Writer | World Traveler | Cancer Thriver
Finding Inspiration in Life’s Messiness
Memoir Coming Soon!
My Roller-Coaster Life
Me. Also M.E. and M.E.S. ⤵︎
My name is Marla Elizabeth Stein, which makes my initials M.E.S. That captures the rollercoaster I’ve been on throughout my life. Although born and raised in New York, my whirlwind adventures include visiting 40 countries and living for extended periods in South Korea, the Middle East, London, and Spain.
As a professional fundraiser, I’ve supported international, education, and health based agencies. I’ve also worked to promote conflict resolution with Jewish and Arab-Israeli teens, taught ESL to students from different Asian countries, and advocated for underserved communities.
I’m a trained writer and certified English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher with a Master’s Degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training and a B.A in Psychology from S.U.N.Y. Plattsburgh.
Read on to learn how my diverse professional skills and personal experiences helped prepare me for some of the most difficult hurdles in my life.
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I’m no stranger to adversity. At 32, I advocated for myself upon finding a lump in my breast. Although told that I was “too young”, I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months later. Aside from this “bump” in the road, I had an ovarian cancer scare which put me into early menopause at the age of 37.
Every member of my immediate family has been touched by cancer. While my grandmother, mother, and sister had breast cancer, my older brother passed from melanoma at 48. My father died from complications from Parkinson’s disease at 73.
Currently, I’m based in Valencia, Spain. While trying to live my best life, I’m now living with Stage 4 Lung Neuroendocrine Tumor cancer. I received this chronic disease diagnosis a few months after moving abroad. These days, I’m working on my memoir about overcoming adversity with grace and humor. Aside from making you laugh, my goal is to provide you with teachable takeaways that will help you deal with any challenges you are facing.
Strolling through Venice ⤴︎
Vibing in Valencia ⤵︎
I’ve Got a Memoir in the Works!
In the zone ⤵︎
The Berlin Wall ⤴︎
I’m on a mission to share my teachable memoir with you. This labor of love is heartful, meaningful, and a tangible tool for anyone looking for insight on how to address and manage unforeseeable obstacles life has in store. Each chapter in this teachable memoir is specific to a situation that took place during a certain time in my life. This includes being bullied at a young age, navigating toxic relationships, fighting societal expectations of how life needs to be lived, death, and living with chronic disease.
Clear examples of how I’ve overcome adversity with grace and humor are in the Teachable Takeaway Section at the end of each chapter. Here, you’ll learn action steps that may help you. Of course, there are moments in the memoir where you might enjoy a good laugh, too!
In the meantime, you can read my work on Substack, and subscribe to get updates on the memoir!
Can I Tell You a Story?
By sharing my journey, I hope you’ll learn that while overcoming adversity isn’t fun nor easy, there’s usually light at the end of the tunnel.
Cordoba Patio Festival ⤴︎
Sagunto Stones in Water ⤵︎
Blogs & Articles
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She Hit Refresh, October 13, 2021
As a child, how did you envision your life as an adult? Did you think you’d own a house with a white picket fence in your hometown? Were you planning to climb up the corporate ladder? Or perhaps, did you see yourself living a life that was a bit more adventurous? Read More.
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She Hit Refresh, June 12, 2020
Why are you single? Do you have a partner? Do you want kids? Are you childfree by choice? Why don’t you have any kids?
Have you been bombarded with these questions more times than you care to count?If so, how has being asked about these deeply personal choices about being childless or childfree made you feel? Read More. -
Thrive Global, August 11, 2020
I’ve always had thin hair. Since I was a kid, it’s been a baby fine nightmare — especially when my animal barrettes would slide out. My hair never thickened and to this day, I am strategic about covering my bald spots when I put it in a ponytail. When the gray began… I started getting….Read More.
Got a podcast or a stage with my name on it? Let’s talk. I always pack stories and perspectives wherever I go.
Speaking
Still Rising: Marla Stein on Cancer, Resilience, and Reinviting Life in Spain
The Feisty Heroine, September 24, 2025
Living with neuroendocrine tumours (NETS) in her lungs: Marla shares her very personal story
All About You Podcast, July 27, 2025
Living Abroad with Cancer: Marla’s Story of Resilience in Spain
She Hit Refresh, Ep 73, June 19, 2025
Finding Opportunity in Adversity with Marla Stein
She Hit Refresh, Ep 41, February 1, 2022
Menopause Before Age 40 and After Cancer, Marla's Story
My Bloody Hell Podcast, Ep 13, December 8, 2021