When I left corporate three years ago, I couldn’t have fully imagined the ways my story would continue to unfold. I knew I wanted freedom. I knew I wanted to help women reclaim their sparkle. But I didn’t realize how powerful it would be to stand on a stage, in my hometown of Ashland, KY, and share the very stories that once felt too heavy to carry.
It was a true full-circle moment.
Growing up in Flatwoods, Ky, (near Ashland), I pictured myself as the woman with the microphone, speaking to a room full of leaders, professionals, and dreamers…but not like this. Not sharing intimate details of my shero story. But as I drove to the conference that morning, on a road I had been on hundreds of times…. I realized something: every hard chapter I once wanted to hide has become a bridge to connection.
That day, and often after I speak, women will approach me with tears, gratitude, and their own stories. And I am reminded that when we own our story, we create space for others to own theirs.
Maya Angelou said it best: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
In a world that often tries to quiet women’s voices …. whether through politics, culture, or the weight of unrealistic expectations … choosing to tell your truth is an act of courage and defiance. It is how we break cycles. It is how we heal. It is how we thrive.
Being able to be a speaker at a prestigious conference in Ashland, my roots all around me, and feeling both humbled and empowered … was an affirmation…my story isn’t perfect, but it’s mine. And the most powerful thing I can do is keep sharing it.
✨ My challenge to you: What story have you been carrying that the world needs to hear? What truth, if spoken aloud, might set you free …. and give someone else permission to shine?
