Hello, fellow ntwrkrs! I’m genuinely thrilled to share my story with you in this remarkable book, alongside so many distinguished women in the Network Marketing profession whom I deeply admire and respect. I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with you, and I hope that it will positively impact your life and help you become an even better leader in both your professional and personal life.

I’ve been involved in Network Marketing for nearly a decade now, and before that, I held high-level marketing positions in the natural health and fitness arena and have been a holistic health advocate, published writer, coach, athlete, and fitness competitor. Inspired by my late father, Charles, a certified executive chef, I combined my passions and started my own personal chef, nutrition, and meal-planning business many years ago.

I have resided in the beautiful Tampa Bay area of Florida for over twenty-six years, and I’m happily married to my soulmate and best friend, Dave, for nearly twenty years. Together, we’ve built and co-owned a boutique dental practice, share a passion for rescue dogs, and are now embarking on a new journey together in Network Marketing—helping others achieve their dreams.

I’m passionate about living a holistic lifestyle, healthy gourmet cooking, gardening, dancing, concerts, biking, nature, and everything the Florida lifestyle offers. But what truly brings me joy is helping others to overcome their past traumas, embrace their authentic selves, and find their unique strengths by sharing their stories in an empowering way.

You may wonder why you should listen to me about turning your traumatic past into an empowered future. Like many women, I’ve had to heal from a traumatic past, including childhood sexual abuse, to create the amazing life I have today.

Sharing my story on these pages has been a challenge, but I knew it was necessary to positively influence others and help create change in their lives. My belief is that everyone deserves to live life without feelings of unworthiness or shame. My dream is to help women of all ages embrace their traumas early on so they don’t endure the decades of torment that I experienced.

If you’ve faced trauma or hardships, know that you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to overcome the challenges in life and turn your pain into power and purpose. This subject is important because women need to know they can rewrite their narratives, embrace their authentic selves, and use their stories to inspire others.

Think of it this way: we are not defined by our past but instead refined by it. In this chapter, I’ll teach you to meet the woman you are today, find the lesson in your trauma, discover how to love yourself completely, unleash your inner warrior, and empower others through your journey.

So, who’s ready to dive in? Let’s do this together!

Meet The Woman You Are Today

Have you ever felt like you’re just getting by? I know I have. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of work and family responsibilities, forgetting to take a deep inward look. We often find ourselves merely surviving, not realizing we’re on autopilot.

We go through the motions but not the emotions, especially when in survival mode, without addressing our past traumas. We need to ask ourselves: what makes us who we are? What are our character strengths and beliefs that help us navigate life’s challenges? We often don’t take the time to understand why we fall into bad habits and patterns.

Instead, we keep repeating them. However, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can take control of our lives, thoughts, and actions, and become more intentional about our choices and decisions. And the best part is, understanding ourselves better can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

For me, this journey of self-discovery has been key to my success in my Network Marketing business. By understanding my strengths, I can help others do the same. The woman I am today is a result of all the trials and triumphs I’ve experienced. Every moment, good or bad, has shaped me.

This realization allows us to reframe experiences to heal and set ourselves on the right path toward freedom, self-love, and success, which includes our Network Marketing businesses. As we embrace our authentic selves and share our stories, we attract like-minded women into our businesses who share our core values and vision, ultimately becoming better leaders and role models.

Now, I’d like to share a story of overcoming unworthiness and starting anew. After a difficult childhood and adulthood, including a divorce, I found myself at thirty, leaving everything behind for the second time. I rented a small U-Haul with very few belongings and towed my car from Pennsylvania to the Gulf beaches of Florida without a plan or even a place to stay, but in my gut, I knew it was time to focus on my health, happiness, and wellness.

I soon found a small apartment near the beach and started working at a restaurant. I began running on the beach, training rigorously to feel better about myself. I became obsessed with fitness and loved my new beach life. Finally, I felt like I was finding myself. This led to a new career in health and fitness as an athlete, fitness competitor, and spokesmodel for a women’s worldwide fitness competition, as well as an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

As I trained for the competition, I never imagined being more than just a competitor. Then, I became the VP of marketing for this very competition—traveling across the country, attending numerous health expos, and promoting the event. I was even scheduled to be interviewed for Fox Sports News! And while this was certainly an exciting opportunity, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, even after all I’d accomplished, I didn’t deserve to be on television talking about the competition. 

I had achieved so much in the previous year, including organizing a charity event for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, procuring over 80 sponsors, organizing a trade show, creating marketing materials, and raising a significant amount of money. I was also featured on the front page of the Tampa Tribune Sports section and placed in the top twenty out of one hundred ninety-two women athletes at the competition! But still, no matter what I did or how much I accomplished, that nagging voice of imposter syndrome wouldn’t go away.

The day of the interview finally came, and I felt like a nervous and insecure wreck! However, that televised interview, which I initially felt was a disaster, ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me. It gave me the confidence to believe in myself and led to amazing opportunities. When I mustered the courage to watch the playback, I was surprised at how composed I appeared to be. That visual confirmation, along with listening to myself talk effortlessly about all I’d accomplished, finally cemented my belief in myself. 

I then became a nutrition and healthy eating influencer, featured in commercials and interviews, and wrote for health and fitness publications. I started my own personal chef and meal planning business, and I also represented a women’s fitness wear line. Looking back, I was able to recognize and celebrate my accomplishments, but it took inventory and self-reflection to realize my worthiness and reform my old beliefs. My mindset, self-love, and self-talk now began to reflect the woman I am today.

So, to meet the woman you are today, I encourage you to try the following action steps:

1. Sit somewhere quiet and write down a list of your achievements. It doesn’t matter if you think your accomplishments weren’t a big deal (even though I promise you, they were!). Write them down anyway!

2. Identify the strengths and qualities that allowed you to accomplish each one. When you’re done reflecting on your strengths, reach out to a friend or family member and ask them what they think your greatest strengths and achievements are. Do you notice any consistency?

3. Take ownership of the amazing things you’ve done. Accept the fact that yes—you really achieved those things, and they helped shape the woman you are today! Recognizing and embracing the woman you are today is essential for personal and professional growth. Reflecting on your achievements helps you move forward with confidence! Celebrate your journey and use it as a foundation to excel in life and business.

Find The Lesson In Your Trauma

Growing up, I was living what may have seemed like the American dream with a loving family in a beautiful neighborhood. We had a great life, but my parents struggled with alcoholism, which led to constant arguments and my father’s infidelity. Eventually, this took a toll on their marriage and our family.

I vividly remember coming home one day to find a “for sale” sign in our yard and being told by my parents that they were getting divorced. Back then, divorce was frowned upon, and as a result, we were ostracized from our community. Our lives quickly crumbled, and my mom, brother, nana, and I ended up living in a small duplex, separated into two apartments.

I was moved to a new school where I was bullied on a daily basis. My mother struggled to work full-time and provide for us. Things worsened when my mother remarried, and during this time, I became a victim of childhood sexual abuse. I blocked this trauma out to protect myself, but I can now clearly remember the day the darkness crept in.

The abuse started with what seemed like normal affection but turned into something no child should ever have to face. I was only eight or nine years old, and I felt shamed, dirty, violated, alone, and scared. The abuse happened in secret, and I felt isolated and too afraid to tell anyone. I began blaming my mother and I wanted to run far away from home. My mother always seemed angry about something, and I was terrified to tell her about the abuse. I prayed for help and a better life, which I now know I received.

At age eleven, I finally told my mother about the abuse, but she called me a liar and screamed at me. The house went silent, and this continued until we went to therapy. However, therapy brought more distress as my mother and the therapist disregarded my claims and insisted I was making up stories. I was labeled a bad girl, a liar, and promiscuous, which left me feeling sad, lonely, and unwanted.

I then started running away from home and got involved with the wrong crowd, turning to drugs and addiction to escape my pain. Despite my young age, I promised myself that I would break free from this toxic environment. I began working various jobs from the age of eleven and eventually became emancipated at fifteen.

I completed high school despite the odds, and even became a restaurant trainer by age seventeen. Surviving an abusive childhood gave me incredible strength and resilience. I’m sharing my story here with you to show how we can find lessons in our hardships and persevere.

Here are three steps to help you find the lesson in your trauma:

1. Find a safe space. Choose a calm and safe place to reflect on your experiences. It can be helpful to have trusted friends or family members with you for support. When I shared my past, God brought the right people into my life who truly cared about my well-being, like my husband, my friends, and even new online friendships with people I had never met in person.

2. Acknowledge your past. Confront your traumatic experiences and recognize that they don’t define who you are. Instead, focus on how you managed to survive those tough times.

3. Create a positive narrative. Shape a positive story about how you helped yourself through those difficult moments. You are incredible, and it’s important to remember that you are the author of your own life story and the director of your life’s movie. The way you frame your story is crucial and can make a significant difference. You have the power to rewrite it and portray yourself as the hero!

By following these steps, you can transform your perspective on your past and empower yourself to move forward with grace, strength, and resilience.

Love Yourself Completely

Many of us believe that we fully love ourselves, but in reality, we only embrace the positive aspects of our lives. True self-love, however, involves accepting and cherishing every part of ourselves, even during challenging times.

It’s easy to feel good about ourselves when we’re achieving our goals and everything is going smoothly. But what about when we face setbacks, make mistakes, or struggle with our mental health? It’s actually in these moments that self-love becomes crucial. Embracing all facets of ourselves, including our flaws and imperfections, is essential to living our lives fully. This means forgiving ourselves for our mistakes and being gentle with ourselves during tough times.

Practicing self-love starts with treating ourselves with kindness and compassion, just as we would a friend. We need to prioritize our own needs and care for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Additionally, it’s important to push back against negative self-talk and focus on our strengths and achievements.

Self-love is a journey that takes time and effort. It’s about learning to love ourselves unconditionally and recognizing our worth. As we embark on this important journey, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities.

My personal road to self-love has been challenging. I endured childhood abuse, unhealthy relationships, and I struggled with self-worth. I found myself in a cycle of abuse and self-sabotage. At nineteen, I reached a breaking point and decided to change my life. I moved away from my hometown and started anew.

In my new life, I finally began to face the pain and trauma of my past. I started sharing my experiences and embracing them as part of my journey. This process allowed me to develop incredible survival skills and I finally believed that I deserved better.

By following four action steps, you can also embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-love:

1. Find a safe space. Reflect on all aspects of yourself, including those you typically avoid or view negatively.

2. Embrace your experiences. Accept that your unique experiences are part of your journey. Find value and strength in them.

3. Give thanks. Appreciate the lessons learned from your experiences and recognize how they’ve shaped you into the strong woman you are today.

4. Reconnect with your inner child. Offer love and support to the younger version of yourself. Promise to protect her worth and value.
   

Your unique experiences and stories can serve as a survival guide for others. Embracing your past and learning to love yourself completely can inspire others to do the same.

Unleash Your Inner Warrior

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by negative self-talk or doubt? If so, it’s time to tap into your inner strength and arm yourself with resilience. This metaphorical armor protects you from the harmful effects of negative thinking and helps you move forward in life.

For me, the armor of God is what works best. In other words, I surround myself with positive affirmations, engage in prayer and meditation, and make sure to stand firm in my beliefs. Your armor, however, might look different. It could involve setting boundaries with toxic individuals or practicing daily self-care.

The key is to find what empowers you and keeps you strong. You were born to be a leader. Don’t let negative self-talk or doubt hold you back, and remember to embrace your inner strength and protect yourself. You’ve got this.

However, I understand that maintaining self-love can be challenging when negative thoughts and criticism creep back in. It’s essential to recognize and protect yourself from these harmful thoughts and old habits that can hinder your progress and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a leader. I refer to this as putting on your armor of God, which includes strategies and practices to ward off negativity.

I was once at a conference as an attendee when the CEO unexpectedly called me on stage to share my story. This caught me off guard, and I was instantly filled with fear and doubt. As I approached the stage, trembling and with a quivering voice, I turned inward, took a deep breath, and prayed for the right words. My goal was to resonate with at least one person and make a positive impact in their life.

On that stage, I shared my story of my father’s recent passing, the depression I faced afterward, and how I eventually found my way back to feeling good again. The response was overwhelming, and I received applause, hugs, and tears. One person even thanked me for helping them. In that moment, I knew it was all worth it, and I felt God working through me. Despite feeling unsure of myself, listening to the recording afterward allowed me to appreciate the authenticity and flow of my words.

In the past, when speaking on stages, I often felt disingenuous because my focus was mainly on promoting a product or an event rather than openly sharing my personal experiences. However, this time, I spoke authentically from my heart, sharing a deeply personal story about my father’s passing and my journey through grief. This vulnerability had a profound impact on those who approached me afterward.

Unfortunately, self-doubt and negative thoughts crept back in shortly after that, attempting to shake my belief in my own story and worthiness to be on that stage. It became crucial for me to put on my armor and fiercely combat these negative voices to protect my newfound way of life. My armor consists of various practices such as prayer, breathwork exercises, meditation, positive affirmations, motivating self-talks, visualization, journaling, and honest self-reflection.

Here are four actionable steps to unleash your inner warrior and strengthen your own armor:

1. Surround yourself with positivity. Build a supportive network of people who inspire, encourage, and motivate you. Distance yourself from negative influences and seek motivation from mentors, coaches, or experts in personal growth.

2. Set boundaries and nurture yourself. Learn to say no and set limits to maintain your well-being. Recognize your trigger points and arm yourself with knowledge of your strengths to overcome negative self-talk.

3. Establish a positive daily routine. Create healthy habits for your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Consistent practice leads to growth and resilience, strengthening your inner warrior.

4. Embrace forgiveness. Forgiving yourself and others frees you from past hurt and trauma. Forgiveness is a gift to yourself, allowing you to move forward in life and heal.

By following these steps, you can protect yourself from negativity and embrace a life of positivity and growth. Remember, your story and voice are meant to be heard and can inspire others on their journey to self-love and acceptance.

Empower Others Through Your Journey

Empowering others through your journey means reaching out to those who might not be as far along in their own path. By sharing your experiences, knowledge, and authentic stories, you can support and guide others to reach their full potential. This not only contributes to their growth but also enhances your own Network Marketing business.

A key aspect of personal leadership is perseverance. It’s important to stay committed and not let internal doubts or external negativity deter you from achieving your goals. By staying true to your path, you become an inspiration to others. Your ability to overcome obstacles and remain resilient sets a positive example, encouraging others to believe in their own potential.

For me, empowering others means using my experiences, including overcoming childhood sexual abuse, to inspire and uplift those around me. I no longer let these experiences define or hold me back. Instead, I use them as a source of strength and as stepping stones to thrive in both my personal life and my Network Marketing business.

Sharing your unique and authentic journey can have a powerful impact on others in your Network Marketing community. By persevering, you become a source of inspiration, encouraging others to do the same. 

You might be surprised to hear that there was a time last year when I almost quit Network Marketing. I faced challenges with companies and colleagues that didn’t align with my core values, and my father’s declining health and passing made me pause and reflect on my life. During this period, I slipped into depression. However, a friend introduced me to a new product that reignited my passion for life and Network Marketing. This experience led me to align with a company and community that resonated with my values and mission. It also opened up an opportunity to contribute to this book, allowing me to reach and help others in a new way by sharing my unique and authentic story.

Despite the painful yet transformative experiences that brought me here, I am grateful for this journey. It’s amazing how opportunities arise when you align with your true self and purpose and never give up. By using your personal journey as a tool to uplift others, you not only contribute to their growth but also find fulfillment in making a difference in their lives.

Here are three action steps to empower others through your journey:

1. Understand that your story is important for others to hear and relate to. Even if you think there’s no one out there who could connect with your story, I promise—hearing your story will be the ‘lightbulb moment’ for at least one person in the world!
2. Find people and opportunities that align with your core values. When you find a company and team that speaks to the things you hold most dear in life, plant yourself there. They will be the soil, sun, and water that will allow you to grow, blossom, and impact others.
3. Use those platforms to be authentic and honest. When you feel safe in an organization, you can be vulnerable, empowering others with the truth of your story.

4. Share your journey with others as a tool to connect and inspire. Don’t be afraid to be authentically you and share your story with the world. Your story matters, and it’s time to share it. 

As this chapter comes to a close, let’s review what we’ve learned. We’ve been inspired to embrace the women we are today, find the lesson from our trauma, love ourselves completely, unleash our inner warrior, and empower others through our journey.

I never imagined that I would be sharing my experiences in a book, or that my stories would have an impact, but I know that if I can help even one person see their life in a positive light despite the challenges, then it has all been worthwhile! Everyone has a story to share, and it’s important to learn from our experiences, view them positively, and be willing to share them with others. Applying what you’ve learned here in your life can be a transformative experience, both personally and in your Network Marketing business, as it has been for me.

Remember: the traumatic events of our past don’t define us, they refine us!

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your time and for this safe space that has allowed me to share my vulnerable past and the future I have built for myself. I learned that it’s possible to move from merely surviving to thriving by following these steps.

If any aspect of my story resonates with you, please know that you are not alone, and you can indeed turn your life into your own success story. I’m cheering for you, supporting you, and sending you love. Take care, and may God continue to bless you on your journey.