chance to connect with Tiffany Kory and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Going back to college at 44!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For 4 years post divorce, after finding myself a single mother at 39, I was striving to get on my feet again, building a salon business, and fortunate to have an opportunity to compete in beauty pageants. In 2020, I was crowned the first ever Ms. Illinois International. In 2021, I won Ms. Illinois World International. Then, in 2022, I was double crowned Ms. USA Universe and Ms. World America and published my best selling book “Ms.: No Matter the Title, Rise from Trauma to Triumph and Learn to Love Yourself”. In 2023, I was then crowned Ms. Universe Global!
Then, everything changed. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and found myself completely lost. It’s now one year later and I am cancer free and feeling more powerful than I have ever felt in my life. I’m back in college at 44, working and absolutely loving this new take on life. My son is thriving and I could not appreciate this 2nd half of life in front of me!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My son, my family and my friends. My son was 12-13 as I went through my battle with breast cancer. Most days, he was the only one with me. Somehow, he stayed so positive and through my tears and fears, he knew it was going to be alright. My mom and sister never hesitated to come from far away and be at my doctor’s appointments, which was so important because I didn’t remember anything and just sobbed. When I decided to have a double mastectomy, they dropped everything and helped me. My friends brought me food and even put pink ribbons all over my neighborhood trees. I think for the first time in my life, I saw how many people loved me and it was the most beautiful thing I had never known I had not seen before.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Facing the possibility of death, I reflected on my life. Had I taught my son enough and what regrets do I have? The team of doctors and medical professionals I encountered were so brilliant, it just blew my mind. I could not stop thinking about how I regretted not finishing college. Spending so much time reflecting, I decided to go talk (and cried) to a career coach at my local Junior College. Through many conversations, I decided to try to become some sort of breast cancer counselor. I know there’s a need for it and my Faith in God led me to it. I started in January of 2025! I am one year cancer free, on high honors and I love every second of being in school again. My professors are amazing and I work and do homework. I’m learning about medicine and anatomy, along with psychology and more. My strength is back and I’m feeling like a true Wonder Woman again! Balancing work and school and being a single mom, I want to encourage others that breast cancer is not a death sentence…but early detection matters! And anything is possible at any stage of life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that things happen to us in our life that cause pain, but give us insight and purpose to find solutions to so that we can help others facing the same thing. While some of these things seem unfair, God has a reason. It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it. Even if it’s just to grow in your relationship with God, He has a plan for you, because He loves you.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I will never give anyone specific medical advice. The respect I have for doctors in the advanced world of technology and medicine is more than I can express in words. So many people want to give their opinions on what causes or prevents cancer and every case is different. My cancer was related to estrogen and some of the things people told me were so out of line it was terrifying. We need to trust our experts in the medical field. I know we all want a cure and the best thing to do is just be there for the patient. What is missing, though, is mental health help for cancer patients. And, that is what I am focused on learning to provide.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Blushinginc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-kory-4761812b
- Facebook: Tiffany Kory
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