Story of Dr. Michele D. Clark, LMSW
Note on Naming: In POQC communications, we typically don’t include formal titles like “Dr.” because we want to center lived experience with cancer and create a space where all voices feel equal. For this story, we’re using “Dr. Michele” at her request, as it’s an intentional part of her brand.
Dr. Michele’s story is one of resilience forged through pain, faith, and a deep desire to lift others. A licensed mental health therapist and devoted mother of two, Dr. Michele’s life took a sharp turn when she experienced not just one, but two strokes at age 38, barely six weeks after finalizing her divorce. That health scare delayed a follow-up appointment, which would later reveal she had breast cancer.
She received the devastating diagnosis in the most impersonal way, a rushed phone call at work between therapy sessions. “You know you have cancer, right?” the doctor said. She didn’t. But that moment didn’t break her. She met it with focus and determination: “Okay… what do we do next?”
Dr. Michele’s cancer story was far from straightforward. From challenges related to her stroke history, to multiple surgeries and complications with breast reconstruction, she faced every imaginable setback: false-positive COVID-19 testing, delayed surgeries, and emotional turmoil. At times, she felt like an unfinished science project or Humpty Dumpty, using humor as armor against the raw pain of feeling incomplete.
Through it all, Dr. Michele never stopped showing up for her clients, for her children, and ultimately, for herself. A turning point came during a long pause between surgeries. “I call it pausing in the pain and pulling out my purpose,” she says. Shortly after this time of reflection, she founded her company, LIFT™ After Breast Cancer, a movement focused on Living Inspired, Free, and Transformed after recovering from active treatment.
LIFT™ became more than a name; it became her calling. She started sharing her journey on LinkedIn, and it resonated so deeply that it led to the “Celebration, Elevation, Transformation Brunch”, transforming the anniversary of a devastating delay into a day of community and empowerment.
Dr. Michele’s vision is bold: to change the standard of beauty. Through keynote speaking, coaching, awareness walks, and annual events, she’s redefining what it means to be whole. Her work reminds survivors that beauty, femininity, and identity are defined by resilience and strength– not superficial measures. Healing is more than survival. It’s about renewal and thriving.
Throughout her journey, Dr. Michele’s strength has come from her faith, her family, and her community. Her mother, her children, and the many others who stood by her are the pillars that kept her uplifted. Some would say that Dr. Michele stands strong, unashamed, and unwavering despite facing repeated trauma – from sexual assault in her youth to critical illnesses and history of financial toxicity. But she is quick to clarify: it is not in spite of these experiences, but because of them, that she has been fortified into the powerhouse and inspirational leader she is today. Her transformative journey and impactful work have earned her numerous honors, including the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Dr. Michele lives by the mantra: “I am titanium. You cannot shoot me down.” This mindset has fueled her passion to lead impactful community events, coach high-performing survivors and their supporters, curate luxurious and rejuvenating retreats, and inspire others through the power of her story. Dr. Michele isn’t just surviving — she is LIFTing others to rise with her.