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Susan Houck – Ashland Inc. Nearly 14 years ago, Susan Houck received a diagnosis she never expected to hear. “I learned I had breast cancer,” notes Susan, an HR specialist for Ashland Inc. in Lexington. “It was a surprise, because there was no history of it in my family, and I’ve always tried to live a healthy lifestyle.” Susan battled the disease for the next fi ve years, until receiving a clean bill of health. Then she had yet another struggle to face. “As a result of chemo, I’d gained weight,” Susan notes. “I tried to take it off alone for about fi ve years. Then I joined Weight Watchers® and lost about 50 pounds through diet and exercise.” After achieving her goal, Susan quit Weight Watchers, thinking she could maintain her success on her own. “Gradually, the weight crept back, and I realized my lifestyle needed to change,” she says. Accepting that challenge wasn’t all that daunting, once she made up her mind. Fact is, Susan likes a good challenge. “It’s one of the things I enjoy most about my job, which involves resolving compensation concerns and questions for employees at Ashland manufacturing facilities across the nation,” says Susan, who played competitive softball for decades beyond her high school years as well. Since accepting that self-imposed challenge, Susan has lost 35 pounds, and the trim, healthy 54-year-old is working on a black belt in karate. She begins her day with exercise, walking before work, and she exercises in the company gym on breaks. “Some Saturdays, I come in and work with weights, and in the evenings, I’ll walk two-to-four miles or work out at the karate studio. Age doesn’t bother me at all,” she says. “I’m healthier now than before I had cancer.” Susan feels fortunate to work for a company that supports and encourages employee health. “That’s why they provide a gym,” she says. “We also have good benefi ts, and now they’re offering help for employees to stop smoking. Ashland wants us to be healthy – healthy employees are happier and more productive. “The cancer opened my eyes to the fact that you need to live life to the fullest,” Susan adds. “You only have one life and one body, and you need to take care of it.” Susan is an Ironton, Ohio, native, but has lived in Kentucky nearly as long as Ohio. She and husband Don, along with their “babies,” Dudley, a rescued, miniature poodle; and Mayce, who’s half poodle/half dachshund, live in Lexington. In addition to exercise, she loves the TV show Survivor. “I’ve tried to get on that show three times!” she says. Susan also enjoys singing in her church choir, at Southland Christian, Lexington. She is a 30-year employee of Kentucky-based Ashland Inc., a diversified, global chemical company with customers in more than 100 countries. Susan welcomes contact from anyone recently diagnosed with breast cancer. “If I can help just one person get through it, it would mean a lot,” she says. Contact Susan at: houck@qx.net. Susan’s List of Favorites Sport – Baseball More Cool People: |
