FINDING PURPOSE THROUGH ADVERSITY

people who have suffered cancer know, or those that have supported someone with cancer know, the treatment is just the beginning of the journey. Chemotherapy doesn’t build people up, it breaks them down – ravaging the body to get the cancer. In many ways, the hardest and longest part of the journey is what comes after the chemo and radiation stops. The start of a long road back to wellness.

“I came from a pharmaceutical background, so I knew the power of modern drugs. But there was a point where chemicals weren’t enough, and my recovery stalled. At that point, I knew I needed to try to use the power of nature to help me find my way back to wellness. But getting good information and support on my journey was nearly impossible. I spent years studying options and learning about what was available to me.”

JESSIE Shi is on a mission to change wellness in New Zealand forever. That sounds like a lofty ambition, but it’s one that comes from a commitment ignited by adversity. Jessie was only thirty years old when she heard the news no one at any age wants to hear.

In Jessie’s words, “Everything was going fine. I was six months pregnant, happily married, healthy, and excited about what my future might hold. Then everything changed in an instant. I went in for my six-month scan and noticed the doctor’s response was off. They suddenly looked worried, and I immediately started to get a dreadful feeling about my baby. Was she okay? The thoughts were frankly terrifying. My doctor assured me my baby was doing okay, but they wanted to do some more tests. Two hours later, a nightmare I could never imagine had been realised. The doctors had discovered a tumour bigger than my baby’s head around my uterus.”

Jessie’s journey then took an unimaginable turn. She had emergency surgery to save her baby and remove a cancerous tumour. She then had to undergo many months of debilitating treatment at a time when she should have been developing a healthy bond with her daughter.

Jessie had to give most of her energy to make sure she could be around to see her grow and develop as a person. But, as most

As Jessie gradually regained her strength and her connection to her family, she decided she could make a difference to New Zealanders by sharing her experience and newfound knowledge to help people live healthier lives. And through that journey, AJE Healthcare started. Jessie’s mission was to make natural healthcare easy to understand and effective in helping people live their best lives.

The first brand to join AJE was Gold Health – a trusted brand with a loyal customer base and a superior quality range of products. Gold Health has traditionally targeted the mature New Zealand customer segment, albeit the products are relevant for any age. But this is just the beginning for Jessie. This ambitious and driven female leader is determined to grow her business, serve her customers delightfully, and make natural healthcare accessible to all New Zealanders. Seeing her passion and hearing her story certainly inspires the belief that she’ll be successful. 