Finding My Voice: A Journey from the Shadows
Sometimes we don’t realize how quietly our own voice fades until life hands us a mirror. For me, that mirror came in the form of a surprising retreat—and a conversation with my daughter that changed everything.
The Turning Point: A Retreat in Belize
At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom with five kids, living the life I had always known. I had so much to be grateful for—yet I felt stuck and a little lost in my own story. I felt like I had something to say but didn’t know how to say it—or who would even listen. My relationships, especially with my kids, felt more distant than I ever intended.
For our 20th anniversary, my husband asked permission for me to attend a business retreat with him. on a beautiful island in Belize. But there was one catch: In order to attend, I had to participate in the program. I agreed–because–island in Belize…!!! I assumed I would be able to hide behind my husband at the event, but I would soon discover that I would actually step out of my comfort zone in ways I never had before.
At first, I pretended to participate—going through the motions, staying safe. Until the moment I was “forced” to step on stage and use my voice to perform a solo skit in front of everyone!. I truly thought I might die from the exposure. I now jokingly–but accurately–call it a “snot bubble” moment. I wanted to disappear– or swim off the island.
I don’t remember what I said or how I did it—but I remember exactly how I felt when it was over.
The world seemed brighter. I could breathe, really breathe—maybe for the first time in my life. And I knew right then: I wanted to feel that free every day for the rest of my life.
A Daughter’s Words: The Catalyst for Deeper Change
I came home with a renewed sense of self. But that doesn’t mean everything was suddenly perfect. In fact, the very challenges I was facing before I left were still there—waiting for me when I returned.
One of the most painful truths was realizing how my children had been watching me closely. Each of them, in their own way, reflected back to me that they had learned to struggle with self-worth by watching me. The most piercing moment came when my daughter said, “I learned to hate myself by watching you.”
It was a heartbreaking realization—that the messages we think we’re hiding are often the ones most clearly seen by those we love.
That moment sparked a deeper commitment in me. I made a vow to do something every day that scared me. I was done letting fear define me. I was the only one in my way. And it was time to step out—fully.
From Transformation to Sharing the Journey
I didn’t just want change—I committed to it. And I knew I couldn’t do it alone. So I found a coach who could hold up a mirror to my blind spots and support me when I wanted to retreat. That support made all the difference. I began facing fears, naming my desires, and reconnecting with parts of myself I had long silenced.
Over time, I created what became the VOICE program—a path born from my own healing journey. I felt deeply called to help other women reconnect to their virtue, their passion, and their purpose.
And then—something shifted in a way I hadn’t expected. I had a spiritual impression, a download so clear it stopped me in my tracks:
“You need to speak for the silent sufferer.”
That one sentence became a mission. It reminded me of the woman I once was—capable, busy, loving, yet quietly unraveling inside. And I knew I had to use my voice to reach her.
That calling, and the ongoing transformation it sparked, led me first to coaching, then to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and now to pursue a PhD in Family Therapy. Each step has been guided, not just by professional goals, but by something deeper—by a promise I made to myself on that retreat stage in Belize.
A Decade Later: A Story That Still Speaks
That promise—and the path it opened—eventually led to an invitation to share my story in the book A Journey of Riches. And now, ten years later, that same story has become part of a documentary. It’s surreal to see that moment captured on film—a reminder of how far we can come when we choose to step into our own light.
Invitation to the Reader
I invite you to reflect on your own journey. Maybe you’ve hidden parts of your voice without realizing it. Maybe you’re just beginning to search for it. Wherever you are, please know—it is never too late to rewrite your story.
I hope you’ll watch the documentary, join me in this conversation, and take those brave steps toward discovering your voice.
You can watch the full documentary here: The Gift in Adversity
