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This month, I did something truly challenging. It was a monumental moment in my journey, and most importantly, it was an honor.

When I decided to venture out on my own, I quickly discovered opportunities that aligned with sharing my story. As someone who thrives in front of an audience and enjoys provoking thought, I realized there were people who needed to hear what I had to say. It’s fascinating how aspects of my life that once filled me with shame have now become powerful messages that can help others.

Public speaking has allowed me to transform my pain into purpose.

So, when Women Leading Kentucky invited me to be their morning keynote speaker at the annual Business and Leadership Conference, I humbly accepted. My initial reaction was, “What do I have to offer?”

To find out what would resonate most, I spoke with several women of different ages and backgrounds, asking them, “What is it you need to hear? What would set the best tone for your day at this conference?” Their response was clear and unanimous: “Share your story. It will mean more than anything else.”

I could have easily spoken about my rise to an executive director position, the nuances of professionalism, or the importance of women uplifting each other. But instead, I chose to be vulnerable. I chose to leave it all on the stage and share my deeply personal stories—my journey through fertility challenges and my decision to leave the corporate world.

I practiced relentlessly, rehearsing in front of a mirror more than a dozen times. I recorded myself, taking my rehearsals seriously, often finding tears welling up as I faced the mirror. While I consider myself a seasoned professional speaker, I had never had this much time or this large of an audience to share the most intimate parts of my life story.

But I’m so glad I did.

The reward was profound. Multiple women approached me afterward in tears, sharing their own fertility struggles or asking if they could share my story with someone they knew who was battling similar challenges. The connection was immediate and deeply moving.

As I reflect on this remarkable milestone, I ask myself: Would I have done anything differently? Yes, perhaps a few tweaks in the message and more reflective questions could have added depth. But overall, I wouldn’t change the essence of what I shared. I’m grateful I chose to be my most vulnerable self and put it all out there.

Maya Angelou captured this perfectly when she said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” As women, we need to share our stories more, and we don’t have to be professional motivational speakers to do so.

We never truly know what another person is carrying. The world still expects us to conform to outdated societal norms and expectations, many of which no longer serve us. But in sharing our stories, in being open and vulnerable, we challenge these norms and create spaces for genuine connection and healing.