"From the Shadows to the Spotlight: Finding My Voice and Reclaiming My Dreams"

Growing up in a small town, I always felt awkward, out of place, and waaay too tall. By eighth grade, I stood at 5'10", towering over just about everyone. As if being a teenager wasn’t hard enough, my lanky limbs and height screamed “overachiever” when all I wanted was to blend in with the crowd.

The teasing came with the territory—kids can be brutally creative. I heard things like, “You’re so flat the walls are jealous!” and “How’s the weather up there?” So, I did what a lot of girls do. I shrank myself. Not literally (believe me, I tried that too), but in all the ways that hurt.

A Childhood Without Dreamers

My parents, bless their hearts, weren’t dreamers. Stability was their goal. My dad worked the same factory job for 45 years, painting motors. My mom made sure we got to school on time and came home to a warm meal. We never owned a home—they believed that was for rich people, not us.

Big dreams just weren’t part of our world. I was encouraged to get good grades and go to college to become a good secretary. So, my sisters and I did what we were told: we studied, stayed out of trouble, and waited for the day we could move out and start living.

When Opportunity Knocks… Twice

After high school, something unexpected happened. An opportunity to model came my way. For once, my height was an asset. Agencies wanted to sign me. The possibility of working in Paris felt like a dream. But my parents said no—it was risky, foolish, unrealistic. So, I turned it down.

A few years later, a chance to model in Japan came up. This time, it was a boyfriend who stood in the way. "If you go, we’re done", he said. So, I stayed. Once again, I let other people’s fears and insecurities become my own. And just like that, I put my dreams back on the shelf.

The Cycle of Shrinking

That’s when the real cycle began. I started believing I wasn’t meant to do anything extraordinary. I thought I was supposed to play it safe, stay small, and support others from the sidelines. I dated guys who saw my ambition as a threat, and each relationship reinforced the lie that I wasn’t meant to lead—I was meant to assist.

When I became a single mom at 25, I figured dreaming would have to wait. My daughter became my world, and everything else faded to the background.

The Invisible Partner

Then I met my husband. When we married, he already owned a financial services business. He had a larger-than-life personality and big dreams—writing books, becoming a speaker, and hosting a radio show. And I supported him every step of the way.

Behind the scenes, I built his websites, edited his books, produced his show, and made his visions a reality. I convinced myself that was enough. That I didn’t need the spotlight. That I belonged in the background. But deep down, something was stirring.

A Spark Longing to Catch Fire

Over time, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I didn’t just want to be known as someone’s supportive wife. I wanted to be recognized for my own work—my own growth, creativity, and contribution. There was a spark inside me longing to catch fire—not as an extension of someone else’s dream, but something solely mine.

I’m so thankful for the last 20 years of working alongside my husband. Those years gave me space to learn, build, explore, and grow. I became a one-woman creative powerhouse, equipped with skills I never imagined I’d have.

And now—I want more.

I Am Here. I Am Ready.

So here I am, standing tall (all 5'10" of me), not just physically but emotionally, spiritually, and creatively. I’m embracing the fear, the difference, and the dreamer inside me.

This is my declaration: I exist. I am here. I am ready to make an impact. And friend, if you’ve ever felt like your aspirations were too big, too different, or too late—I want to tell you, they’re not.

Three Steps to Overcoming Insecurities

1. Own Your Story

Even the awkward, cringey moments made you who you are. Those insecurities might have shaped parts of your life, but they don’t get to write your future. You do.

2. Find Your Tribe

Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Ditch the energy vampires who constantly drain you. Look for those who lift you up, cheer you on, and remind you that you’re made for more.

3. Take Action

Feel the fear—but don’t let it rule you. Start small. Take a baby step. Even the tiniest action can begin to break those self-imposed limits.

We all have an inner voice calling us out of the shadows. Insecurities and limiting beliefs might tell you to stay quiet, to stay small. But now is the time to dream big and live unapologetically.

If you’re feeling even a little inspired reading this, it’s because I finally stepped out of my insecurity to share it with you.

So go ahead—take the leap. There’s more inside you than you realize.