Women Who Inspire | Darlene Santore, Stroke Thriver
This October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Naboso is spotlighting women who embody strength, resilience, and the spirit of community. Today, we are honored to feature Darlene “Coach Dar” Santore, CEO and Stroke Thriver.
A Journey That Changed Everything
Coach Dar’s life has been shaped by overcoming extraordinary challenges, including three strokes, the loss of both parents, and moments of deep personal adversity. Each experience could have been the end of her story, but instead, they became the foundation of her calling.
“I’ve learned what it truly means to get back up, stronger and wiser, and to use pain as fuel for purpose,” she shares. "These experiences ignited a passion to help others harness their own strength and rise above life’s toughest obstacles."
Reframing Life and Business
Facing such profound challenges has given Coach Dar a unique sense of urgency. “When you’ve been told you might not have tomorrow, you start living today differently. I refuse to play small,” she says.
In her work with athletes, CEOs, and leaders, she doesn’t just coach resilience—she embodies it. Her business goes beyond performance; it’s about unlocking human potential and helping others maintain their mental edge in every aspect of life.
Staying Grounded Through It All
Daily rituals are key to Coach Dar’s resilience. She starts each morning by fueling her mind with inspiration—through scripture, podcasts, or music—and hones her discipline through workouts, journaling, and reflection. Reframing challenges is also central to her approach. “Resilience isn’t about ignoring pain; it’s about facing it and turning it into power,” she says.
The Inspiration to Keep Going
Coach Dar draws strength from faith, mission, and the people she serves. She reflects on her mother’s example of enduring hardship with grace and grit, and she thinks of the athletes, leaders, and women who rely on her guidance. “As long as I have breath, I have purpose,” she says.
Lessons for Women Everywhere
Her message to women is clear: you are stronger than you think. Life’s losses, setbacks, and health challenges are opportunities to rise—not back to who you were, but forward into who you’re meant to become.
Creating Impact Beyond Herself
What began as a private coaching practice has grown into a platform for global impact. Through speaking, writing, and coaching, Coach Dar influences not only individuals but entire organizations and cultures. She partners with initiatives like Pay It Forward Day to spread messages of hope, leadership, and transformation—ensuring her impact extends far beyond herself.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs Facing Adversity
Coach Dar encourages women to embrace hardship as a tool for growth. “Don’t be afraid of ‘hard.’ Lean into it. Hardships aren’t meant to break you, they’re meant to build you,” she says. Her advice: take micro-moments of rest, reframe challenges as opportunities, stay true to your mission, and trust that what’s meant for you will come.
To learn more about Coach Dar’s work, visit www.coachdar.com.
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A percent of all sales from our limited-edition Pink Neuro Ball and Pink Neuro Stick will go directly to The Singletons, a local Phoenix charity dedicated to supporting families of loved ones with cancer. Together, we’re making every step count.
Check out the pink collection at www.naboso.com