103. Cancer, Clarity, and Calling: Diana Fritz on Finding Purpose Through Life’s Hardest Battles

In this powerful episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis welcomes leadership and change consultant Diana Fritz to share the profound journey she’s walked since her rare cancer diagnosis. Diana opens up about the physical, emotional, and spiritual impact of living with—and surviving—a life-altering form of cancer. From losing her eye in a high-risk surgery to gaining a deeper sense of mission, her story is one of grit, grace, and choosing to grow through what she’s gone through. Diana’s message is clear: adversity doesn’t have to define us—it can uniquely qualify us to serve others.

Diana Fritz is a wife, mom, leadership coach, and cancer thriver who brings two decades of business experience and a deep personal story of resilience. A DISC-certified consultant and member of the Maxwell Leadership Group, Diana leads with authenticity, using her life experiences to teach others about communication, connection, and courage. Her book, Uniquely Imperfect, Uniquely Qualified, captures the heart of her message: that even our hardest seasons can become our greatest qualifications to help others.

Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• A Rare Diagnosis: Diana shares how a routine biopsy turned into an 11-year battle with sebaceous carcinoma, a rare form of cancer that eventually led to the removal of her eye.
• From Control to Surrender: As a single mom and executive, Diana reflects on learning to release control and trust the journey—especially when the future was uncertain.
• Faith and Family First: Grounded by her faith and driven by her love for her two sons, Diana found strength in focusing on what truly matters.
• Seen, Heard, and Valued: Diana offers insights on how to treat others with dignity, especially those with visible differences, and why a smile or “hello” can change someone’s day.
• Purpose from Pain: Her story reveals how challenges can transform into powerful opportunities to lead, influence, and serve others.

Diana Fritz’s story is a testimony to the power of faith, perspective, and service. Her willingness to embrace vulnerability and lead with compassion is an invitation for all of us to stop waiting for perfect circumstances—and instead, start living with purpose. Whether you're walking through a storm or simply searching for direction, Diana reminds us that we can find strength not in spite of adversity, but because of it.

Subscribe & Share: Inspired by Diana’s story? Be sure to subscribe to What’s the Point? so you never miss a conversation about finding meaning in every chapter of life. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, clarity, or a reminder that they’re not alone in their journey.

Connect with Bill:

• [email protected]
• www.brandingpillars.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

CONTACT INFO:

Email  [email protected]

Website(s) https://grituiuq.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/diana-fritz-b032064

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/diana.kline.395

BOOK:

Uniquely Imperfect. Uniquely Qualified: Overcome Adversity, Escape the Imperfection Mentality, and Journey from Self to Serve https://www.amazon.com/dp/1636804306?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_1JNFAV8K7142AJXD77CX&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_1JNFAV8K7142AJXD77CX&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_1JNFAV8K7142AJXD77CX&bestFormat=true

Quick Episode Summary: 

• 0:00 – Bill introduces Diana and previews the themes of resilience, surrender, and compassion
• 1:08 – Diana shares her rare cancer diagnosis and what made her case so unique
• 3:44 – The decision to remove her eye and undergo a life-altering surgery
• 6:10 – Parenting through pain: navigating cancer as a single mom with young children
• 9:29 – The emotional and relational weight of visible differences and public perception
• 13:00 – Why Diana strives to make others feel seen, heard, and valued
• 15:10 – How connecting with patients, doctors, and strangers gave her a greater sense of purpose
• 17:01 – Bringing her story into her leadership coaching and DISC communication work
• 20:00 – Her career evolution from corporate leadership to coaching and people development
• 22:45 – Choosing authenticity in leadership: owning your mistakes and leading with humility
• 24:55 – Her motivation to model resilience for her children and others watching
• 26:00 – Viktor Frankl, meaning-making, and how her mindset started long before her diagnosis
• 28:00 – Why she titled her book Uniquely Imperfect, Uniquely Qualified and what it means
• 30:00 – The power of turning adversity into a unique ability to help others
• 31:00 – How her commitment to growth and influence shaped her career and personal mission
• 34:00 – The worst advice she ignored—and the best advice she followed
• 38:45 – Final reflections on finding your “why” and helping others as the path to healing