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Fully Informed Life

Fully Informed Life LIFE COACH | PODCAST HOST helping women reimagine their lives as they write their next chaptHER Explore, dream, and discover your next chaptHER.

As a Certified Professional Life Coach, educator, and storyteller, Andrea Hecht helps women reimagine their lives, reconnect with their inner purpose, and reignite their fire within. Andrea provides individual and group coaching, helping you uncover your next chapter! For personalized guidance from Andrea Hecht, visit Fullyinformedlife.com and schedule your complimentary discovery session today. N

ow's your chance - step up and reimagine life today. Please scroll down to read an excerpt from Andrea Hecht's book of life and what led to her decision to utilize her skills and follow her passion for serving others.

45 YEARS OF CHAPTERS & STILL WRITING
An excerpt from Andrea Hecht's book of life:

 WELCOME TO THE WORLD: On March 31, 1977, Andrea Phyllis Haron made her grand debut at Sinai Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Her loving parents and older brother quickly learned that the 3 ½ week delay was well worth the wait. Didn't they realize all good things come to those that wait?

 LAUNCHING MY FIRST BUSINESS: (age 10) My love of jewels inspired me to launch my first custom-bead bracelet business.

 LEAVING ON A JET PLANE: (age 14) Au Revoir, I'm leaving on a jet plane – without my parents – and heading to the south of France to spend the summer as an exchange student. Only having a year's worth of French training didn't stop me from traveling across the Atlantic Ocean.

 IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE: (age 18) For 18 years, I dreamed of being a marshmallow-throwing fan at a University of Michigan game. That goal became a reality after receiving my acceptance letter to the class of 1999.

 NEXT STOP, ST. MALO, FRANCE: (age 19) Time to travel across the Atlantic Ocean again as a proud recipient of a scholarship to study and live with a French family for the summer in St. Malo, France.

 J'ADORE PARIS: (age 20) Holding to my spirit for travel and new experiences, I spent six months living and studying the French language and culture. As a bonus, several weekends were spent experiencing European cities' sights, sounds, and tastes. J'adore Paris and the Eiffel tower view from my apartment window.

 THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS: (age 21) 2 weeks after graduating from the University of Michigan, I packed my bags and headed to the City that Never Sleeps! Without a job, I pounded the streets of the concrete jungle, passing out my resume, and quickly landed a career as a Corporate Event Planner at Merrill Lynch. Planning events and traveling worldwide, including the US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, this 22-year-old loved life.

 IMAGES I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ERASE: (age 24) Horrifying images forever engrained in my head…watching from the World Financial Center the United plane crash into the building, climbing down 35 flights of stairs barefoot, trying to make multiple calls to family members, and finally reaching my father after 45 minutes. Images and the urge to do something more socially rewarding are engrained in my brain.

 BACK TO THE CLASSROOM: (age 25) In pursuing a direct contribution to children and their families, I headed to Chicago, Illinois, to receive my Master of Education at Loyola University. While NYC and my career at Merrill Lynch were exciting, it was time to follow my gut feeling of needing to do something different.

 SIDE-HUSTLE: (age 26) I launched my second business, hand-knit purses and custom cigar box purses. My collections were sold in a Chicago shoe store and a clothing store in Michigan. While completing my master's program, I spent my free time knitting and making purses.

 CAREER MAKEOVER: (age 26) After a 2-year stint in Chicago, it was time to head back to New York. Brooklyn was where I would spend my days as a 3rd-grade teacher. After a successful first year of teaching, given the honor, I looped up to 4th grade with my class. I spent the next few years watching my students turn from caterpillars into beautiful butterflies, ready to sore!

 TYING THE KNOT: (age 28) We made singer Chaka Khan proud on July 30, 2005. Ain't nobody else who would do a hip-hop wedding dance with my husband!

 WELCOME TO MOTHERHOOD: (age 30) On July 21, 2008, we welcomed our son to the world. I chose to leave my Brooklyn classroom and be the dedicated teacher to our baby bundle.

 A FAMILY OF FOUR: (age 34) Our family became complete on October 28, 2011, when we welcomed our baby girl.

 THE MANY HATS: (age 34 – 41) I wore many hats throughout these years. Motherhood sprinkled with the launch of my Beautycounter business of educating others to lead a healthier lifestyle, a role as a preschool teacher, carpool driver, and event planner. These years were a time of self-exploration and discovering how I wanted to approach motherhood and beyond.

 FULLY INFORMING OTHERS: (age 41) In 2018, I launched the Fully Informed Life brand to educate others and inspire people to lead an informed lifestyle. I started writing Andrea's Anecdote column for the North Caldwell Magazine.

 SUMMER HAPPY PLACE: (age 44 - 45) Nice People's Place became my summer happy place. As program director and office manager, I spent the entire summer at one of the happiest places on earth, surrounded by people who make me laugh and want to have fun 24/7!

 BACK TO THE CLASSROOM: (age 45) After years of self-reflection, the greatest gift I gave to myself on my 45th birthday was to head back to the classroom. I continued to develop my skills for serving others and started my journey to becoming a Certified Professional Life Coach.

 CHANGING DIRECTION WITH PURPOSE: (age 45 and beyond) I am proud to announce the launch of the coaching division of the Fully Informed Life brand to help others lead a life of purpose and passion as they change directions and write the different chapters in their book of life. While there have been many pages written in my book of life, the one thread that has held is my desire to explore, connect with others, and challenge myself along the way. As each chapter is written, I face the unknowns with curiosity. My question for you is, where are you today? How would you like to write the next pages of your book of life?

05/02/2025

🌸✨ Walking Into May ✨🌸

May… a month we look forward to every year.

The flowers bloom, we celebrate Mother’s Day, we honor Memorial Day, and it feels like the unofficial kickoff to summer.

But this May? I’m walking into it differently.

Both figuratively and literally, I’m walking into May as a fight.

I’m still figuring out my treatment plan. Surgery is on the horizon.. I don’t know exactly where I’ll be walking each day—
But I do know I’ll keep walking.

And this is where I ask you—my honorary Fight Club members—to join me.

Since my diagnosis, so many of you have been walking beside me in spirit.

And for this month of May, I’m inviting you to literally walk alongside me (wherever you are!) in Andrea’s Fight Club Walking Challenge.

Two incredible women I’ve never even met in person—Jodi Katzin and Bonnie Wisener—created this challenge to rally love, strength, and support as I navigate this new chapter with breast cancer.

I have a feeling this month, my own pace may slow down… but knowing I have an army walking with me? That keeps me going.

🚶‍♀️ Whether you walk, run, or cheer from the sidelines, there’s still time to join.

👉 Sign up through the link in bio and comments.

Let’s walk through May together.

💕

04/15/2025

If you’re the one who’s usually holding it all together—this one’s for you.

The space-holder.
The fixer.
The strong one who knows all the tools.

But what happens when you need someone to hold space for you?

I finally spoke to a therapist trained in supporting cancer patients.
And she reminded me of something I already know—
but needed to hear:

Even the coach needs a coach.

Even the one with the tools needs support.
Even the one who writes the plan… sometimes needs to pause the plan.

This diagnosis has brought up more than just medical stress.
It’s layered on top of years of emotion, world events, family responsibilities, and the pressure to keep showing up.

And maybe, like me, you’ve been trying to move through your season with strength—
but underneath it all… you’re carrying so much.

I shared the full story on Substack today—
about my first therapy session, the reminders I needed, and the truth that cracked me open in the best way.

It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s for the strong ones.

Read it on Substack: The Next chaptHER: These girls are for fighting

04/14/2025

Showing up publicly and showing your face in public?
Very different things.

I’ve recorded 68 podcast episodes.
I post regularly. I show up on stories.
I’ve gone to events alone and walked into rooms with confidence.

But post-diagnosis, everything feels… different.

It’s not that I don’t want to be seen.
It’s just—being seen when you’re still processing is hard.
Especially when someone asks the question we all ask:
“How are you?”

Because the truth is… I’m still figuring that out.

So lately, when I’ve run to Target or the grocery store,
I’ve caught myself hoping I wouldn’t run into anyone I know.

Not because I don’t care.
Not because I don’t appreciate the love.
But because I’m not ready to talk about it everywhere I go.

And if you’ve ever been through something big—
an identity shift, a diagnosis, grief, burnout—
You might know this feeling too.

So if you do see me out? Please don’t shy away.
Just know: I may not have the words yet.
And that’s okay. A smile, a wave, a quiet “thinking of you” means the world.

I wrote more about this moment—this in-between of identity, visibility, and truth—on Substack.

Read it at the link in bio:
“Still Me—But Not Ready to Talk About It”
from These Girls Are For Fighting.

04/13/2025

When the mirror starts to shift, it’s not always about the surface.
It’s about who you thought you were—
and what happens when something suddenly changes that.

Maybe it’s a diagnosis.
Maybe it’s aging, perimenopause, career shifts, or your kids needing you less.

And maybe, like me, you’re standing in front of the mirror one day,
looking at the same face…
but wondering, “Who even am I right now?”

We talk so much about reinvention in midlife—
but not enough about how disorienting it can feel in the messy middle.

This post isn’t about confidence.
It’s about identity.

And what happens when the version of yourself you’ve known
starts to change—before you even had a chance to process it.

I wrote about that moment—
when I stood in the mirror after three biopsies
and realized my reflection already felt different.

It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s now live on Substack.

👇 Tap the link in bio to read:
“The Mirror Is Starting to Shift”
from These Girls Are For Fighting.

04/11/2025

💥 Join My Fight Club (No Gloves Required) 💥

Two incredible women I met through ’s amazing marketing group— + —created Andrea’s Fight Club Team to walk beside me (literally and figuratively) as I face this next chapter with breast cancer.

They’ve followed along as I’ve shared my journey on Substack—raw, real, and full of heart—and decided to rally our community in a whole new way so I never feel like I’m walking alone. 💕

Now I want YOU to walk with me, too.

👟 Set a walking goal for May
📝 Submit your goal: [link in bio]
📲 Join the FB group: Andrea’s Fight Club Team
🎧 Walk to my playlist: “These Girls Are For Fighting”
📸 Tag
💞 Optional: donate in honor of your miles

We officially start May 1, but the love starts now. Let’s walk through this together. 💗

04/10/2025

Some siblings fight with each other.
Mine? He steps into the ring with me.

He’s been in my corner since day one—
from letting me tag along as a kid to quietly showing up for every major (and minor) life moment.

Last week? He drove in from Philly just to sit with me.
No big moment. No big ask. Just… there.

Because every fighter needs one person who never lets them fall.
That’s my brother. 💙

👉 Read the full story on Substack — link in bio.

04/09/2025

I’ve always been a cheerleader.
(Not literally—I couldn’t do a cartwheel if my life depended on it.)

But in life?
I’ve been the loudest one in the stands…
for my kids, my clients, my friends, my family.
I even had the Michigan cheerleaders at my wedding.
Because I love to cheer people on.

But here’s what I’ve finally realized:
Even the cheerleader needs a squad sometimes.

This chapter I’m walking through?
It’s real. It’s hard. It’s mine.
And I’m sharing it in real time over on Substack—because that’s how I make meaning:
Inform. Inspire. Connect.

To my community:
You’re now part of my Fight Club team.
Let’s go win this one together.

Hit the link in bio to read the full piece.
And if you’ve ever been the one holding everyone else up—and suddenly found yourself needing to be held—drop a heart in the comments.
I see you. I’m with you.

04/08/2025

I recorded this podcast episode before I knew.

Before the mammogram.
Before the call.
Before the words “it’s cancer.”

It was an episode all about time—how we say “I don’t have time” and what that really means. About how so many women (me included) put everyone else’s appointments, needs, and schedules ahead of their own.

And now?
Now it hits differently.

The irony is not lost on me.
How I wish I could go back and adjust time.
But what I can do is share this with you—because it matters more than ever.

🎧 The latest episode of The Next ChaptHER is out now:
“What ‘I Don’t Have Time’ Really Means” (Part 1)
It’s raw, real, and honest—just like this season of life.

📥 Free Time Audit tool linked in show notes
📝 Read my latest Substack: “Where’s My Game Plan?”
🎧 Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts

Let this be your reminder:
You are worth the time.

If this hit home, share it with a friend who needs the reminder too.

04/07/2025

There’s something about music.
It shifts your energy.
It brings you back to yourself.
It carries memories… and creates new ones.
And for me, it’s always been about movement.

If you knew me growing up, you knew I was always dancing.
Sequins, jazz shoes, big hair and all.
(Yes, the photo proves it.)

Dance was my release.
Music was my escape.
And now? It’s my fuel.

When I got my diagnosis, I knew I needed more than calm playlists and quiet motivation.
I needed something that could carry me—through the fear, the fire, and the fight.

So I started building a new playlist:
These Girls Are For Fighting.

It’s for every woman who’s had to hold it all together.
For every mom running on empty.
For every midlife warrior rewriting her story, beat by beat.

Have a fight song? Drop it below or DM me.
I’m collecting them into a real Apple Music playlist, and we’re building it together.

Beacause you better believe that Xplosive Entertainment will be playing every song at the biggest after party ever!!
Read the full story + join the fight song crew on Substack at The Next ChaptHER

Playlist:https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/these-girls-are-for-fighting/pl.u-38oWWZbCgaoA5X

04/06/2025

I’ve always loved to write.

From teaching 3rd grade publishing parties to my column Andrea’s Anecdotes—writing has always been how I process, connect, and fight.

And now, in the middle of this unexpected chapter, the words are pouring out again—at 2am, in the bathroom, in my phone notes… wherever I need to breathe.

This isn’t just journaling.
It’s my fight plan.
And I’m sharing it in real time.

New Substack is up on The Next ChaptHER.

04/04/2025

My Book of Life Just Got a New Chapter
And it begins with: “Last Friday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

The photo you see here?
That’s me.
Rocking a little pink and a bonnet—long before I knew just how significant that color would become.

A few years ago, I wrote An Excerpt from the Book of Andrea—a playful, heartfelt way to reintroduce myself by sharing the chapters you won’t find in a Google search.

I was the 10-year-old entrepreneur selling custom-bead bracelets.
The fearless 14-year-old flying solo to France.
The marshmallow-throwing Wolverine.
The barefoot 9/11 evacuee.
The hip-hop bride.
The mama of two.
The teacher. The coach. The storyteller.

And now, just days before my 48th birthday, a new chapter begins.

✨ These Girls Are for Fighting. ✨
Because I am.
Because I will.
Because that same little girl in pink is still here—curious, courageous, and ready to take on what’s next.

This will be a hard chapter, no sugarcoating it.
But if you know me, you know I’ve faced the unexpected before—and written my way through it every single time.

And when this chapter is done?
You better believe there will be a dance floor and an after-party like no other.

If you’ve been following my journey, thank you.
If you're just finding me now, I’m so glad you're here.
The book's not even close to finished.

💌 I’m sharing more over on Substack: The Next ChaptHER - Read the full story—link in bio.

04/02/2025

I’ve guided so many women through uncertain seasons using my Roadmap to J.O.Y.™ framework—helping them name what they’re feeling, find their footing, and move forward with intention.

Now, I’m on my own path through it.

After a whirlwind of appointments, scans, and test results, I’ve realized I’m not feeling “happy”—even though the news was “early detection.”

The word that feels most honest right now?

Clarity.

Not the comforting kind—but the kind that reveals what you’re truly facing.
And even in the overwhelm, it’s brought a strange steadiness.

A quiet “okay… I can do this.”

There’s still more ahead—more waiting, more decisions.

But for now, I’m catching my breath.

And holding onto clarity as my new “C” word.

If you want to read more about this moment and how it’s reshaping how I walk others through their own roadmaps—

Head to Substack - The Next ChaptHER: These Girls are for fighting

Address

North Caldwell, NJ

Website

http://www.fullyinformedlife.com/, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-chapther/id1670206410

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