A serious illness taught this oncologist to seize the day. At 41, she’s taking more chances than she ever thought she could.
Name: Paula O'Connor
Born: 8/16/65
Status: Single
Occupation: Oncologist
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Q. What inspired you to enter the MORE/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search?
A. Last year, I was very sick, and one of the things that I've learned is that you only get one go-around to make this life what you want it to be. So I wanted to try something that I had never done before. I think that the hardest part of being over 40 is that you've got all this life experience, and there are clearly some doors that seem like they're closed, but it's really up to you to try to open them.
Q. If you could go back and speak to your 25-year-old self, what advice would you give her?
A. I would tell myself to take more chances, to be brave. Recognize that you live your life every single day, and you get something from not only the successes, but also the challenges and the perceived failures. I think that you get something from every experience that you have, so the more experiences you have, the better. You just have to have enough faith in yourself to take some chances.
Q. What won't you ever give up, no matter what your age?
A. Three things. One would be my love for playing tennis. I can see myself doing that for as long as my knees will hold out. Another is traveling the world. And a third would be reading, to tell you the truth. I like the ability to go beyond my day-to-day life by seeing what else is out there. Reading gives you the opportunity to do that.
And, I'll always love shoes.
Originally published on MORE.com, February 2007.
