Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Diana Hall of ActivArmor

Diana Hall shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Diana, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing a vision of lifestyle freedoms for the millions of people needing to be immobilized for injuries each year… the athletes and soldiers who are sidelined from their sport or duties, the kids sitting in the hotel on summer break so they don’t get their casts dirty or wet, the restaurant or healthcare worker who is out of work because they need to be sanitary, the parents who can’t change their baby’s diaper or wash their hands…

My goal is to bring the next generation in casting to those who need it worldwide, and it’s an honor and privilege to be able to do so every single day, so why would I stop?

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Diana Hall, and I’m the Founder of ActivArmor. We provide custom designed plastic, waterproof, breathable casts to doctors and hospitals worldwide, giving them the ability to provide their patients with lifestyle freedoms while healing. There is no one-size-fits-all in body shapes and sizes, nor in injury treatments – we get that! And practicing basic hygiene like washing and showering shouldn’t have to be sacrificed for weeks or months when you need a cast or splint.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My brother had cystic fibrosis, so we spent a lot of time in Children’s Hospital growing up. When your sibling has a terminal disease, you look at the world differently… you realize how short life is, and what is important. Not only did my brother teach me what it means to be brave, but also how to live every day with purpose and intent… to look for meaning and ways to help those who you can. To always go all-in, because what do you have to lose? He’s gone now, but he’s forever my hero and my inspiration!

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
The thing I’ve learned most after failing is that failing is a not a bad thing. In fact, it’s inevitable… if you’re not failing, you’re not trying enough things. And there’s no better teacher. I like to fail fast and regroup fast. Any time you fail, you’re getting closer to finding the successful path. Whenever you are doing something new or innovative, there are a million ways to fail, but wasting time on regrets or beating yourself up isn’t productive. Get up, brush yourself off, redirect, and try something different.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the biggest lie that we tell ourselves in healthcare is that helping people “isn’t about money”. While I agree that it SHOULDN’T be, the truth is that it HAS to be… because if it’s not sustainable, it won’t scale. And if it won’t scale, you can’t help as many people. In order to impact and improve the standard of care, you have to find solutions that can function within the system of health insurance, hospital systems, regulatory bodies, and clinical flows, and that clinicians are willing and able to adopt.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m acting on my mission. When I’m doing what I feel that I was created to do. When I’m challenged, when I’m forging, when I’m productive. When you find what you were uniquely designed to do, you’ll never feel peace outside of doing exactly that.

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