When I Finally Challenged the Voices That Weren’t Mine

There’s a moment in healing when you realize the story you’ve been telling yourself didn’t actually begin with you.

As I gathered testimonials from nearly 400 women who have attended HOPE events since 2013, I came face to face with a truth I had avoided for years.

My imposter syndrome wasn’t just about money, debt, or doing things imperfectly. It was rooted in something deeper.

Early on, a few people said to me out loud that no one attended my events because of me. That they came for the honorees, the speakers, the other women—but not for me.

Those words stayed.

They followed me into planning meetings, late nights, moments of exhaustion, and seasons of healing. Even though only one or two people said them, those were the voices that echoed the loudest.

And yet I kept creating.

I was healing from trauma while building.
Navigating identity while leading.
Learning while doing.

The testimonials reminded me of something healing has been teaching me all along:
It can only be one of two things.

Either I did nothing…
Or I did something extraordinary and allowed a few negative voices to define the narrative.

Wisdom true wisdom helps us discern the difference.

The Bible says, “In all your getting, get understanding.” And understanding has allowed me to separate truth from trauma, fact from fear.

As we prepare for HOPE’s 20th Celebration, I am no longer allowing a handful of voices to outweigh years of impact.

And if you’re reading this and carrying a similar wound this is your permission to work through that healing too.

Don’t let a few voices write a story that your life does not support.