This year will mark 20 years since I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, I was a young mother with a three-year-old and one-year-old waiting 10 days for pathology to identify what was found in a lymph node. It was the longest 10 days of my life followed by a year of lung scans to monitor spots found on my lungs. I was very lucky to have had thyroid cancer as it’s referred to as “the good cancer”. It was through this experience that I evaluated my life and realized the life I was living was not congruous with who I wanted to be. Silver Linings Transitions, the company I founded 10 years ago, is a result of my life reflection. I definitely learned that I am not someone who likes to suffer alone and while awaiting the pathology report, I sent an email to everyone in my email list joking that part of me was in Italy. (Where the leading neck cancer pathologist was located.) One of my closest childhood friends who had cancer his freshman year of college shared at the time that getting cancer was like getting a “front-row seat to life”. Now, when I face a tough time, I know I have been through worse and think “what is this experience here to teach me?”. I definitely consider my legacy – how I want to be remembered and what contribution I want to make to the world and those around me. I also don’t take things for granted. I would say this is also defined by the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam” believing each of us has a spark of the divine in us and we are partners in repairing the world. I recently created “Grandma Has ADHD” a podcast, website and educational program which combines my experience working with seniors and my personal journey of learning about ADHD. I was diagnosed when my oldest child was diagnosed eight years ago. ADHD is highly heritable and I have since discovered my mother has ADHD too!!
About Jami Shapiro
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have three children. My oldest Will, is non-binary and a recent college graduate living on the east coast. I have learned a great deal about myself parenting them and becoming exposed to the LGBTQ+ community. My middle daughter is a rising senior at UC Davis and my youngest daughter is a rising junior in high school. My boyfriend and I live together and he has joint custody of his 12 year old. I refer to myself as her crazy “Aunt Jami”. I’m an adult figure in her life but don’t have the same responsibilities that I would as a parent. Together we have a new puppy “Benji”.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was a buyer for Stein Mart. A coworker who was also pregnant and I approached management about “job sharing” a position so each of us could work part time and also be home with our children. We were turned down and this steered me into real estate. I was a Realtor for 11 years when I discovered the senior and specialty move management industry and I have built Silver Linings Transitions to be the company that I want to work for. Our team feels more like family and I practice and demonstrate for my team, work/life balance. When they are happy, the have more to give to our clients. We also do very fulfilling work – handling all the logistics of a person’s move and also providing. home organizing services leaving our clients homes much better than when we started. My newest passion is the “Grandma Has ADHD” podcast and talks educating people on the intersection of seniors and ADHD and how knowing you have ADHD and creating systems to make your life run better makes a significant difference.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
You regret the things in life you don’t do more than the things you do. When I was single after my divorce, I remember giving an attractive man a note with my number in Starbucks. He never called but I am still so glad I took the chance. I felt the same way when I started my business while going through divorce. I thought, one day when I’m on my deathbed how will I feel if I DON’T try to do this?
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to be a grandmother. The closest person in my life was my grandmother and I want to have the kind of impact on my grandchildren that she had on me. (I should mention I was an only grandchild.) On July 4, I am releasing the podcast “Grandma Has ADHD” after working with seniors and realizing many chronically disorganized people have ADHD. I hope to be the face of seniors who have ADHD and recently began work to become an ADHD coach. I seem myself as an “influencer” writing a book and traveling around the world sharing my knowledge and entertaining audiences.
Jami Shapiro & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I have always been a “picky eater” (another trait I learned is common with ADHD). I am working towards going outside my bubble and what’s familiar. My boyfriend on the other hand is a “foodie” and it’s been fun to explore parts of town and different restaurants. If I had to pick a favorite though, I’d say “The Marine Room” – sitting at the bar and meeting the people who sit next to us.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to San Diego from Florida 13 years ago this summer.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Living in San Diego is amazing because so many successful people have chosen to make it home. I’d say the person I most admire here is Dr. Ken Druck who took the experience of losing his daughter and turned it into a way to help others. Resilience is the trait I admire most.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I don’t know that I would have started Silver Linings Transitions had I not moved to San Diego. There are so many amazing programs in place to help entrepreneurs and start ups.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Growing up on the east coast I didn’t experience many sunsets. Now, I can be driving home and see the sun setting. I go out of my way to catch sunsets. They always put things in perspective. I would also say growing up in the Bible Belt, I experience quite a bit of anti-semitism and I love how tolerant San Diego is of diversity.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Billy Joel. Music has a way of bringing us back to times in our lives and I’d say the sound track to my life has been Billy Joel’s music. I loved having my 16 year old at his recent concert. I’d take him to Brockton Villas. I love sitting across along the ocean and hearing the seals.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
This Is Us. It’s on my bucket list to watch again when I slow down. (I am not someone who likes to re-watch movies or shows as I feel like there’s so much still to explore.)
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am constantly learning and I have this deep need to understand who people are and what made them the way they are.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
San Diego weather and climate. Growing up in Florida, it felt like it rained every day and mosquitos are NO JOKE!! They really are Florida’s state bird. I love my hair without all the humidity.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children. I know they are watching how I walk through life. I don’t keep things from them. I need them to see that when life knocks us down, we get back up. I also want them to feel a responsibility toward leaving the world better because we were in it.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
I am on the boards of Hadassah and NPRA and have always volunteered in some capacity since high school. I am so grateful to EO and EOA (Entrepreneur Organization Accelerator) I love the work of San Diego Oasis whose mission is to engage people in our community over the age of 50.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Nothing needs to be forced. This applies to just about everything – dating, work, buying a home. Things that are meant for you, will find you.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
South Carlsbad on the border of Encinitas.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I love that I can walk to McConnell’s from my house and walk home with an ice cream cone.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
I’d have family and friends over to celebrate Shabbat (a traditional meal for Jewish households that brings people together and brings “holiness” into the home. I usually participate in Torah study at my synagogue and since I didn’t grow up with a religious background, I have loved learning and seeing how the Torah applies to every day life. I would also do something physical like hiking. In a perfect world, I’d be joined by my kids or boyfriend (none of them like to hike with me). Dinner that evening and a comedy show with friends. Sunday would be brunch and another hike or SUP. SUP under the Coronado Bridge at sunset while there’s a live concert at the Embarcadero is definitely one of my pinnacle San Diego experiences!!
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Laughter, love, safety
