Nicole Smith

The Dare to Rise program was a huge leap forward in my writing process. Maryann has a unique approach and a long list of resources to help you find your voice and share your story in your own time. I have always been drawn to writing but I never knew how powerful it could be to make meaning out of the most difficult moments in my life. Through this program, I learned how to see my own experiences in a new light and weave together the story of my life. Without Maryann's guidance and support, I wouldn't have been able to speak my truth for others to hear, first in a published essay and eventually through my memoir.

-Nicole Smith, Thyroid Cancer Survivor and Advocate