Meet the Mom – Tara G. Warrior in Pink

Name: Tara Gustman 

2019 Warrior in Pink – Susan G. Komen South Florida

Name: Tara Gustman 

2019 Warrior in Pink – Susan G. Komen South Florida

Where did you grow up:

I grew up on Long Island, New York 

Town you live in now: 

I live in Boca Raton for the past 13 years.  

Why you love living there:

There are so many reasons to love living in Boca Raton.  Some are obvious, like the beach and weather, however, more important than what you can see, is the community of people that my family has come to know and love.  

Tell me about your kids:

I have two daughters Alivia, who is 6 years old and Savannah, who is 4. Full of energy, they both can be found at dance class, swimming or busy with an arts and crafts project wanting to spread love and kindness to others.  Over the past year, they have come to recognize words like being strong and being beautiful, no matter what you look like. They were incredible as I fought a disease that so many women fight, breast cancer. We catch them saying these things to friends and strangers any chance they have all while enjoying being playful and happy children.  

Favorite things to do with the family locally: 

There are so many great things to do in South Florida.  From the different street fairs to festivals, concerts and community events, it’s tough to say which is our favorite.  I’d have to say though going to the beach before sunset always bring smiles to everyone.   

Best family restaurant:

Our favorite family restaurant is Nino’s on Palmetto and Powerline.   The food is great, and the atmosphere is welcoming. 

Ideal family vacation spot and why:

We cannot wait to all get away to the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. We evacuated for Hurricane Irma and drove north making many stops along the way.  While in West Virginia, we decided to go back and stay at a lake house enjoying the wondering hills and endless mountains.  I also wouldn’t mind sinking my toes on the beaches of Hawaii.

What’s your ‘day job’?

I work for a Fortune 500 company, located in Boca Raton, in the kitchen and cookware e-commerce division.  

What is something that makes your life easier/better/more fun? 

Music, dancing, my Breasties, family, my friends who have become family and being blessed with the ability to hear two belly laughing, giggly, happy girls at the end of every single day!  Being able to take it all in, stop and take a deep breath and realizing how fortunate I am, is making my life more fun.      

How do you balance your ‘day job’ and motherhood?

It’s just that, a hard balance. I do my best to leave what I can at the office and staying positive while remembering my “Why”, every day. 

Who inspires you and why?

My dear friend Jennifer Gibber. Anyone who knows her, will say she is the brightest life for anyone.   Any time I am speaking with her, she pushes me to continue to give back even more than I ever thought I could.  Her unique ability to connect my soul with the universe in ways I can’t explain, and I am so grateful to know her and have the ability to connect with her. 

What do you do for self care?

My self -care has changed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.I used to be able to incorporate fitness and weight training in my everyday life, now I focus on meditation and stretching.  For now, I am limited with my exercise regimen, so I keep it light, however, self-care has always been very important to me.  It’s always been my way of focusing on me.  

What did you wish you knew but no one told you about being a parent?

The beauty of just letting things go. Being a parent is learning to hold in so many emotions at a time and knowing that it’s okay to not always have the right answers. Love and the truth will always guide you.

 Anything else you want to share?

 Being a mother is the hardest yet most rewarding job. Being a mother that’s living with cancer, you learn very quickly how every single accomplishment is worth celebrating.  Love your children all the time, even when you wish you had two seconds to use the restroom alone. It is a blessing to become a mother which is denied to so many for reasons we will never be able to explain. Never take being a mom for granted, even during the difficult days. 

What does it mean to you to be a 2019 Warrior In Pink?

Being selected as a 2019 Susan G. Komen South Florida, Ford Warrior in Pink means so much to me.  It is allowing me to have the ability to continue to offer support to those diagnosed with breast cancer and encourage younger woman (and all moms) to get mammograms earlier in life.  I hope that I can make a difference in someone’s life and encourage them to stay positive, even when they think they are at their worst. This all comes from personal experience and being a Warrior in Pink give me a platform to share my positive attitude, strength and hope since my diagnosis.  

Before being selected, I created my own Facebook group and blog called LetMeGetTheseOffMyChest.com where people are able to join me on my journey, know they aren’t alone, have a feeling of hope and understand that they only way to get through was to fight!

The impact I hope to have will be one that is everlasting. If I help just one woman get diagnosed early or give another woman strength to fight, then I know I made a difference as a Warrior in Pink!