In a world filled with challenges—personal, professional, and health-related—hope is not just a feeling. It’s a force. In this powerful episode of The Guiding Voice, we had the honour of hosting Christine Schaer, a fierce advocate for transforming trials into triumphs. A speaker, author, and disease management expert, Christine brings us a message that’s more relevant today than ever: hope is the anchor that keeps us moving forward.
The Three Pillars of Christine’s Success
Christine didn’t sugar-coat her journey or success. Instead, she distilled it down to three powerful words:
- Tenacity – “I will never give up, no matter how many times I fail.”
- Purpose – “When your goal has deep meaning, you’ll keep going, even when it’s tough.”
- Hope – “Hope is an anchor. It gives us the belief that we can.”
These are not just principles; they are survival tools in a world where obstacles often come uninvited.
Watch Full Episode Here:
Overcoming Extreme Odds – The Book and the Battle
Christine’s book, Overcoming Extreme Odds, is more than a memoir—it’s a lifeline. Inspired by true stories, the book focuses on how one courageous woman faced betrayal, pain, and hardship, and still emerged victorious, with grace, not bitterness.
“If you stay in the same place, you won’t go anywhere. You have to choose to move forward—even when it’s hard.”
Christine’s own experience competing with large pharmacy chains in the U.S. in the ’90s taught her a valuable lesson: success requires innovation and courage. When big players blocked her business, she responded by building strategic contracts nationwide, creating a win-win network of independents. The result? A flourishing company called American Healthcare.
Hope in the Face of Health Challenges
With a background in national disease management—particularly in diabetes and obesity—Christine shared her formula for maintaining hope during health crises:
- Educate Yourself – Understand complications, risks, and how to prevent them.
- Own Your Choices – “Hope is God-given. You must choose to act.”
- Small Steps, Big Impact – Progress is possible, one healthy decision at a time.
Becoming Your Own Cheerleader
Christine encourages everyone to become their own biggest supporter. Her three-step formula:
- Anchor to Hope – Let a meaningful goal drive you.
- Embrace Challenges – You can’t conquer what you won’t face.
- Celebrate Small Wins – Achieving tiny goals builds confidence for the big ones.
“Tell yourself: I can. Over and over again. Until it becomes your truth.”
Dealing with Negativity: Shrink the Circle
In the face of dreams, doubters are inevitable. Christine’s advice?
“Make your circle small. Push out the naysayers. You don’t need external approval—you need internal alignment.”
💭 A Message to Young Professionals
To anyone facing their first major setback, Christine offers this golden reminder:
“It’s not the end—it’s a redirection. Most adversity is actually good news, pointing you to where you truly belong.”
Final Reflections: Success, Faith, and Inner Strength
Throughout the episode, Christine’s energy radiated a mix of wisdom and warmth. From discussing her near-death experience to her favourite mantra—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—she reminded us that success is not about circumstances, but conviction.
Her biggest takeaway?
“All things work together for good. Just keep pushing forward—you are equipped for the journey ahead.”
Listen, Learn, Share
If you’ve been inspired by Christine’s story, share the episode with three friends. You never know whose anchor of hope you might strengthen today.
Trivia Spotlight: Viktor Frankl – A Legacy of Meaning in Adversity
As Christine spoke about hope and triumph, we were reminded of Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and author of Man’s Search for Meaning. His philosophy—that even in suffering, life has purpose—echoes beautifully through Christine’s own journey and message.