Roots of Resilience

How Sharing Stories Sparks Healing

In 2017, I was given the extraordinary opportunity to participate in a leadership program that would change my life. It wasn’t the kind of program you’d expect to find in a corporate setting. Titles and company names were left at the door, and the focus shifted inward—to the people behind the roles. Over the course of nine months, this program and the incredible participants in it created a brave space where I could share parts of my life story for the first time outside of my family. What unfolded in that room was nothing short of transformational.

In sharing deeply personal and profound moments from my life, such as surviving sexual assaults at 12 years old, I began to rediscover my humanity. It was the start of what I now call my mindful journey of self-discovery. I shed the proverbial armor I had worn for most of my life and embraced kindness and radical empathy—not just for others, but for myself. The more I shared, the more I realized how many people, especially women, had survived traumatic events but remained stuck in places where they couldn’t fully reclaim what was taken from them. I saw how their humanity had been stripped away, leaving them unable to move from surviving to thriving. It was during this program that I discovered my “why”—my kernel of power: to plant seeds of knowledge so that others can flourish in their journey to become the best versions of themselves.

THE POWER OF VULBERABILITY AND BELONGING

One of the program’s most impactful moments happened on the very first day. Each participant was asked to introduce themselves by answering five deeply personal questions, one of which was, “What is your most unique life experience to date?” One person leaned into their vulnerability, sharing that they were a parent who had lost a child to suicide. That single act of courage created a palpable shift in the room. It was as though the air thickened with trust, and we all felt an unspoken invitation to go deeper. Over the following months, the connections we formed were unlike anything I had ever experienced, not just in a professional environment, but in life. I learned more about those people than I knew about some friends and family members.

It was in that space that I came to understand the profound impact of true belonging. We so rarely take the time to form deep, meaningful connections, and yet those connections are vital to our humanity. They allow us to see the common threads in our stories and to support each other in ways that are transformative. It was also in this space that I first shared my experiences with a broader audience and realized the power of storytelling to inspire healing and change.

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP AND HUMANIZING WORK

For much of my professional life, I followed the outdated playbook many women were handed early in their careers: suppress your emotions, separate work and personal life, hustle harder than everyone else. I wore the power suits, carried my own bags, and rarely checked luggage on a business trip, because guys don't that. I spent years wearing a mask and compartmentalizing my life, believing that’s what success required.

The leadership program shattered that illusion. I realized that work is not separate from life; it is part of our human experience. True leadership is not about control but about connection. It’s about leading with kindness and empathy, creating spaces where people can show up as they are. These realizations led me to make a career shift into consulting, where I could share my knowledge and help organizations build better team with servant leaders at the helm. It was the first big step toward recognizing my deeper calling—to live a life in service to others.

A MISSION BORN FROM HEALING

In late 2020, the leadership program that had transformed my life invited me to become an instructor. As part of the training, I had to share my life story in a 60-minute keynote. Three members of my original class came to support me, a truly humbling act of friendship. Afterward, audience members shared their gratitude, and some shared more. One person told me that hearing my story about surviving sexual assault gave her the words to explain her own experience for the first time; she started therapy shortly after. Another shared that my story inspired her to get her husband into rehab.

Another powerful moment came more recently during a women’s panel on building connections at work. The discussion continued well past the formal session, with many women staying afterward to share their own experiences. It was an honor to facilitate those moments of vulnerability and connection, and it reinforced my belief in the importance of creating brave spaces where stories can be shared and healing can begin.

BUILDING COMMUNITY AND RECLAIMING THE DEVINE FEMININE

Trauma can rob us of so much: our self-worth, our connection to our bodies, and often our ability to trust and connect with others. For women, the aftermath often includes feelings of guilt, shame, and a hyper-independence that isolates us further. I’ve come to understand through my own journey that healing requires more than just reclaiming what was taken—it requires breaking the cycles that keep us stuck and creating spaces where we can reconnect with ourselves and with others.

This is why I’m so inspired by the history of women’s circles. These gatherings, which have existed across cultures for centuries, were spaces for connection, shared wisdom, and storytelling. Today, we’ve lost much of that spirit, but I believe we can reclaim it. By fostering a community where women feel safe to share their stories and support one another, we can begin to break down the barriers of guilt and shame. Together, we can reconnect with the divine feminine—that wild, resilient, and free energy that has always been within us.

Healing is not about a single solution; it’s about discovering what works for you in this moment and recognizing that the tools you lean on will evolve over time. For me, that has included self-discovery exercises, meditation, journaling, creative expression, and most importantly, community. This is about more than healing—it’s about thriving, together.

Through OakRoot HX, I envision growing this sense of connection—starting with online communities, Wisdom Wednesday posts, and blogs that create a foundation for shared stories and collective healing. As the community evolves, I hope it will inspire important conversations and reflections. I’ve had fathers tell me that hearing my story opened their eyes to the challenges their daughters might face and encouraged them to create spaces for honest dialogue and connection. While OakRoot HX is dedicated to supporting women, I believe these ripple effects—fathers learning, daughters feeling seen—are part of the broader healing we can achieve. At its core, the community is about women supporting one another, sharing stories, and fostering growth through collective wisdom.

A FLOURISHING LEGACY

OakRoot HX represents more than just a vision; it’s a hopeful legacy built for countless women. By empowering women to heal and thrive, the community has the potential to create lasting change that echoes across generations. Imagine a world where women, even in the face of adversity, are equipped to reclaim their humanity, share their stories, and foster collective growth. Together, we can build something extraordinary—a legacy rooted in resilience, connection, and transformation. 

Are you ready to flourish? Join our OakRoot community, where your story matters, your growth is nurtured, and together we thrive.