I Am Unbreakable® Magazine Fall 2025

Hey Rockstars!

You didn’t just pick up a magazine. You picked up a movement.

Welcome to I Am Unbreakable®—where bold women rise, truth takes the mic, and every page is proof that the struggle isn’t a setback—it’s the training ground.

This isn’t a publication for the polished or perfect. It’s a platform for the women still building, still breaking barriers, and still showing up when the world says “not yet.” Inside, you’ll meet founders ho turned failure into fuel, mothers who transformed pain into purpose, and leaders rewriting the rules with every move they make.

These stories don’t exist to inspire you—they’re here to ignite you. To remind you that:

• Your story holds power—especially the parts you were told to hide.

• Confidence isn’t born. It’s built.

• Rejection is redirection—and rock bottom is often the beginning.

We are more than a magazine—we are a resilience engine. A global platform where unfiltered stories meet tactical strategy. You’ll find real talk about reinvention, c onfidence, leadership, healing, branding, motherhood, burnout, breakthroughs, and the business of building something that lasts.

Expect:

• Unfiltered interviews with powerhouse women who’ve faced itall—and still rose

• Straight-shooting strategies from leaders scaling with clarity and conviction

• Behind-the-scenes access to The Power of the Pitch, The Power of I Am Summit, and more

• Spotlights on founders and SupportHERs making generational waves

• Real conversations about trauma, triumph, and taking your seat at the table This is the ecosystem of unbreakable women. The ones still in the climb. Still rising. Still becoming. If you’re here, that means you’re one of us.

So take up space. Pitch big. Write loud. Show up—exactly as you are.

Because this was built for the woman who whispers “I can’t”—but shows up anyway.

Let this issue be your reminder: You are not broken. You are breaking through. Welcome to the front row.

Let’s turn the page—and the narrative

To Fitting In, Or Not

JORDANA GOLDLIST

Iam often asked to speak on panels or at conferences aimed at convincing students from diverse backgrounds that they belong in the legal profession. I am expected to tell these young people, often eager, and often women, that the legal profession welcomes everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, economic background, or personal history. I typically feel like the message that I am supposed to be pushing is that everyone fits in, that everyone has a place, that every voice is heard, that every person belongs.

While all of that might be true, I think that there are some people who will never believe it. I am one of them. I think that some people might never feel like they fit in to the professional spaces they aspire to enter and I think some of those people may do better because they do not belong in the spaces they have positioned themselves. I say this as someone who has spent the last 17 years in a profession I happily do not fit in to.

After spending three years as a civil litigator, I decided to follow my passion and pursue a career in criminal law. It has

now been fifteen years since I made the switch, and I could not imagine working another role in this profession. For the last 10 years, I have owned my own firm, JHG Criminal Law, a boutique firm that specializes in high-risk criminal litigation. This means defending people charged with drug trafficking, firearms offences, homicides, and crimes involving serious violence.

In addition to my law practice, I have a social media following totaling more 150,000; I have a TEDx Talk with well over a quarter million views; and I am the host of a Podcast called

“Who Judges The Judge?” I also have a scholarship program for law students at Osgoode Hall and Windsor Law School called Vs. AllOdds, providing financial support to students who have overcome extreme adversity and somehow made it to law school, against all odds.

I have achieved a measure of success beyond anything I had imagined when I began this journey in September 2004. I was 25 years old when I walked into my first class at Osgoode Hall Law School and I knew right away that I did not belong. I looked around the room and saw what I believed to be a sea of private school educated elites, kids with a mom and a dad in a nice home in a nice neighbourhood. Kids who had probably only experienced a courtroom on a classroom field trip.

That was not me.

I entered my first courtroom when I was a child, about 7 years old, and I was there because a family member was charged with a crime. For a year and a half, the lawyer hired by my family seemed like the most important person in the world. When he called, the entire house was silenced. If there was a meeting with the lawyer, nothing could interfere. At the end of the case, when the charges were dropped, the lawyer was my family’s hero. And he remained that way for years to come.

I wanted that. I wanted to be that important to someone else’s family. I wanted to help other people and their families. And I wanted to make a lot of money doing it. I didn’t grow up with money and life did not come easy for my parents. And it got a whole lot worse as I progressed from child to teenager.

I started acting out at home and at school at the age of 12. The day after I turned 14, my mom sent me to a group home called Youthdale. I stayed there for 21 months, despite running away twice. I graduated from Youthdale with a drug addiction that took me down hard and fast: from marijuana to mushrooms to meth to cocaine to crack, by the time I was 16 years old. I was arrested twice for drug related offences and spent 4 days in solitary confinement at the Vanier Correctional Centre before turning 17. I dropped out of school and left home the next year, opting for street life and becoming a junkie before the age of 18. It took a near fatal overdose for me to reconsider my choices and another five months after that to commit to rehab.

At 20 years old, I fought my way to sobriety, and back into my home and school. I graduated high school at 21 and earned an entrance scholarship to York University with the idea that I should be educated but without any direction on what I might do. I thought for sure the last decade of my life was going to stop me from being a lawyer. I truly believed that no law firm would hire someone like me, someone with my history, which I believed that anyone who looked at me could see. I majored in Philosophy because I loved it and would worry about career paths later. Except later came quick and before I knew it, I was in my third year of university wondering what was next.

In my final year of undergrad, I applied to do my Masters in Philosophy knowing that I would get in and I applied to law school just to say that I had tried. My applications were sent out in the fall of 2003. I applied to the University of Guelph for Philosophy (at the time, the only

school in the country where I could focus on existentialism) and three law schools (Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto, and Windsor Law School).

In February 2004, I relapsed on cocaine and fell back into the life, in every way. I tried to keep my head above water as I finished my final year of undergrad. Spring came quick and along with it was an acceptance letter from Osgoode Hall Law School, my first choice. I was in no condition to attend law school, but this was the opportunity of a life time for someone like me. I called Osgoode to defer. They told me that if I didn’t accept the offer, I would need to reapply; as if people like me get second chances like this.

Luckily, I had a friend who sat me down and gave me a piece of advice that has carried me through some of the darkest struggles and most difficult times in my life: “Jordana, you have been on this road before and you know where it takes you. Why don’t you try law, and if it doesn’t work, this life will always be waiting for you.”

Three weeks later I quit cocaine and started law school two months after that. In my first semester, I quit every other drug, and I quit partying, and I quit hustling, and I even quit smoking cigarettes just to end all of my addictions at once. I basically quit everything except for law school. As I wound my way through the semesters, I worried that my life experience would catch up to me and prevent me from being successful. What if the stress of the job caused a relapse? What if my old dealer ended up as my client? What if my old friends outed me to their lawyer if they saw me in court? I was scared that somehow my past would creep up and destroy my career before it even started.

One day, in the second semester of my second year, I was sitting in a lecture when the professor posed a question called a fact pattern; a pretend legal problem that we needed to solve. My classmates raised their hands and started offering solutions. Every solution was based on an understanding of the legal problem. None of the answers were wrong but not one of them thought to question the problem by considering the players: who was facing the legal issue; why were they behaving the way that they were; what caused the problem that we were all trying to solve. I realized then that my future colleagues were so far removed from the lives of the people that they were trying to help, they didn’t understand the root cause of the problem. They could not see themselves as their future clients to understand the issue on more than a surface level. But I could. Because I had been there. I was the client, the addict, the dealer, the hustler, the so-called criminal whose problem was at the heart of our discussion.

I suddenly realized that my life experience was not a disadvantage at all. It was not baggage that I was carrying around, it was not a burden for me to shoulder. My struggles, and all of the skills and the strength that I had developed to cope with them, were tools that I was going to be able to use to my advantage. I understood crime and criminals and humans from all walks of life in a way that most people never get to experience.

I graduated law school in 2007 and started working as a Civil Litigator. My heart was in criminal law but my mother begged me not to be criminal lawyer. She worried about the same things I did: the potential to relapse, crossing paths with my past, struggling to distance

myself from my vices. I decided to listen to her (for once) and accepted a job in civil litigation, this way I could go to court but also work on files with cleaner subject matter: commercial disputes, real estate, and wrongful dismissals.

For three years, I worked at a small firm doing great work, running my own files and helping my bosses on some big ones. I worked hard and learned a lot about what it means to be a Lawyer. I was proud of myself and I was finally making my family proud. But I did not fit in with the culture and I was bored with the subject matter. Most of all, I had this voice in me saying that this was not the work that I had survived the streets to do.

In 2010, I made the leap into criminal law. I joined a firm and kept my head down, listening and learning and taking every opportunity given to me. I was running preliminary hearings within a few days and trials within a few months. I met with every client I could to try to listen to them and explain the process and their options. I remembered what it was like when I faced my own charges, and no one explained anything to me. I was told to plead guilty without any consideration of my rights or my future. And I refuse to treat others how I was treated.

I maintained my motto: regret what you have done, not what you haven’t. I applied that way of thinking to every case and

every argument. I fought every issue I could, so long as the risk was worth the reward.

In the beginning I would run into colleagues who asked me what I did to quell the fear of the courtroom. I didn’t under their question. Because life on the streets was literally life threatening, nothing in my legal career ever scared me. Not the courtroom, not the crowns, not the judges, not the clients. Being a “fearless advocate” wasn’t just a tagline for me, it was a reality based on experience.

I used my understanding and my experiences to excel, in the courtroom and the boardroom. I grew a huge practice of my own and 5 years in, I left my firm to start

my own. Like everything in my life, I wanted to do it my way. I used the work ethic and hustle I developed in the streets to grow my practice into a nationally recognized, successful boutique firm that has flourished over the last decade. With every new experience, I realize that the life I thought would be a threat to my career is what allows me to thrive.

When I sat in that lecture, back in law school, listening to people try to analyze and solve problems they didn’t actually understand, I promised myself that if I could figure out how to be successful in this profession, then I would tell people about me. Because so many people judge addicts and dropouts as worthless and lazy and so many

people believe that criminal is a character trait instead of a pattern of behavior borne from a set of circumstances and conditions. I am hoping to change that thought process by being an example that we can get out of that life and do more than just exist in this one.

It has been 20 years since I started law school and I still don’t feel like I belong in this profession. I now think that the more people who join corporate and professional spaces despite the fact that they don’t belong, the better these spaces become. I am a testament to the fact that you do not need to fit in to succeed. In fact, I think you might do better if you don’t.

AThe Evolution of Risk

BUILDING WITH GRIT, PURPOSE, AND POWER

SABRINA FIORELLINO

s an entrepreneur, risk is inherent. And as someone who has successfully started and exited multiple businesses, you might assume that I have mastered it. But what I’ve learned is that risk doesn’t disappear as you grow, it just changes. In the beginning, I was driven by instinct and interest, focused on making something real. As the years passed, the stakes grew, and so did my awareness of what was on the line — reputation, responsibility, resilience.

But something else shifted, too. I stopped needing permission. I stopped measuring myself against other people’s expectations. And I started trusting the power of my own voice.

The early years

When I started my first business at 18, I didn’t know I was going to discover a love of entrepreneurship that would carry

me through multiple industries and multiple businesses. My first business came about almost by accident. I was working in fashion, and very close with my mother, who was working in design-build as it relates to architecture of residential housing projects. We were approached by someone in the fashion industry who was developing a furniture line and looking for a North American distributor. I looked at my mom, who was definitely unsure about the opportunity, and said “let’s do this.” And I jumped right into it: getting a distributors license, selling the product, going to trade shows.

With this business, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of the risks I was taking — and in a way, that was a gift. I wasn’t burdened by worstcase scenarios or paralyzed by “what ifs.” I had an idea, a sense of purpose, and a fire in my gut that told me to go. I had no hesitation in walking up to the president of

another line, another company, and sharing my business goals and partnership ideas. Would I make all the same decisions today, knowing what I know? Of course not, but as a young person just starting out, there’s a kind of raw courage that comes with not knowing exactly what you’re up against. You act not because the path is clear, but because something inside you says you have to try. And while the stakes may have been high — financially, emotionally, personally — I didn’t see them as limitations. I saw them as part of the process.

The liberation of experience

With time, something liberating happens; the risks don’t go away, but your relationship to them changes. When I was younger, risk often felt like a test I had to pass to earn my place. As a woman in male-dominated industries like law, construction, and manufacturing, I knew I had to work harder, stay later, and

deliver more just to be taken seriously. I faced biases that weren’t always overt but were deeply felt, like being told to wear more masculine suits to be seen as credible. For a long time, I internalized those comments, let them slow me down. But over the years I became more able to compartmentalize: to ignore the noise, to trust in my own abilities without external validation, to push through the risk rather than being unaware of it.

Igniting the purpose

I was in the process of exiting my road-building business at the start of COVID. And COVID was an incredibly challenging time for my family as it was for so many families across the globe: my mother is a double lung transplant; my brother is an anesthetist; my sister in law, a nurse, had a newborn baby at home. And my grandfather, who I was extremely close with for all my life, passed during the first wave of COVID. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t stay in hospital with him.

The cracks in the healthcare system became massive holes during COVID. All across the country, the lack of infrastructure was apparent. Patients overflowing into hallways and temporary tents did nothing to curb the spread of infectious viruses.

With my background in construction, I understood that part of the issue facing COVID was a space issue: capacity, safe indoor spaces, and spaces that allow people to interact with their family. Technology has brought some incredible advancements to our world, but the method that is typically used to build buildings has not changed. And just like that, I saw my next step: manufacturing healthcare buildings that were flexible, relocatable, and most importantly, built quickly to respond to rapidly changing needs.

Powering through risk

Starting a business is always a leap, but launching Fero International during a global pandemic, when the world was shutting down and uncertainty was everywhere, brought an entirely different level of risk. We weren’t entering a stable market or filling a known gap. We were responding in real time to a crisis. There were no roadmaps, no guarantees, only a deep belief that we had the skills, the experience, and the purpose to make a difference.

Nevertheless, one of the most underestimated challenges I faced, and one that persists for many entrepreneurs in Canada, was access to capital. Even with experience, a strong network, and a timely business model, securing funding as a woman-led team can be significantly more difficult. The numbers are stark: a small fraction of venture capital in Canada goes to women entrepreneurs, under 5%. During COVID, capital got even tighter, closer to 1% going to women-led businesses. Many investors became more risk-averse, pulling back from anything that didn’t fit their usual mold, which often excluded new, disruptive, or women-led ventures.

As I said, the risks don’t go away, but how we manage risk

evolves over time. For me, being very secure in understanding the intricacies of the financial information for my business is how I maintain confidence in each decision. A deep and thorough understanding of my numbers allows me the ability to manage risk.

There’s a cliché we all hear— “knowledge is power” —and while it might sound overused, in business, it couldn’t be more true. You can know your product or service inside and out. You can be deeply passionate, visionary, even relentless in your work. But if you don’t understand the financial environment you're operating in — how money moves, how capital flows, what drives investor decisions, or how to build sustainable margins — then you're not truly in control. Incredibly talented entrepreneurs get sidelined not because their idea wasn’t strong, but because they didn’t fully grasp the financial infrastructure around them. Especially for women, who often face more barriers to funding, financial literacy isn’t optional. Real power comes when you can speak the language of capital just as fluently as the language of passion. That’s when people start listening differently. And that’s when you move from building something hopeful to building something enduring.

Am I Really One Of Them?

CHRIS MCMARTIN

There are moments in life that shift you. Not the kind that sweep in like a thunderstorm—but the kind that arrive gently, like a whisper that turns into a roar.

Winning one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada was one of those moments for me. When the email came in, I froze. I read it three times. And then again. At first I thought it was a scam. I smiled, I laughed, I cried—all in the span of minutes. I’ve spent my career pouring

into others, lifting up women in business, supporting communities, mentoring emerging leaders, and speaking about the power of connection and authenticity. This recognition should have felt like a full-circle moment. In many ways, it was. But here’s the part most people don’t talk about: the moment I stepped onto that stage, I didn’t feel like a top 25 anything. I figured there had to have been a mistake. I felt like an imposter. The event was breathtaking— filled with dynamic women who

had disrupted industries, fought for equity, built empires, and inspired thousands. I sat there listening to the incredible bios of my fellow honourees. Women who had transformed systems. Launched movements. Survived losses. Fought battles I hadn’t. Created things I never could.And in the middle of it all, a voice inside me whispered:

“There’s been a mistake.”

“You don’t belong here.”

“You’re not enough.”

It was my voice. And I believed it. For a moment, I really did.

I consider myself a confident person. I stand on stages and speak about leadership, mentorship, resilience, and showing up as your full authentic self. I champion women entrepreneurs across Canada. I help people find their voice. I’ve spent nearly two decades in the financial industry forging relationships, building partnerships, and helping women believe in their power. But none of that mattered in that moment. Because self-doubt doesn’t care about resumes or accolades. It sneaks in anyway. It crept up on me when I least expected it.

After the ceremony, we mingled. I found myself speaking to a few of the other award recipients— women whose stories had blown me away. And I’ll never forget what one of them said as we stood on stage for a victorious group photo: “Is anyone else having a moment, anyone else suffering from imposter syndrome in this very moment?” Wait. What?

Another woman nodded: “I felt the exact same way.”

And then another. And another. All of these powerhouses, all of these brilliant changemakers, felt like I did. We all could not believe we belonged or were enough for this moment.

It turns out that behind every polished photo and every shining trophy, there’s a human heart wondering if it truly belongs. And that was the real win. That moment of truth. That realization that none of us felt like we were enough—until we looked at each other and saw the light, the grit, the effort, and the impact we each carried. The reminder that being “enough” isn’t about having the perfect journey or the loudest voice or the most dramatic story. It’s about the courage to keep showing up. To

keep trying. To keep believing. To keep sharing our authentic story. That’s when it hit me: I do belong here. I earned this. I am enough.

I looked around the room again— but this time not with self-doubt, but with clarity. I thought about the thousands of women I’ve mentored and encouraged over the years. The women I tell every day: you are not an imposter, you are exactly where you are meant to be. I realized I had to say those words to myself, too. We don’t always give ourselves permission to shine.

We’re taught to be humble, to share credit, to deflect praise. But humility should not come at the cost of our own value. We can be grounded and bold. Grateful and proud. Quietly powerful and undeniably deserving. And so, I made a decision.

From this moment on, I will own my power without apology. And I will make it my mission to help others do the same.

Because too many women dim their light, doubting what they bring to the table. We dim our light in order to protect others eyes. We wait until we’ve done more, achieved more, proved more. But the truth is—we are already enough. You are already enough.

Your journey, your resilience, your heart, your presence—it all matters. You don’t need a title, a trophy, or a spotlight to prove it.

That award I received wasn’t just about me. It was about every woman who’s ever doubted herself. Every young girl who has been told she doesn’t belong, or she is not going to make it. Every woman who’s questioned whether she’s doing enough, being enough, giving enough.

If you’ve ever found yourself shrinking in a room you worked hard to be in, I want you to

remember this: You didn’t get lucky. You got chosen. Because of who you are and what you bring. Period. So here’s what I know now, deep in my bones:

• Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It means you’re human.

• You can feel fear and still move forward. It is not scary, it is exciting!

• You can feel unqualified and still be exactly what’s needed.

• You can walk into a room full of giants and remember—you are one, too.

I am incredibly grateful to the mentors, sponsors, and cheerleaders who stood beside me that day—people who have always seen my potential even when I couldn’t. Their belief in me helped me believe in myself again. And now I carry their voices with me. When I stand on a stage, when I coach a new leader, when I look into the eyes of a young woman starting her career—I will tell her what I tell myself now:

You are not too small for this space. This space is made better because you are in it.

That’s what I Am Unbreakable means to me. Not that I never crack—but that I rise stronger each time I do.

Winning this award was an honour I will never forget. Not because of the trophy or the title—but because it reminded me of who I am, and who I’m here to be.

So to every woman reading this: the next time you’re invited to the table, take your seat boldly. Speak with certainty. Own your story. And if your voice shakes a little, let it. That’s not weakness—it’s growth in motion.

Because you, my friend, are more than enough. And now, so am I.

A Front-Row Sister

The Ultimate Rockstar In Women Supporting Women

Alright, let me tell you about my front-row sister, Chris McMartin — a woman so awesome she practically radiates positive energy. This month, she’s being recognized by Women of Influence, and honestly, if there were a glitter cannon for this kind of thing, I’d be firing it off right now.

Chris isn’t just a leader; she’s a rockstar. She’s the type who can walk into a room full of power suits and make everyone rethink their life choices, just by being her authentic, unstoppable self.

Through her work with The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, she’s been out here breaking glass ceilings, smashing stereotypes, and probably bending a few rules

just for fun (because let’s be real, trailblazers don’t color inside the lines).

She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t just move the needle; she resets the whole dial. Chris lives by the mantra I swear by: “The true power of showing up is women supporting women — hands down.” And she shows up, every single time, whether it’s mentoring a rising star, championing a bold new idea, or being the loudest cheerleader in the room. If you’ve ever had Chris in your corner, you know what it feels like to have a whole squad of confidence behind you.

And let’s talk about the ripple effect. Chris’s influence isn’t just about personal wins (though she’s got a trophy case that

probably needs reinforcement by now) — it’s about the lives she’s changed, the careers she’s launched, and the countless women she’s inspired to dream a little bigger, hustle a little harder, and shine a little brighter. She’s the kind of woman who holds the door open for others and then sticks around to make sure they crush it on the way in.

So, here’s to Chris — my frontrow sister, my friend, podcaster partner, and an all-around rockstar legend who makes changing the world look effortless.

Congratulations, Chris! You’re a trailblazing disruptor, and the definition of awesome. I can’t wait to see what you do next. ~Adrianne xo

AThe Courage To Pivot A

LIFETIME IN THE MAKING

MARGARET ZANEL

t 57 years old, I find myself deep in a new career, leading an awardwinning strategy consulting firm. I do work I love, guide clients to achieve their vision and mission, shape purposedriven strategy, and collaborate with leaders, boards, and management teams who inspire me—all while having the flexibility of being my own boss.

My career has come full circle. I have freedom, opportunity, purpose—and the satisfaction of knowing I intentionally chose this path.Seven years ago, as I rounded the corner on 50, after nearly three decades in the corporate and start-up worlds, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I left the

familiar behind and co-founded Wentworth Strategy Group.

To many, it looked like a bold leap. They asked, "How did you do it?" "Was it hard?" "Where did you find the courage?" “Weren’t you scared to step off the corporate path and take the risk of being an entrepreneur?”

The truth is, you don’t just wake up one day ready to change your life. You earn that courage—one small, hard, uncertain step at a time. For me, the preparation had been happening for decades. I just didn’t realize it.

It’s the message I now share with the remarkable women leaders I coach: If you’re standing at the edge of a big

change, wondering if you have what it takes—you probably already do. You've spent your whole life preparing —whether you realize it or not.

Go back. Trace your story. You'll find the moments of courage and resilience, quietly building your "Yes, I Can" bank. My career pivot wasn’t the result of one courageous decision, but of four decades of small, brave ones. Here’s how I built the courage to pivot at 50—and how you can, too.

Speaking My Truth

I’m the daughter of Hungarian immigrants who left everything behind in 1956 to start over in Canada. Their sacrifices shaped me with "survival DNA." At 10 years old, I was pressured to excel in track—coached by

my talented mother. I wasn't gifted in running and felt sick with anxiety. Finally, I told her, "Mom, running makes me anxious. I’m not good at it." She smiled and said, "Then stop running. Focus on what you do best… school"

Speaking my truth changed my life. That first act of honesty became the foundation for every brave choice that followed. It taught me that listening to your authentic voice, even when it’s hard, is an act of self-respect—and the beginning of real courage.

Choosing Family Over SelfInterest

As high school ended, my parents divorced, and my mother struggled with alcoholism. I had to decide where to attend university— two schools were far; one was close.

The easier choice was to leave. The braver choice was to stay. I stayed. It wasn’t easy. But I learned real strength means standing by the people you love when it matters most. Looking back, it was one of my best decisions—it led to a great education, meeting my husband, and building the family that means everything to me.

This choice reminded me that sometimes the courageous path is the quiet one—the path of loyalty, responsibility, and love.

Saying “Yes” to Risks

Throughout my corporate career, I earned a "highpotential" reputation. The real secret? I said yes before I felt ready. New teams. Big initiatives. Uncharted territory. I stretched myself, took risks, and banked small wins that built my courage muscle. Every uncomfortable moment gave me proof I could handle more.

I wasn’t fearless. I was willing. And willingness helped me build more resilience.

The Leap: Corporate to Startup—and Back Again

In the late '90s, restless for more, I left corporate life to join a startup in California—two weeks after getting engaged to my husband! Well, that’s another story! Terrifying? Absolutely. Worth it? 1000%.

That leap shattered my comfort zone. It taught me I was capable of more than I ever imagined. It was hard. I failed at things. I struggled. But I grew faster than I ever had before. Even after returning to corporate leadership years later, I wasn't just surviving challenges—I was seeking them. I trusted myself to handle more, dream bigger, and stretch further.

Building the Business I Dreamed About

Later, as a VP of Strategy in a large tech corporation, the entrepreneurial itch returned. The question gnawed at me: Is this the “corporate” career what I really want?

Starting a consulting business wasn’t a sudden lightbulb moment—it was a messy internal battle, full of self-doubt:

• Can I really do this?

• What if I fail?

• What if I’m not good enough?

• What if I’m don’t make enough money?

I wrestled with the fears. I questioned my readiness. I worried about the risk. But in the end, fear didn’t get the final vote. I leaned into the courage bank I’d built over decades. I partnered with someone I trusted implicitly and bet on myself. My past had prepared me. I just had to believe it.

And with that belief, we built Wentworth Strategy Group—a

firm rooted in purpose, impact, and partnership.

Fast Forward

Today, as co-founder of Wentworth Strategy Group, I own my destiny. Since its inception, we have advised growing for-profit Canadianbased services and tech companies, purpose-driven not-for-profits and indigenous led organizations to name a few. This type of work nourishes my soul, challenges me, draws on so many learnings of the past but most importantly makes real impact. The positive outcomes have been many:

• I choose the work I do.

• I am equipped to create impact that I believe in.

• I choose the people I work with.

• I get to collaborate with outstanding clients.

I get to do work I love every day. I get to be proud of the career I chose to create. And most importantly—I get to model for others that it’s never too late to pursue the professional path you want. But make no mistake: The road here wasn’t paved with certainty. It was built with a thousand small acts of courage. Every tough decision. Every step forward despite fear. Every quiet moment of resilience.

If You’re Standing at the Edge of Something New…

Don't wait for the perfect plan. Don't wait to feel 100% confident. Don't wait for fear to disappear—it won't. Instead, look back. See every "yes, I can" moment. Every time you moved forward when it was hard. Every time you bet on yourself.

Those moments are your foundation. A pivot isn’t one giant leap. It's a thousand small steps—and every single one counts. Your best chapter might just be one step away.

SThe Woman Behind The Words

THE MOVEMENT, AND THE MIC-DROP MOMENTS

he’s not just a publisher. She is a force. Cris Cawley is the founder of Game Changer Publishing, the premier powerhouse publishing company helping entrepreneurs turn their stories and expertise into bestselling books. With a story rooted in resilience, motherhood, and transformed, Cris and her company now help thousands of experts and entrepreneurs tell their stories through best selling books for more impact, growth and legacy. She’s a woman who literally built an empire from her kitchen table, the one

who turns an author's mess into a worldwide impactful message, and the voice behind a massive movement that is redefining what it means to be a storyteller. In this exclusive I Am Unbreakable® interview, Cris gets real about her journey, her purpose, and the legacy she’s building one powerful story at a time.

Did you always know storytelling was your passion?

Not at all. At least, not in the traditional sense. I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a “writer

or publisher.” What I did grow up with was a deep yearning to be heard. As a child, we didn’t have much, and I often felt like my voice got lost in the noise of survival. But I vividly remember being a young mom, sitting at my kitchen table with a laptop and a big dream to create something more. I didn’t know it then, but those early blog posts and journal entries were me learning to speak truth into the world. Storytelling wasn’t something I chased. It was something I lived.

Every creator hits a breaking point. What was the toughest moment you faced during this process, and how did you pull through?

There was a time in the early years when I had a family and kiddos to take care of, a new business, and a voice in my head constantly whispering, “You’re not enough.” I was working late into the night while juggling motherhood and struggling with imposter syndrome and comparison. What pulled me through was my why and knowing I wasn’t just building something for myself. I was building a legacy for my family and a platform for others who felt voiceless. That belief just happened to be louder than my fear.

Tell us about the origin of GameChanger and your why behind it. Does it have a hidden story that readers wouldn’t guess?

GameChanger wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was born out of grit. I was coaching entrepreneurs who had unbelievable stories and life lessons, but no idea how to get them out into the world. That snowballed into me starting a publishing house driven by a process that allowed my busy entrepreneur clients to speak their books, get published fast, and hit best-seller lists without sacrificing their sanity. The hidden story? I created GameChanger because I was once the woman too busy, too unsure, too overwhelmed. I built the system I wish I’d had years ago.

Was there a pivotal moment in your life that shifted your creative direction and made you realize, ‘This is the story I must tell’?

Yes. I remember speaking on stage for the first time and telling a sliver of my

personal story about growing up in scarcity, becoming a mom young, and building something wildly successful from nothing with zero funding, zero investors, and very little experience at the time. After I spoke, a woman came up to me with tears streaming down her face and said, “You are the one that gave me permission to believe that I could do it too.” That moment rewired something in me. I realized that my mess was someone else’s blueprint. That’s when I knew.

Creating GameChanger, did it challenge you to dig deeper or reframe parts of your life in a surprising way?

Absolutely. I had to revisit seasons of my life I thought I had already healed from. Things like failure, rejection, struggle, and reframe them as my assets. I began seeing my past setbacks as the foundation of something greater. Helping others tell their stories forced me to own mine.

What’s one lesson you have learned about yourself that surprised even you?

That I was hiding behind success. I was quick to share the wins, but scared to be vulnerable. Publishing forced me to stop worrying about the parts of the journey that were messy. And ironically, those raw, unfiltered moments are the ones readers connect with most. Vulnerability became my superpower.

When you’re interviewed or at a signing event, what’s the question people ask the most and what would you rather they ask?

People almost always ask, “How did you do it all motherhood, business, success?” And while that’s valid, I wish more people would ask, “What did you have

to let go of to become who you are now?” Because the real magic wasn’t in the hustle. It was in the process. Letting go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the belief that I had to earn my worth changed everything for me.

If your life were turned into a film, what scene would you play yourself, and why?

I’d play the moment where I’m sitting at my kitchen table in my pajamas, scribbling business ideas on the back of a grocery list while holding my baby on my hip. Because that’s where it all began. Not in the spotlight, but in the chaos. In the real life that so many of us navigate while also building our empires.

What’s the legacy you hope this story leaves with readers and what personal story within it are you most protective of?

I hope it reminds people that your voice matters. That your past doesn’t disqualify you. It prepares you. I want my daughters and my clients to know that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your soul or your family. And the story I’m most protective of? The one about my dad and how his endless sacrifices early in my life lit a fire in me that changed the trajectory of my entire life. I’ve never shared it publicly in full, and maybe one day I will. But for now, it stays tucked close to my heart.

ABuilding An Umbreakable You!

DR. MONICA VERMANI

thoughtful approach to creating unbreakable self-confidence through challenging your negative thoughts and self-limiting beliefs

Thoughts are powerful things. Think about it. Everything in the world around us, everything that was ever imagined, created, or achieved in the world began as a thought. Just as thoughts create and shape the world around us, they also create and shape virtually every aspect of our lives. With our thoughts, for example, we weigh our odds of landing the position we’re thinking of applying for, whether we should sign up for that art class we’ve always wanted to take or make major life changes that we know will involve challenges. We wonder whether we can handle life’s obstacles and whether we have what it takes to achieve what we want to in life.

Positive or negative

Positive or negative, our thoughts not only inform our choices, they significantly impact our sense of who we are, our self-confidence, our identity, and how we connect

with and relate to others, and ourselves. When we feel confident in our ability to handle life’s challenges, we can make choices that lead us forward in our lives. We handle the obstacles and problems that show up. We recover from setbacks and learn from, rather than remain stuck in past hurts and mistakes.

Unfortunately, not all of our thoughts are positive. At times, our negative thoughts and selflimiting beliefs about who we are, what we can achieve, or what we are worthy of prevent us from connecting with others, setting and working toward meaningful goals, and living the life we want. Our self-limiting narratives lead to a loss of self-confidence. A diminished faith in ourselves and our abilities, and can lead to anxiety, depression, and chronic worrying.

When it comes to building unbreakable self-esteem, we need to understand where our negative thoughts come from, why they are so powerful, and how to replace our negative thoughts

and self-limiting beliefs with more positive, accurate, and adaptive ones. Here’s the good news: When it comes to our negative thoughts and self-limiting beliefs, we have the power to take control … one thought at a time.

Becoming unbreakable

As a clinical psychologist, I spend a great deal of time helping my clients clean up the negative thoughts that negatively impact their self-esteem and hold them back from creating the life they truly want. I help them identify and understand where their negative thoughts came from, and work on replacing these thoughts with healthier, more positive ones. I then help them reframe their beliefs about how their lives could be. And finally, we identify many supports and strategies to help them reinforce and sustain these healthier, more adaptive positive thoughts.

A powerful process

You can employ this same powerful process to challenge, rewrite, and replace your negative thoughts and self-limiting beliefs,

and begin to reframe, in other words, reimagine, what your life could be. The reality is that when it comes to your thoughts, you have a choice. You can choose to challenge the accuracy of your negative thoughts and replace the thoughts that diminish your self-esteem and sense of optimism with positive ones that help propel you forward and support your goals and dreams.

How to begin

Begin by taking an inventory of your negative thoughts and beliefs. Make a list of your negative core beliefs. (You can read more about core beliefs and automatic thoughts here). Consider how your thoughts and beliefs have held you back in the past, and how they have limited and restricted your choices. Have they lowered your self-esteem

and courage, and kept you stuck in roles and situations that no longer make you happy? Make sure to list situations where you have overestimated the likelihood of negative things happening, times when you have made excuses and prevented yourself from trying something new, and the excuses you continue to hold onto.

Once complete, you need to challenge, rewrite, and reframe these negative thoughts.

The importance of high selfesteem

When it comes to your thoughts, it is important to maintain awareness around the thoughts that come up and pay attention to the many ways in which your thoughts — both positive and negative — impact your life.

Celebrate the positive impact of the new, more supportive, and accurate thoughts you have worked hard to bring into play. Strive to stay connected to your feelings. Don’t dismiss or ignore our negative feelings and thoughts when they arise. Instead, challenge, rewrite, and reframe the thoughts and beliefs in your life that no longer serve you. Remember, you have the power to take control of your thoughts and become a more positive thinker, one thought at a time.

There is no time like the present to begin. Realize that you are worth it. Make a commitment to yourself to challenge, rewrite, and reframe negative thoughts, and reinforce healthier, and more lifeaffirming ones that support your self-esteem and self-worth.

SThe Surrender That Saved Me:

SOBRIETY, TRUSTING THE FORCE & STARTING OVER KELSEY IRVINE

even years ago, I never could have imagined building a business with my family — let alone one rooted in sustainability, skincare, and something as soft and simple as trust. If I’m honest, I used to feel embarrassed by my roots. My family was wild, country, emotional, and never quite fit the mold I was trying to squeeze myself into. I was chasing a version of success that looked polished on the outside — an Oscar-nominated film, high-paying commercial campaigns, nights in hotel bars with industry insiders. I thought that’s what “making it” looked like. But the truth is,

I felt completely disconnected from myself. Sobriety would eventually change that — but not before life brought me to my knees.

The Ego I Outgrew

At the time, I was still drinking — not all the time, not out of control, but in that grey area where things feel almost fine. I’d built a career in commercial production, had worked on major brand campaigns, and was making things that looked great on paper. But something was always off. My work didn’t align with my values. I was helping sell things I didn’t believe in, to people

who didn’t need them. In my off-hours, I was pouring myself into documentaries — including one that would go on to be nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy. That project gave me a glimpse into what it felt like to make something with purpose.

But even that wasn’t enough to pull me out of the pattern. I was still trying to outrun the messy parts of myself, clinging to ego as a form of safety. And then — like most transformations — everything fell apart.

The Moment That Changed Everything I met someone. He was

adventurous and spontaneous and invited me to go whitewater kayaking in the off-season. It was freezing cold, we were completely alone, and I had no experience kayaking. But I didn’t want to say no. I didn’t yet have a voice strong enough to ask, “Is this safe?” or “Do I even want to do this?” I just wanted to be liked. I thought love looked like going along with the chaos.

We practiced two flips before we went into the rapids. The first time I panicked and pulled myself out. The second time, he managed to flip us upright with a little more control. I was terrified, but I got in the boat anyway. Almost immediately, we hit a massive rapid and flipped. I did what I was told — stay calm, press your body against the kayak, wait to be flipped back up.

Except… the flip never came. What I didn’t realize was that he had unbuckled himself and left me — still tied into the kayak — alone under the rapids. I panicked. I struggled. I eventually managed to free myself and push through the freezing water to the surface. He was already far downriver, paddling toward shore. I kept getting pulled under, over and over again, spun through a whirlpool that felt endless. Every time I surfaced for breath, I looked to the sky. First I saw two vultures. Then four. Then more. I wasn’t sure if they were real or imagined, but I remember thinking, If I stay still, they’ll find my body. That was my moment.

I asked myself: Do I want to fight a never-ending battle and still be forced to let go in the end? Or do I want to surrender — now — and trust that I’ll come back up on the other side? So I did. I took a deep breath, curled into a cannonball, and let the water take me. When I finally surfaced, it was near a

rock. I was too weak to stand, but I dragged myself out. I had survived.

And yet… the first thing I did when my date came over was ask for a swig of wine. I wasn’t ready. But a seed had been planted. The Work of Sobriety Getting sober wasn’t a straight line. I fell off the wagon more times than I’d like to admit. But each time, I came back. I reminded myself that the pain I was feeling had to be felt, not avoided. That resisting it only made the void grow bigger. That the only way through was through.

I started to feel things I had numbed for years. Shame, grief, anger — but also joy, depth, and connection. I began to trust something greater than myself — what I call the universe, or the force — and started to see life through a more spiritual lens. Sobriety stripped away the noise. It humbled me. It gave me a deeper relationship with myself, and with the people I had pushed away for so long. Coming Home to Myself (and My Family) At the same time, my mom was going through her own awakening. After a sixmonth solo hike from Patagonia to the tip of Chile, she came back changed. At 60, she quit her corporate job, moved to a cottage, and started making allnatural skincare for herself, then friends, then farmers’ markets. What started as a personal mission became the seed of what I’d been longing to build.

In 2020, the pandemic hit. I lost all my work in production. My sister lost her job in the restaurant industry. We had $500, no clue what we were doing, and decided to rebrand our mom’s skincare line — just to lift her spirits and keep ourselves busy. Little did we know that small gesture would grow from being in 30 stores to over 300 across North America

— and become our shared baby. But more than that, I’ve reconnected with the people I once pushed away. The same family I thought I had to hide from is now the reason I feel most grounded. Their rawness, their honesty, their quirks — it’s what makes us who we are.

What I’ve Learned

Sobriety gave me the clarity to see what matters. And it gave me a daily practice that still anchors me, nearly eight years later. I still go to weekly group meetings. I pray. I meditate. I write a gratitude list every morning, and when I’m struggling, I reach out for help. Most importantly, I try to help others — because one of the greatest truths I’ve learned is that you can’t keep it unless you give it away.

And while I’d love to say I’ve outgrown ego, that wouldn’t be the truth. The ego never disappears — it’s part of being human. I still speak on stages, write pieces like this, and build a brand I love. Of course there’s ego in that. But the difference now is that I recognize it. I try to balance it with service, with honesty, and with asking myself often: How can I show up for something greater than just me? It reminded me that surrender isn’t weakness — it’s the most powerful thing we can do.

If you’re in a season of struggle, if you feel like you’re underwater and unsure when you’ll rise again — trust that the other side is coming. You don’t need to know where you’ll land. You just need to believe that you will.

Because sometimes the most unbreakable thing you can do is take a deep breath and go with the flow.

B A R B S I M K O V A

WBuilding an Unbreakable Spirit

FROM BARRIERS TO BOARDROOMS

CAROLINE CODSI

alking through the war-torn streets of Lebanon as a child, I didn’t just witness chaos, I lived it. The crackle of gunfire, the uncertainty of each day, the silent resilience of women shouldering the weight of an unraveling world. Amidst the destruction, one thing became clear to me: survival wasn’t enough. Women deserved more than to endure; we deserved to lead, to shape the future, to be heard.

That belief became the fire that

fueled my journey, first to Paris at 17, navigating a new world on my own, then to Canada, where I hoped to find the equity I had always dreamed of. But reality had other plans. Even in such an advanced country, the barriers were still there, systemic, deeply ingrained, and resistant to change. If anything, the discrimination was more insidious, wrapped in polite words and glass ceilings so thick they felt impenetrable.

So, I did what I’ve always done, I fought. Not with weapons, but

with strategy, conviction, and an unshakable belief that a better world was possible. That fight led to the creation of Women in Governance in 2010, not just as an organization, but as a movement. A force dedicated to helping women shatter barriers, navigate the power structures of corporate life, and claim their rightful place at the decision-making table. But I soon realized that empowering women alone wasn’t enough, the real battle was in changing the system itself.

That’s why Women in

Governance launched Parity Certification™ in 2017, a gamechanger for organizations committed to closing the gender gap in the workplace. This isn’t a token gesture or a marketing tagline, it’s a rigorous, data-driven assessment based on 80 criteria. We dig deep, examining everything from talent attraction and retention, to succession planning, governance, compensation equity, workplace culture, inclusive leadership, and more. Companies don’t just get a grade, they get a roadmap for real, measurable progress.

Today, more than one million employees work for a company that has obtained our Parity Certification™, and our clients span all industries, including many Fortune 500 companies and sectors traditionally dominated by men. The certification has become a benchmark for organizations willing to take accountability and build workplaces where both women and men can thrive equitably.

And because progress deserves recognition, we highlight these trailblazing companies at our prestigious galas in Toronto and

Montreal, bringing together top leaders, policymakers, and changemakers committed to gender equity. It’s about setting the bar higher, pushing the corporate world toward a future where talent, not gender, defines success.

My journey, from dodging bullets in Lebanon to sitting in the boardrooms of some of Canada’s largest corporations, has never been linear. I built my career from the ground up, led multi-million-dollar revenue streams, and climbed ladders that were never meant for women like me. But what truly defines me isn’t my career, it’s my relentless commitment to helping others navigate the same path.

That commitment goes beyond advocacy, it’s personal. Like so many, I’ve carried the invisible scars of war and displacement, the weight of starting over, the trauma buried beneath resilience. Therapy wasn’t just healing, it was an act of defiance, a refusal to let past wounds define my future. Speaking openly about it isn’t weakness, it’s power. Because true strength comes from confronting struggle, turning

pain into purpose, and choosing to rise every single time.

And through it all, I raised two incredible children as a single mother, instilling in them the same values of courage, service, and unwavering integrity. They grew up immersed in activism, knowing that silence in the face of injustice is never an option. Today, as accomplished adults, they carry that legacy forward, proving that change starts at home.

Being unbreakable isn’t about never falling, it’s about rebuilding stronger every time. As I look ahead, I am energized by the women and allies who stand beside me, the organizations willing to evolve, and the next generation of leaders who refuse to accept the status quo.

This is more than my story, it’s our story. The story of every woman who refuses to be sidelined, every leader who chooses inclusion over indifference, every person who dares to dream of a world where opportunity isn’t defined by gender. I invite you to join me in this quest, because the future doesn’t just happen. We build it.

IDemystifying AI

ENCOURAGING UNBREAKABLE LEADERSHIP IN AI GOVERNANCE

CINDY GORDON

have spent the last 13 years designing and building AI software products for diverse industries and it’s a crucial time for us to increase our female voices on AI Governance, Innovation and Safety. We need far more diversity and inclusiveness in the field of AI, as we are faced with some serious gaps in AI execution effectiveness.

For example, less than 5% of the global investments in AI is driving a positive ROI. In addition, on average 75%

of AI projects are not being sustained, based on global research. Hence, it behooves us to step back and ask as leaders, why is this happening?

The three main reasons that appear most frequently are:

1.) Misaligned Leadership Direction on AI investments, picking the wrong use case 2.) Not calibrating the full investment realities of what it will take to stand up an AI model, 3.) Under estimating the

adoption and change management complexities

Although these are valid reasons, we also have to recognize that globally the number of women Chief AI Officers or Chief Data Officers is averaging less than 15%, although some reports state its at 20%. Until we have more women involved bringing our collective voices forward, we will continue to have issues with data bias in data sets, and women may be marginalized, potentially even more.

These are very concerning issues.

Despite these perspectives, we are faced with some critical alignment gaps in our governance frameworks, both in Canada and the US. Although the EU has advanced a comprehensive legislative framework that is to be in effect by August, 2025, concerns are being raised on its feasibility.

Against the legislative gaps, AI is surging ahead with advancements in GenAI which have fueled innovations in AI’s proficiency levels. AI has now mastered human intelligence in all but two areas: complex math and reading comprehension, as validated by Stanford in their 2025 AI Index Research Report.

Although it seems incredible to be at this inflection point, the sobering reality is the guardrails in both Canada and the USA

at the Federal levels are not in place. We are in a situation where US states are not waiting for clarity from Federal levels and most noticeably in CA, NY, Utah, and Colorado have passed bills to protect consumers, and advance responsible AI, increasing focus on privacy, data bias, explainability and safety.

However with the various state bills being passed, this increases the complexity as businesses working across jurisdictions require more legal compliance and investments, often which is too burdensome for many small businesses.

Your High 5 Call to Action

1.) Get Involved – If your organization has an AI Governance Counsel join if a C leader or set up Communities of Practice (COP) to further support knowledge reach and help build stronger digital

literacy support systems.

2.) Educational Uplift – Take a course on AI, get certified, read a book, call other experts

3.) Reverse Mentor – Ask an AI engineer or Data Scientist to mentor you, look under the hood to understand the AI toolkits we use

4.) Get Dirty – Get under the covers and work on an AI project as adults learn by doing. No excuses.

5.) Community Reach - Learn what your local government, states or provinces are doing to advance AI and volunteer.

Your Unbreakable female voices matter more than in any other time in our history. We did not get the right guardrails in place to manage global climatic change, and we are having incredible difficulty in aligning international jurisdictions, balancing both innovation and human safety.

The Power Of Connection Over Competition CHANTAL MCNEILY

Navigating female friendship is a challenge that all women and girls face throughout their lives. I can remember the feeling in elementary school: Will I get picked for Red Rover? So desperately waiting for my name to be called.

In high school, there were always the “mean girls,” and I wanted so badly to be part of the “cool kids.”

In our working careers—especially for those of us who have spent decades in male-dominated industries—competition can overrule connection. But something profound happens to women as we enter midlife. Somewhere between managing our careers, raising children, and caring for aging parents, we begin to reassess our lives and what truly matters. That includes the value of female friendships.

As life gets busy, some friendships take a back seat and others simply fade away. But then there are those that stand the test of time—

the ones who support us through various stages of life without judgment or competition, who celebrate our wins and hold us through our losses. The value they bring is priceless.

I’ve moved around a lot for my career over the last 20 years, living in two countries and six cities. I spent the first 15 years climbing the corporate ladder and frantically trying to juggle the responsibilities of being a successful career woman in a male-dominated industry. I wore many hats—wife, mother, daughter, sister, and “boss.” There were never enough hours in the day to nurture female friendships, let alone care for myself.

My job was fast-paced. It was a constant balancing act between two identities: the successful career woman and the new mother. I struggled to find women I could relate to. While other moms of babies my daughter’s age were on maternity leave, I was working overtime— hustling to build a business in an

industry that is over 85% male. In 2020, during the pandemic, my husband and I made a massive lifestyle shift. We relocated our family to a small town on the water, an hour and a half outside the major urban center where we had lived and worked. Our families thought we were crazy. From the outside, we had it all: two successful careers in finance, a house, a vacation home, a nanny. But the intensity of our careers was starting to take a toll.

It had always been a secret dream of mine to sell our home and move to our vacation home. When the time came, I was filled with fear, panic, and excitement all at once. I didn’t know what to expect. Anxious thoughts flooded my mind: Will this ruin my career? Will I like it there? How will my kids adjust? Over the years, I’ve learned to lean into fear and trust the journey.

When our once-busy social calendars ground to a halt during lockdown, I started hiking with a group of women I had casually

known for years. Every morning, rain, shine, or snow, we hiked. That hour and a half nurtured our spirits and built an unshakable bond. Those hikes kept us grounded during a time of global uncertainty.

As our friendship deepened, no topic was off-limits. We helped guide each other through life’s greatest triumphs and supported one another through its toughest challenges. The bond we formed was more than just friendship—it was a lifeline.

In our 40s and 50s, and beyond, many of us find ourselves asking bigger questions: Who am I now? What do I want next?

Female friendships in this phase of life offer something rare and powerful: mirrors and witnesses to our evolution. Our friends see the women behind the masks we wear and the roles we play. They’re the ones who call us out, tell us the truth even when it’s hard to hear, remind us of our strength, and offer us grace when we’re too hard on ourselves.

This stage of life often strips away what no longer serves us. The friendships that remain are those that feel safe, real, and soulnourishing. They are the ones that “fill our cup” after each interaction rather than drain it. These friendships are rooted in shared experience, vulnerability, and deep understanding. They know what it means to feel invisible, to question our worth, and to step into our power.

Studies show that strong female friendships can boost our health. They reduce stress, improve longevity, and increase overall life satisfaction. I can personally attest that the circle of women I’ve surrounded myself with in midlife has been my sanity—and my salvation. I couldn’t have imagined the positive impact this support network would have on my life.

If you are a woman in midlife

looking to create a circle of empowering female friends, here are five meaningful steps to help you reconnect or build new bonds:

1. Reconnect with Authenticity

Reach out to women you’ve lost touch with or want to know better—but lead with honesty. Share where you’re at in life and express a desire for genuine connection. Many women feel the same but hesitate to make the first move.

2. Join Values-Aligned Spaces

Look for groups, clubs, or classes that reflect your values and interests—book clubs, fitness groups, volunteer organizations, or online communities centered around midlife transformation. Shared purpose naturally builds connection.

3. Practice Vulnerability and Consistency

Deep friendships grow when we show up—not just physically, but emotionally. Be willing

to go beyond surface-level conversations. Schedule regular meetups or calls to nurture these relationships over time.

4. Drop the Comparison Trap Midlife can stir up insecurities. Let go of comparisons around paths, appearances, or accomplishments. Celebrate each other’s journeys and create a judgment-free space where both strength and struggle are welcome.

5. Create Micro-Moments of Connection

Friendship doesn’t require grand gestures. A spontaneous coffee, a voice note, or a shared walk can go a long way. Small, frequent connections often build the deepest bonds.

Perhaps the greatest rebellion in midlife is choosing connection over competition and comparison. When we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down, we create a ripple effect that’s powerful beyond measure.

To My Unbreakables

ROUZALIN HAKIM

To the women who’ve been through it – not just the hard chapters, but the rewrites, the silence, the doubts, the comebacks no one expected ... even you. This is for us!

My name is Rouzalin, I’ve been a freelance writer for over 3 years sharing my journey in hopes to inspire others, but this is the first time I’ve had the privilege of being a part of this UNBREAKABLE community. So, since this is the first time we’re meeting, let’s start at the very life changing beginning. Just approaching 3.5 years ago now, I faced a moment of no return. A moment I never thought I’d

have to face and recover from.

In order to give you a better perspective, I’ll need to take you back a little further. For about 4 years prior, I was living in the sunny warm country of Australia, (yes, I moved there for a boy) like most of us do we trust our hearts, which believe it or not was the best decision of my life; not for the boy but for me! Even though him and I did NOT work out, I ended up staying there for my own personal growth and I wouldn’t change it for anything. While I was finding myself and my passions, I discovered my indescribable love of

motorcycles! For me, there was nothing as empowering and exhilarating as getting on my bike and riding the coast line. I can still feel the sun on my back and the wind against my body; I can still feel the sense of zen and freedom that my bike brought me. Now, I know I have to fast track quiet a bit to get to my ‘who I am now’, but just keep in mind how passionate I am about that unmatched peaceful time of my life.

A few years in, COVID hit and it changed everyone’s life including mine. I was forced to move back to Canada, kicking and screaming the entire time.

I went from a glass penthouse condo to my mom’s apartment. As much as I cherish my mom, this felt like a huge slap in the face from life! I did what I could, got a job, bought a car, spent time with family, but nothing was the same. So, once again I followed my heart (like I always advise one should) and bought the same exact motorcycle as I had in Australia. The only mistake I made was not to consider my environment. I won’t blame myself because as we all know, that game is too easy to play. I will say, I learned from it. I was riding literally everyday in Australia and intended to do the same here in Brampton Ontario. Boy was I wrong, I didn’t even last a season before getting clipped and left on the side of the highway fighting for my life and my leg.

I’ll save you the gruesome details of the accident but I will tell you this, our fight or flight instinct is incredible. I remember every vivid moment of that grim night, from the impact my body felt hitting the concrete to the moments of fighting to survive. I remember the ambulance ride and the excoriating pain I felt through my body, my leg felt like it was dipped in acid, nothing I can ever define. I remember the paramedic (Amanda) yelling that we need to get to Sunnybrook NOW! The ambulance ride felt endless and I could barely hold on, then we arrived to the ER and finally a blessing…. sleep!

Coming to was terrifying; the pain, the drugs, the confusion, the denial, the strangers, no one knew where I was and neither did I! Many days/nights passed and only my sister was allowed to visit me because of the shame that seeped through me. I had only spent two weeks in Sunnybrook when they shipped me off to St. John’s

rehab. I thought Sunnybrook was depressing but my god St. John’s was brutal, the drugs wore off and reality hit HARD. The nights at St. John’s were dark and lonely, almost eerie. The hallways were pitch black and there was no escape, the thoughts were so loud and so cruel, constantly circling never ending, why can’t my brain just shut down! The same thought lived in my head rent free – this isn’t my life, this isn’t anyone’s life and I don’t want it! Prior to this accident, I had been a very active person. I loved the gym, hiking, running, biking, modelling, travelling and my biggest passion was getting on my motorcycle. I was the ’go to’ girl in both my professional and personal life, I took pride in everything I did and how I carried myself including my appearance. And now, a girl without a leg, rolling in a wheelchair down rehab hallways, isolated and desperate for this all to a just a horrible nightmare… it wasn’t! I needed

sanity and something anything else to focus on so the dark thoughts of ending it all would stop for even a minute. My sister (my angel) stepped into the ‘big sis’ role like a rockstar, she dived into research of what prosthetic I will need, compared the market, made contacts, spoke to doctors, while I (trying to maintain sanity, started shopping for motorcycles. I know how insane this might sound to you now, but I knew that if I lost my ability to ride again, I would never forgive myself for not trying. While my sister was contacting doctors, I was calling dealerships. I finally spoke to the Energy Power Sport team in Oakville and for the first time since the accident I felt HOPE! I spoke to Cherie, and ex 2-wheeler turned 3-wheeler fan and loving it, her words brought the biggest smile to face and my heart, maybe there’s a way after all. I bought my bike before I bought my leg, I did it to save my life!

While losing my mind night after night at rehab, I would stay up for hours reading every single article of THRIVE Limbloss magazine franticly searching for any article, any story that would bring clarity to the chaotic emotions and thoughts that were my new life. I just needed the slightest inclination of what tomorrow will be like, not 5-10-15 years from now, just tomorrow but there was nothing of the sort. That desperation turned into determination, I contacted the publisher of THRIVE and offered to share my journey from the very beginning so that when someone else is sitting in the same lost, confused, terrified seat that I’m in right now, that they would have something to turn to. This was the biggest turning point of my new life, something I never expected.

Six weeks later, I’m home, well a house that was once my home. This place looked the same but felt a whole lot different. What was once my safe haven quickly turned to an obstacle course from hell. My sister was there the entire time, and I couldn’t be more grateful however that gratitude came with guilt. I was in daily pain, mental stress, fighting dark demons every night... I hated the mirrors and the reflection. As we all know too well, when life takes us down these roads we can either give in or get up so I GOT UP. The way I looked at it was I didn’t have a choice, I have articles to write and motorcycles to ride. I needed more passions in my life to keep me motivated; I took my insecure beat-up bleeding body hopping on crutches and signed up for the gym. As soon as I walked in, I knew I would struggle but in a good way, the sort of struggle that would give you strength and I wanted to compete professionally on stage along side fully able people to prove to myself and

others that even if you can’t control the circumstances, you can control yourself. I gave myself a year while I recover, learn how to walk, deal with mental break downs, physical torment, to stand up proud on stage; and so I did and even placed!!

Healing is not linear, I had some great days and felt like myself and a baddie but some days were so unbearable for various reasons. Some days I got up and literally climbed the CN Tower to show people you can do anything you set your mind to and some days I didn’t leave the house, ordered wine and pizza while sobbing and feeling the pain. It took me a while to learn to allow myself to really feel, feel the

pain, the hurt, the trauma, but also feel the appreciation, the pride, the compassion I have for myself. I continued writing, riding, and working towards more goals which kept me focused on the potential and the positive. I decided to get certified as peer support for new amputees, to help them feel connected and hopeful in their journey. It’s been more rewarding than I ever expected and now as of recent I just joined the board to be more involved in my community. I volunteer at the hospitals and rehab centers just like the ones I was in, I work close with children with disabilities, have been featured in magazines to share my journey and inspire others, a guest speaker on several podcasts, made the cover of PARASPORT magazine, I’m the first female recipient of the NIKE running leg donation, I continue to write, ride, and now the first female brand ambassador for Energy Power Sport; the same people that brought a smile to my heart are now my Canam family.

It's not easy to wrap 4 years into a single article, a lot of missing memories and moments, but this is just to show you that you can turn even the most life altering traumas into fuel, desperation into determination and be proud of the reflection in the mirror. Don’t get me wrong, I still have bad days, why wouldn’t I, I’m still a human being having new experiences and struggling with emotions just like everyone else. If this experience has taught me one thing, it’s how to believe and trust myself. Trust that I will do whatever it takes to fight for myself, show up for myself, work on myself, forgive myself, grow myself, and allow myself to feel the emotions of life and experience it fully! That’s UNBREAKABLE!

Everyday Resiliency

DR. ROBYNE HANLEY DAFOE

Resiliency is often equated with grit, hardiness, and mental toughness. Yet, in my work with people from all around the world, people with diverse experiences and the most remarkable stories, what I’ve come to understand is that resiliency isn’t reserved only for the mentally tough, the strong, or the fearless. Each and every one of us has the capacity for resiliency.

Redefining Resiliency

Resiliency isn’t a fixed trait or state; it’s a constellation of skills, and behaviours that allows us to navigate not only the basic parts of our lives but also the hardest seasons.

As humans, our resilience naturally ebbs and flows depending on our circumstances. Some days, we might feel brave and bold enough to face the heavy and hard parts of life, while on other days, resilience may feel out of reach, and we struggle to tackle

life’s challenges. Similarly, there may be certain areas of life where we feel wildly resilient and others where we feel far less so. For example, you might handle setbacks at work with confidence and ease yet struggle with navigating your personal relationships. Maybe you find that you are patient and adaptable when it comes to parenting but feel overwhelmed when managing your own health. And perhaps there are some areas where you’ve had to be more resilient than you might want to be—because life didn’t give you another choice, and you had to find a way to persist.

This brings us to the idea of Everyday Resiliency—my approach emphasizes that what we do in the ordinary will make us extraordinary when called upon.

What Gets in the Way?

Stress. While stress can be healthy for mobilizing us into

action, many people today are being pushed beyond an optimal level of stress and into a state of distress. This affects us on a biological, physical, and emotional level and leaves us feeling less capable and less resourceful.

We know that simply being in hard times or situations doesn’t automatically make us better at managing stress, it is what we do before, during, and after the experience that strengthens our resolve and capacity.

Fear Fear is another barrier that gets in the way of people being able to show up, take on challenges, and do hard things. Whether triggered by real or imagined threats, fear is ultimately a survival mechanism—it exists to keep us safe, not to hold us back.

Yet, when we let fear go unacknowledged and unchecked, it can prevent us from pursuing opportunities,

taking smart risks, and living to our fullest potential. Being resilient doesn’t mean never feeling fear or never having moments of being afraid. Most things worth doing require us to choose bravery. It is in these moments that we grow and see what we’re truly capable of.

Stigma. There are many areas where stigma exists today. The weight of stigma limits not only how we see ourselves but also how we move through the world.

When we internalize these external beliefs as our own truth, our resilience and sense of selfworth begin to erode. If we leave these narratives unchecked, they can quietly shape our decisions, confidence, and ability to move forward. However, when we take ownership of our story, we take back our power. Shame loses its grip, and instead of fighting ourselves, we start fighting for ourselves.

The Five Pillars of Everyday Resiliency. Once we recognize what gets in the way, we can begin to meet those challenges with intention and create a new path forward. And this is where my framework of Everyday Resiliency comes in.

Belonging. We need to feel like we matter, like we’re connected to something beyond ourselves. Whether it’s within a family system, team, or organization, a sense of community is essential for helping us feel safe and supported. The size of the group isn’t important. What matters is that we feel seen, heard, and supported by at least one other person.

Ask yourself: Who is on my home team? Try this: Every morning, before you start any form of work, take a moment to connect with someone on your home team to check in.

Perspective. Perspective is

seeing how the big picture is made up of little moments, habits, and actions, and choosing wisely our next right step. It is having this beautiful alignment between our head and our heart to be able to make what matters most, matter most. Our perspective grows with our lived experience—the more we learn, see, seek out, question, and understand, the deeper our perspective becomes.

Ask yourself: What would I tell a friend going through this? Try this: Imagine you’re coaching someone else—what skills or advice would you offer to help them make the next right step possible?

Acceptance. Acceptance is about deciphering what is within our control and what isn’t. It means we’re honest about reality and stop spending our energy resisting what is. It doesn’t mean “getting over” or even liking what we’re experiencing. Instead, it involves making a daily decision to work with our controllables and the hand we’ve been dealt to the best of our ability in the moment.

Ask yourself: What is in my control, somewhat in my control, and completely outside of my control? Try this: Practice saying: “This is hard. And this is happening. And I can choose how to respond. I can do hard things.”

Hope. Hope is the inner knowing that possibility still exists, even if we can’t see it clearly. It’s fuel for the future. It is human nature to look for threats in any given situation. However, when we allow fear, regret, or anticipatory anxiety to prevail, we deplete our capacity to stay present. By choosing to live hope-filled, we have greater power to achieve our goals and bounce back from setbacks or disappointments. Hope is more than optimism; it is holding this deep trust that

better days are ahead. Ask yourself: What’s still possible, even in this? Or... If I trusted that I am well-resourced to handle this, how would I show up right now?

Try this: Seek out a story of hope today or share your own hopefilled story.

Humour. Humour helps lighten the heaviness. Laughter serves a biological purpose, as it releases natural tranquilizers in the brain that temporarily block pain receptors and offer a moment of reprieve. Embracing small moments of lightheartedness helps us shift our mindset and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Ask yourself: When was the last time I laughed—like really laughed? Try this: Find something that makes you laugh today. Watch a funny video. Share a silly meme. Or yes—try swearing (the floating, expressive kind—not directed at anyone). Research says it might even help you live longer. There’s hope for many of us!

The Path Forward. I believe that each and every one of us is doing the best we can with the tools, energy, resources, and knowledge available to us today. And that is enough.

The reality is that everyday life is hard, unpredictable, and uncertain. Being resilient doesn’t mean never experiencing stress, being fearless, or never being impacted by our emotions, experiences, or the beliefs of the outside world. It means we acknowledge the challenge, give ourselves grace, and take the next right step.

At its core, resiliency is about seeing ourselves as capable of doing hard things and holding the steadfast belief that we can and will navigate the hard parts of our lives, no matter what.

From Surviving To Healing

MY JOURNEY BEYOND THE JERSEY

KENDRA FISHER

There was a time in my life when everything I did pointed toward a single goal, playing hockey for Team Canada. That jersey represented more than sport. It was my identity, validation, purpose. It was the clearest definition I had of I understood myself to be.

And for a moment, I made it. I was in the program. I had achieved what so many young athletes dream of.

But what most people didn’t see was what it took for me to get there, and what it would have cost to stay. Because behind the performance was a silent war I didn’t know how to talk about. I was battling something I didn’t even have language for at the time. Anxiety wasn’t yet a household word, and it wasn’t something you admitted in elite sports, especially not as a woman trying to prove she was strong

enough to belong.

I had grown up believing that mental toughness meant never showing weakness. That resilience meant pushing harder, skating faster, doing more. So, I kept going. I trained through the panic. I hid the fear behind performance. I lived in a constant state of alert, wired, braced, and ready to fight through whatever came next.

Until I couldn’t anymore

When the anxiety became debilitating, when I couldn’t leave the house without spiraling into panic, when I couldn’t sleep, when my body started to break down under the pressure, I had to make a choice I never imagined I would. I walked away from the dream.

I left Team Canada. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. My life depended on it. That decision broke my heart and saved my

life.

In the days and months that followed, I was officially diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Clinical Depression, Agoraphobia, and OCD. For the first time, I had names for the chaos that had taken over my world. But diagnosis was just the beginning. Understanding the problem didn’t make it go away. If anything, it made it more real, tangible, unavoidable.

But I made a choice early on, one that would anchor me through everything, giving up was not an option. I took giving up off the table. I wasn’t ready to heal. I wasn’t even sure healing was possible. But I was willing to survive. And so, I did.

I poured myself into recovery the only way I knew how, intensely. I learned how to cope with my new reality, which often meant managing my life

one breath, one meal, one hour at a time. I became a student of survival. I tried everything, fitness, nutrition, talk therapy, medication, mindfulness. I developed structure, routine, discipline. I kept myself busy, always seeking control.

There’s a strange kind of pride that comes with surviving. It feels like strength. And in many ways, it is. Those years taught me how to endure. They gave me tools. They gave me the space to stay alive. And I am grateful for every part of that.

But I also started noticing something else, something I didn’t want to admit at first. I was always reaching. Always consuming. Always trying to find more. Another podcast. Another book. Another therapist. Another expert. I was constantly looking outside of myself for the next solution, for someone or something that could fix me.

Because I still believed, deep down, that I was broken.

For years, I kept myself upright through discipline and strategy. I managed my life like it was a full-time crisis. Until something changed. Two things happened that forced me to stop running.

The first was my diagnosis of Endometriosis. It brought a kind of physical pain that didn’t care how strong my mindset was. I couldn’t exercise through it. I couldn’t distract or outpace it. It slowed me down in a way nothing else had.

The second was losing my dad. Watching him fade. Holding space for his suffering. Losing the man who had always quietly been the foundation of our family. It stripped me of any illusion of control I still had left. I was tired. Not the kind of tired you can sleep off. The kind of tired that lives in your bones. I didn’t have the energy

to keep performing healing. I couldn’t fake strength anymore. I couldn’t do anymore.

And so, for the first time, I stopped. That’s when I met the version of myself, I’d been avoiding all along. The one who didn’t have it all together. The one who wasn’t bouncing back. The one who was hurting and afraid and exhausted. The one I’d been trying to outrun.

And that’s where the real healing began. Not in fixing, but in feeling. started to see healing differently. Not as a destination, not as a constant to-do list, but as an invitation. A chance to reconnect with who I was underneath all the coping. A chance to let go of what no longer served me, not with resentment, but with gratitude.

I found somatic therapy. Nervous system regulation. Polyvagal theory. I began to understand how trauma lives in the body, how survival patterns get hardwired into our nervous systems, and how healing isn’t just a mindset, it’s an embodied experience.

I started working with practitioners who helped me come back into my body. I learned how to feel without being overwhelmed. How to listen to the messages beneath my symptoms. How to build safety from the inside out.

I learned about neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways. And for the first time, I saw healing not as repairing damage, but as creating new experience.

What this looked like wasn’t revolutionary. It was simple, consistent, and slow. It was feeling my feet on the ground. It was learning to stay present through discomfort. It was choosing rest. Letting myself cry. Saying no. Doing less. Being

honest. Staying soft. And over time, I began to trust myself again. I began to understand that my worth was never in my performance. It was in my presence. That’s what I bring to the work I do now.

As a mental health coach and professional speaker, I have the privilege of sharing my story with thousands. I get to stand in rooms where people feel like they’re the only ones going through it and remind them they’re not. I get to offer tools and strategies that saved my life, yes, but more importantly, I get to reflect people back to themselves.

Because I’m not here to be the solution. I’m not trying to be someone’s answer. I want to be the coach nobody needs for long. Because true healing doesn’t come from someone else fixing you. It comes from remembering who you are. From seeing yourself clearly. From coming back to your own voice, your own truth, your own power.

That’s what I want for everyone. Reconnection. To ourselves, to spirituality, the acceptance that we are not in control, we are here to experience this all as it happens.

I believe we all deserve to know that we are not too broken to begin again. That we are allowed to grieve and hope. That pain does not cancel out joy. That fear does not disqualify us from love.

We get to hold it all. The grief, the joy, the mess, the peace. We get to stop healing like it’s a job and start living like it’s a gift. We get to be here. Fully. Not because everything is perfect. But because it doesn’t have to be.

Unlocking The Power Of Your Third Chapter

DR. DEBORAH ROSATI

Lately, I’ve been talking to women about how to make the most of their third chapter.

You might be familiar with the theory that your career can be divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, you learn the ropes and build your expertise; this phase is about establishing a solid foundation for your future career. In the second chapter, you carry out the work, develop your career, and climb the ladder. Often, this is when you assume management roles, reach key milestones, and enhance your profile as a leader and decision-maker.

The third chapter of life typically involves a transition from traditional career pursuits to something new. For many, this can be a time of renewed purpose, exploration, and fulfillment. This stage is abundant in potential and offers a unique opportunity to harness your abilities in transformative ways.

If the first chapter focuses on preparing for your life’s work and the second on doing your life’s work, consider the third chapter a time to give back to your life’s work. Since entering this phase, I’ve learned that a profound sense of fulfillment comes from sharing the knowledge, skills, and experiences you have accumulated with others.

Unlocking the Power of Your

Third Chapter

If that sounds worthwhile to you, I encourage you to dedicate the final phase of your career to giving back. Here’s what I’ve learned about harnessing the power of your third chapter.

1. Purposeful Living

Start by investing time to uncover what truly inspires and drives you. View it as a chance to harmonize your life with

your passions and values by engaging in activities that offer profound personal satisfaction and significance.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to reach the pinnacle of the business world as a leader and corporate director. However, I could not have achieved this without the guidance and support of many mentors, sponsors, and colleagues on my journey. When I entered my third chapter, I realized that what excited me was the opportunity to give back by sending the elevator down for other women. Armed with decades of experience, skills, and knowledge, I knew I was the perfect person to help the next generation of women advance into leadership roles.

That insight inspired me to found Women Get On Board Inc. (WGOB) in 2015. I recognized the need to create a community that connects, promotes, and empowers more women to lead and serve on corporate boards. In the 10

years since founding WGOB, our membership has grown to over 1,000. As Founder and CEO of Women Get On Board, I am privileged to lead a company that amplifies the voices of women leaders, board members, and professionals across Canada, fostering a new generation of women in the boardroom, one woman at a time.

2. Continuous Learning Embrace curiosity and continually broaden your horizons. Whether you engage in formal education, workshops, or self-directed study, learning sharpens the mind and reveals new possibilities. That’s why I am committed to being a lifelong student.

Some of my learning is essential for maintaining my professional designations. As a CPA, I must invest in education annually and track my professional development hours on CPA Canada’s LumiQ platform. To uphold my ICD.D and Competent Boards governance certifications

(GPC.D & CCB.D), I attend governance conferences, participate in virtual education sessions, and dedicate time each week to reading about current governance and leadership trends.

However, I actively pursue education beyond what is required because I believe in enhancing my knowledge and skills both inside and outside the boardroom. For instance, this year I have committed to deepening my understanding of diversity and inclusion as part of my professional development.

3. Embracing Change

Embrace new experiences and change. The third chapter often brings lifestyle shifts, such as more free time or a shift in professional focus. These changes can be powerful catalysts for personal growth, inviting you to explore new things and challenge yourself.

When I founded Women Get On Board, I viewed it as

an opportunity to embrace change and give back during my next career phase. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2025, I am grateful that I took the leap. I chose to dedicate this third chapter to my social mission — driving change and making a meaningful impact by increasing women's presence on boards.

I believe in the power of three: one woman on a board is a token, two is a presence, and three is a voice.

4. Health and Well-being

Prioritize your health by cultivating habits that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition are essential elements of a successful and sustainable third chapter.

In my daily practice, I nourish my mind, body, and soul. I start my day by reading and absorbing news online to energize my mind for the day

ahead. Then, I follow that with a 30-minute yoga session and a walk outdoors. I also include 20 minutes of weightlifting three to four times a week. My motto is, “Strong women stay young.”

5. Strengthening Relationships Dedicate time to nurture and strengthen relationships with family, friends, and the community. Strong connections enhance happiness and offer a solid foundation of emotional support during this phase of your journey.

In Mel Robbins's book, The Let Them Theory, she discusses what she refers to as the Pillars of Friendship — proximity, timing, and energy. As part of her analysis, she shares research from the University of Kansas, revealing that casual friendships require 74 hours of interaction, while close friendships demand over 200 hours.

Recognizing that fostering

relationships requires proximity, timing, and energy, Robbins encourages embracing the natural evolution of friendships rather than forcing connections that no longer fulfill your needs. By acknowledging and reclaiming personal agency in your relationships, you may find it easier to identify and effectively nurture the important connections in your life.

6. Creative Expression

Consider hobbies or creative pursuits that you might have overlooked in earlier stages of your career. A new interest can invigorate and motivate you, whether you engage in painting, writing, music, or other artistic activities. When my marriage ended in my late 40s, it marked a significant turning point in my life. I delved deeper into my yoga practice during this transition, eventually pursuing a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification. It was the best decision I made at that stage of my life. I am grateful for pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and following a long-held passion. Namaste!

7. Volunteering and Mentorship

Share your knowledge and skills to positively impact your community and beyond. Volunteer or mentor to enrich your life and the lives of others.

Mentoring has been immensely rewarding in both formal and informal settings. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back in this way and have prioritized it throughout my career.

As part of that effort, I have developed two mentorship programs. At Women Get On Board, we launched the WGOB Mentorship Program in 2021 to connect aspiring women board members with experienced women corporate directors. I am proud to announce that this year marks the beginning of its fifth cohort.

At my alma mater, Brock University, I launched the Deborah Rosati Women in Leadership Mentorship Program in 2023 to create mentoring experiences for women leaders. It has evolved into a diverse community of mentors and mentees, offering partnership and engagement opportunities for future leaders.

8. Financial Planning

Consider preparing for this stage of life by aiming for financial independence. Thoughtful investments and financial discipline in the early years of your career will allow you to explore new opportunities later without financial stress.

I have been fortunate to have the support of an excellent investment advisor for the past 23 years. They have guided me through various life changes to achieve my financial independence in this third chapter.

9. Legacy Building

Reflect on the impact you wish to create in the world. Engage in projects or initiatives that resonate with your values and contribute positively to future generations.

As part of my legacy, I am grateful to have two wonderful adult sons with loving partners and two grandchildren. I take pleasure in supporting their education and fostering memorable family experiences that will enrich our lives both today and in the future.

10. Self-Reflection and Growth

Take this time for introspection to understand your past experiences and shape your future path. Reflect on your achievements and the lessons learned to foster personal growth and fulfillment.

The third chapter offers a unique blend of freedom and opportunity, enabling you to shape a life that reflects your true self. By consciously and passionately engaging with this period, you can foster a fulfilling and empowering progression in your life journey.

Spot Touch-Up

THE SPRING BEAUTY TREND THAT’S ALL ABOUT LESS (BUT SMARTER) JENN HARPER

If you’re still carrying a fullface foundation routine into spring, this is your invitation to lighten up—literally.

This season, it’s all about spot touch-up: the smart, minimalist approach to makeup that lets your skin breathe while giving you just enough coverage exactly where you want it. Think less mask, more magic wand. You’re enhancing—not hiding.

At Cheekbone Beauty, we’ve been championing skin-first beauty since day one. It’s our answer to the growing demand for makeup that’s precise, portable, and rooted in real skin.

Why Spot Touch-Up Works:

• Targeted Application Spot-correct under the eyes, around the nose, or on blemishes—without covering your entire face.

• Fewer Layers, More Glow Skip the cakey buildup. With

cream stick formulas, your skin still looks and feels like skin.

• Speed + SimplicityThis is the ideal routine for busy mornings, airport touch-ups, and hot weather when you want makeup that won’t melt off.

Why the Unify Multi Pencil is the MVP:

• It’s not foundation. It’s not concealer. It’s not contour. It’s all of them—in one easy-to-use pencil.

• Our creamy, skin-loving formula blends effortlessly with fingers or brushes.

• It comes in 15 flexible shades to match your tone or build dimension.

• And maybe best of all? It fits in your smallest bag, making it your ultimate vacation or everyday companion.

Spring Refresh Tip:

Want to streamline your beauty bag? Replace heavy bottles and bulky compacts with just

a couple multi-tasking sticks. You’ll save space, time, and still look fresh wherever your day (or flight) takes you.

So as you prep for spring weekends, vacations, and warm-weather adventures, consider this your permission to simplify. Let spot touch-up be your secret weapon—and let your real skin take the spotlight.

Find the Unify Multi Pencil at Sephora Canada, and get ready to glow.

The Give Back... To Yourself

SIOBHAN CALDERBANK

There was a time when I didn’t accept being imperfect. I know, it sounds ridiculous—because of course we’re all imperfect. But when you’re wearing the invisible cape of Superwoman, you forget that truth. You start to believe you need to do it all, be it all, and somehow make it look effortless while you're at it.

That’s the trap of the Superwoman Syndrome Superwoman Syndrome refers to a phenomenon where a woman strives to achieve perfection in all spheres of her life and feels overwhelmed and highly stressed. The Superwoman Syndrome is sneaky. It shows up in late-night emails, overpacked calendars, skipped meals, and smiles that mask exhaustion. It whispers lies like, “You’re only valuable if you’re productive,” and, “You have to be everything to everyone.”

In this relentless pursuit of balance – being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sibling, a leader, a

mentor and so many other roles— many women try to master it all flawlessly. But perfection isn’t just unattainable, it’s exhausting. And that exhaustion leads to burnout, self-doubt, and guilt that we’re somehow never doing enough. The pressure to balance it all can feel like juggling with fire while riding a unicycle… on a tightrope.

But here’s what I’ve come to learn: You don’t need to juggle everything. You just need to focus on the big rocks—those core priorities that matter most. Everything else will find its place. What matters more than anything else, is learning to accept yourself fully, freely and imperfectly.

Self-love isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

It’s okay to take a vacation day and go to the spa. Go get that haircut. Splurge on that fancy coffee with the whipped cream. For me, it’s indulging in toffee cookies! It’s the little moments—those

tiny acts of kindness you give yourself—that remind you that you matter. You’re worth the care, the celebration and the kindness to yourself.

We often talk about pouring into others, but what are you pouring from? You can’t fill another person’s cup from one that’s bone-dry.

Giving back to yourself is not about indulgence; it’s about restoration. And one of the most powerful ways you can do that is through positive self-talk. That quiet voice in your head can be your harshest critic or your greatest cheerleader. Choose the latter. Speak kindly to yourself. Encourage yourself. Celebrate yourself.

Celebrate the small wins and the stumbles.

Last week, I was in Minneapolis for work. My son had a parentteacher conference the evening

I was flying back. I stressed over the logistics. My flight was cutting it close, and I had packed everything into a carry-on to save time. But when I got to the gate, I found out only the first 25 people could bring theirs onboard. My seat was at the back, so guess who had to check her bag? Yep. Cue the anxiety. That delay meant I’d have to wait at the carousel before rushing to the school.

Somehow, I made it - luggage retrieved, Uber secured, and I walked into that school with eight minutes to spare. Sure, my son was a little embarrassed seeing me roll in with a suitcase like I was fresh off a runway. But I was there. He knew I showed up for him. That, to me, was a win. Not perfect. But perfectly present. We don’t always acknowledge these moments, but we should because they matter.

And you know what else we should celebrate? Our mistakes. Every mistake teaches us something new. Mistakes aren’t the opposite of success. They’re the pathway to it. Mistakes are where learning lives.

I remember early in my career I spent days crafting a bold, brilliant presentation to drive a major initiative forward at work. I was so focused on getting the message right that I forgot something essential—the people. I didn’t take time to socialize the idea with key stakeholders beforehand. I hadn’t built early buy-in. So, when I presented it, I was met with raised eyebrows and a lot of, “Why now?” and “How does this fit?” questions. That feedback resulted in more socialization and almost delayed the project. It was frustrating in the moment—but eye-opening, too.

That experience reminded me that communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about when you say it, and to whom. Now, I always take the time to connect with key individuals

before the big moments. That mistake made me better. More intentional. More effective. So yes –celebrate your mistakes, because in every misstep, there’s wisdom waiting.

More than anything, celebrate you.

Celebrate your awesomeness and your uniqueness. Celebrate the way you light up rooms with your ideas or your laughter. Celebrate the way you push through hard days with grace. Celebrate the way you comfort others, even when you’re quietly nursing your own wounds.

Your Superwoman cape doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t need to be starched and pressed. It can be flowy, edgy, sparkly—or full of perfectly placed holes and stitched-up stories. It’s yours and it’s custom made. What makes you unbreakable isn’t perfection. It’s your authenticity. It’s your courage to keep going, even when things feel heavy.

Being unbreakable means you

don’t sweat the small stuff. It means you understand that small, intentional actions—when added up over time—lead to big successes. But along the journey, you must pause to reflect, breathe, and most of all, give back to yourself.

You deserve the same compassion you extend to everyone else. You deserve the same energy you pour into your family, your team, your community. You deserve to rest, to receive, and to rise.

At the heart of it, being unbreakable isn’t about being invincible. It’s about being human and choosing to love that person in the mirror fiercely, flaws and all.

So, here’s to you!

To your little indulgences. To your messy, magical journey. To the softness beneath your strength.

To the woman who gives so much—and is finally remembering to give back… to herself!

You Inc.: Take Control of Your Enterprise

ROSE MARIE GAGE

For too long, many women have navigated their lives reacting to external forces – the demands of family, career pressures, societal expectations. Think about it, what if you shifted your perspective? What if you saw yourself not just as a person, but as the CEO/ Founder of your most vital enterprise: You, Inc.?

I have been in these shoes and still am. I was a CEO of a multimillion-dollar organization, run a business and serve as Board Chair or other board roles of differing entities. The CEO/ Founder mindset is important to consider. This is about adopting the mindset of a Chief Executive Officer/Founder when it comes to managing your own well-being, resources, and future. It recognizes that YOU are your most asset, and deserve an intentional perspective to strategic planning, proactive investment, resource security and decisive leadership.

Think about it, a successful CEO/Founder doesn't wait for crises to manage their company's finances or the wellbeing of their employees. They develop budgets, implement wellness programs, and make strategic decisions to ensure long-term growth and stability, with a view of all resources. Perhaps you should afford yourself the same level of care and foresight, no matter what your current role is?

The Balance Sheet of You,

Inc.

When we think about resources and organizations, we often jump to finances. And while financial literacy and stability is important, the balance sheet of You, Inc. encompasses so much more:

• Time: This is your most precious and non-renewable resource. Are you allocating it strategically to align with your priorities, or are you letting it be dictated by others?

• Energy: Both physical and mental. Are you investing in activities that replenish your energy, or are you constantly operating on empty or worrying about where the next fuel source will come from?

• Skills and knowledge: This is about your human capital. Are you continuously learning and developing, ensuring your "company" remains competitive and adaptable? Are you stretching and growing?

• Relationships: This is your network of support, both personal and professional. Are you nurturing these vital connections that provide strength and opportunity?

As CEO/Founder of You, Inc., it's your responsibility to audit these resources, identify areas of depletion, and implement strategies for sustainable growth. This might involve setting boundaries to protect

your time, prioritizing sleep and exercise to boost your energy, investing in professional development, or consciously cultivating meaningful relationships.

Prioritizing Health and Welfare

No successful organization thrives with a neglected workforce. Your health and welfare are the cornerstones of You, Inc. This is about proactively fostering a state of well-being that allows you to operate at your full potential and to build up your reserves.

• Physical health: Regular check-ups, nourishing food, and consistent movement are non-negotiable investments in your primary asset.

• Mental health: Just like any good CEO/Founder supports their team's mental wellbeing, you need to prioritize your own. This might involve therapy, mindfulness practices, mastermind groups or creating daily space for rest and reflection.

• Emotional health: Recognizing and processing your emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and cultivating self-compassion are crucial for long-term resilience.

As the CEO/Founder, you are empowered to make decisions that prioritize your health, even if it means saying "no" to external demands or reevaluating commitments that drain you.

The Power of the CEO/ Founder Mindset

Adopting the CEO/Founder mindset for You, Inc. is about shifting from a passive recipient of life's demands to an active architect of your own well-being. It involves:

• Setting a vision: What do you want your life to look and feel like in the short-term and long-term? Define your goals and create a strategic plan to achieve them.

• Making strategic decisions: Evaluate opportunities and commitments through the lens of their impact on your overall well-being and resources.

• Delegating: While you are the CEO/Founder, recognize that you don't have to do everything yourself. Seek support, delegate tasks where appropriate, and build a strong "board of advisors" (your trusted few).

• Monitoring and evaluating: Regularly assess your progress, identify what's working, and make necessary adjustments to your "business plan."

• Advocating for yourself: As CEO/Founder, you are your own best advocate. Assert your needs, set boundaries, and prioritize your well-being.

• Taking Risks: Calculated risks for growth are important to combat stagnating. Take a look at what excites you, try it and see how it fits in your overall plan.

By embracing the "You, Inc." mentality, we can move from feeling overwhelmed and reactive to empowered and proactive. It's about recognizing your inherent value, strategically managing your resources, and fiercely protecting your health and welfare. Join me in taking the helm and lead your most important enterprise –yourself – towards a future of sustainable success and wellbeing.

IThe Power Of Us

HOW COMMUNITY TRANSFORMED MY LIFE AND PURPOSE

KADINE COOPER

’ve always believed that we don’t rise alone. We rise together. And if there's one thing that has carried me through the highest peaks and deepest valleys of my life, it’s community.

Community isn’t just about people being around you, it’s about the people who truly see you. The ones who celebrate your wins and walk beside you through your mess. It’s about belonging. And in a world that often rewards hustle and isolation, community is one of the most radical acts of selfpreservation and growth.

My Journey From Isolation To Impact

I’ve worn many hats throughout my career, fashion merchandiser, make-up artist, talent manager, executive coach. Each chapter was filled with lessons, heartbreaks, and breakthroughs. But the thread that ran through them all was a quiet yearning for connection that went deeper than surfacelevel networking.

The turning point came when I transitioned into full time entrepreneurship as a career coach. It was here that I discovered not only my passion, but also my people. I began to witness, time and time again, how community isn’t just a niceto-have, it’s a must for anyone trying to grow, heal, or lead.

I remember one particular event I attended. It wasn’t flashy. There were no big-name speakers or fancy agendas. Just a circle of women, showing up in raw honesty. I spoke about the imposter syndrome I was facing at the time, expecting judgment. Instead, I was met with nods, tears, and shared stories. In that moment, I felt something shift. I was no longer just surviving I was seen, supported, and encouraged to soar while giving others the permission to do the same.

Community As A Catalyst For Change

One of the most powerful things about community is that it reflects back to you who you are

when you've forgotten. When you’re in the right circle, your dreams don’t feel too big. Your voice doesn’t feel too loud. Your ambition isn’t "too much." It’s just enough.

Through my coaching practice, I’ve had the honour of walking alongside incredible individuals who have leveraged community to propel them forward, with the embodiment of the Ubuntu motto & philosophy “I am because we are”.

Take Kim, a brilliant woman who felt invisible in her corporate role. Through joining a peer mastermind group, she found her confidence, negotiated a promotion, and finally launched the side business she had buried for years.

Or Michelle, who always felt like an outsider in the tech space. It wasn’t until she intentionally created a community of fellow BIPOC professionals that she realized she wasn’t alone and neither was her vision.

These aren’t rare stories. They’re everyday miracles that happen when people are willing to connect beyond the job title and share their truth.

Connection Over Comparison

Social media has a way of making us feel like everyone has it all together. But connection beats comparison every time. I’ve learned that when I open up about my challenges, whether it's navigating motherhood while running a business, or doubting myself before a big keynote, that’s when others lean in and say, “Me too.”

That’s the magic of community. It turns shame into solidarity.

When we choose to show up as we are, we give others permission to do the same. And it’s in that sacred space of authenticity where transformation truly begins.

How to Build Community with Intention

I often get asked, "How do I find the right community?" My answer: you don’t find it, you build it.

Here’s what I’ve learned about creating meaningful connections:

Lead with curiosity, not agenda. When you meet someone, ask about their story. People light up when they feel heard.

Give before you ask. Share a resource, offer support, cheer someone on. Generosity builds bridges.

Be consistent. Relationships grow over time. Check in, follow up, and show up, even when it’s inconvenient.

Host your own table. Can’t find the space you crave? Create it. Start a monthly Zoom coffee chat or a local meetup. Get vulnerable. The most profound connections come

from moments of realness, not perfection.

Collaboration Over Competition

When you’re in alignment with your values and surround yourself with others who are, magic happens. I’ve collaborated on events, coauthored pieces, and even built programs with people I met through intentional networking. But these collaborations weren’t born from business cards, they grew from genuine relationships.

Let me tell you, some of my biggest opportunities, speaking engagements, partnerships, client referrals, came not from cold emails, but from warm connections. People who believed in me because they knew me.

So, if you're wondering how to level up, grow your brand, or reignite your purpose, start with connecting with people.

You Were Never Meant to Do This Alone

To anyone reading this who feels isolated, unseen, or unsure of where they fit, please know, your people are out there. And they’re probably waiting for you to go first.

Show up. Speak up. Start the conversation. Whether it’s in a group chat, a coffee shop, or a virtual room, plant seeds of connection. Nurture them. And watch what grows.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how far we go, how high we climb, or how successful we become, it’s who we’re with that makes it all worth it.

You weren’t just born to shine. You were born to connect, collaborate, and create alongside others.

So go out there and build the village you deserve.

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Unshakable Confidence

How to Expand and Stabilize Your Inner Power BRIAN COONES

We all want to feel confident, not just occasionally, but consistently. That grounded, steady presence where we know who we are, trust our direction, and don’t wobble when life throws a curveball. But here’s the truth I’ve discovered after years of coaching, inner work, and hard life lessons: confidence isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about expanding your capacity—and learning how to stabilize it.

Expansion feels excellent in the moment. A breakthrough breathwork session, an inspiring conversation, a profound meditation—these experiences give us glimpses of our full potential. Everything clicks. The mind is still. The heart is open. The body feels light and powerful. But then, just as quickly, it’s gone. We snap back to old patterns, looping thoughts, and self-doubt. That’s not failure. That’s the nervous

system doing what it’s designed to do: keeping us safe.

True confidence comes not from peak states, but from building a system that can hold those states without collapse. It’s not about how high you can fly but how grounded you are when you land.

The Nervous System: Your Confidence Regulator

Your nervous system is your internal thermostat. It doesn’t care whether your new insight is profound or your breakthrough is life-changing—it only asks: Can I process this without triggering a stress response? If the answer is no, the system buffers or even shuts down.

This is why we often feel exhausted after an emotional high or a powerful shift. Our biology hasn’t caught up. The energy was real, but the system wasn’t yet

prepared to sustain it. We haven’t trained it to recognize that state as usual.

The key to unshakable confidence is not just expanding your awareness or leveling up your life—it’s teaching your body and mind that this new version of you is safe, stable, and sustainable.

Confidence Is Capacity

Confidence isn’t bravado. Its capacity.

It’s the ability to stay present under pressure, to hold your boundaries without aggression, and to trust yourself even when things get messy. That confidence requires nervous system resilience, metabolic support, and a commitment to embodiment.

When you stretch beyond your current capacity—mentally,

emotionally, or energetically— your system will self-correct unless it has the structure to hold the new state. That self-correction isn’t a setback. It’s a map. It shows you where you’re being called to build.

Stabilize Before You Scale

So, how do we train our system to hold higher states of confidence and self-belief without crashing back?

Here are four practical steps:

1. Micro-dose Expansion

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to feel confident. Practice it in small, daily actions. Speak your truth in low-stakes conversations. Try something new before you're “ready.” Let your nervous system gradually get used to taking up more space without fear of rejection or collapse.

2. Train Your Nervous System

Just like lifting weights strengthens your body, exposure to safe, controlled discomfort strengthens your nervous system. Use breathwork, cold exposure, structured rest, or oscillation (moving between high and low energy states) to increase your window of tolerance. The goal? To make confidence your resting baseline, not a peak you crash from.

3. Support Your Biology

Confidence is embodied. You can’t hold powerful energy in a depleted body. Mitochondrial health, oxygen efficiency, sleep, and proper nutrition directly affect how well your system can sustain expansion. Breathwork, sunlight, low-intensity endurance training, and even supplements like magnesium or CoQ10 can help your body become a reliable container for growth.

4. Practice State Transitions

Can you move from deep awareness to making dinner without losing yourself? From a confident keynote speech to parenting with patience? Absolute confidence lives in the transitions. Practice shifting between expansion and the mundane until it all feels seamless. That’s when confidence becomes who you are, not something you must summon.

From “Holding It Together” to “This Is Who I Am”

You’ll know you’re stabilizing when the things that once felt like breakthroughs begin to feel normal. Not because they’ve lost their magic, but because you’ve adapted. Your system no longer sees your power as a threat. Your nervous system stops bracing for

a crash. You stop managing your energy like a fragile resource. And this is where absolute confidence lives: in the ordinary moments where power feels natural. Where self-belief isn’t effortful, it just is. You don’t have to keep reaching for, performing, or proving it. You’ve become it.

Final Words

Confidence is not about adding something new. It’s about removing the resistance that makes expansion feel like an effort. The more your system adapts, the more effortless your growth becomes. This is the difference between self-belief that burns out and self-belief that becomes your foundation. So if you’ve ever felt like you’ve touched your potential only to snap back, be kind to yourself. Your system isn’t failing. It’s just stabilizing. Your job is building the structure to hold more of who you already are. This isn’t about hype. It’s about holding. Confidence isn’t a performance. It’s a process of becoming unshakably you— mind, body, and nervous system aligned.

HRooted, Not Shaken

RISING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED SPINNING

i, I’m a banking leader, a Certified Financial Planner, and a proud father of three young daughters. I’ve spent over 2 decades in financial services, moving through roles in retail banking, financial planning, and commercial banking. I’ve had the privilege of leading teams, building client relationships, and growing in an industry that is constantly evolving. But none of those titles—not even “dad”— prepared me for one of the most defining and uncertain seasons of my life.

SCOTT BELL

In 2019, I made a bold move. I accepted a new role within a large financial institution—one that excited me, stretched me, and terrified me. It was a role I was largely inexperienced in, and one that required significant investment to train me properly. That might have been manageable on its own, but the timing couldn’t have been more uncertain: the company was making large cutbacks, and I was reporting to a new leadership team I had no history with. I didn’t have a brand with them. I hadn’t

built up trust. In every sense, I was vulnerable.

To raise the stakes further—I had two children under the age of three at home, and my wife and I were expecting our third. The pressure to succeed wasn’t just professional; it was deeply personal. I felt the weight of needing to provide, to protect, and to prove that I could rise to this challenge.

I realized very quickly that there was no time to sit back and wait. I

needed to immerse myself in the new role, fast. I read everything I could, asked smart questions, took on difficult files, and proactively looked for ways to add value. I focused on learning the business deeply—what mattered to my leader, what success looked like to the executive team, and where the gaps were that I could help fill. I didn’t want to just be seen as “worth the investment”—I wanted to become someone they couldn’t imagine doing without.

And then, just months into this journey, the world shut down.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, everything changed. Economic uncertainty was everywhere. Companies accelerated costcutting measures. Fear was high. Suddenly, my role took on a whole new meaning. I wasn’t just learning—I was called to lead. To help my company manage risk. To support the frontline teams serving our clients—many of whom were small business owners navigating chaos.

Looking back, that year was a whirlwind. Long hours, virtual meetings, rapidly shifting priorities, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Something else happened too: I grew. I discovered a depth of resilience I didn’t know I had. I became a better banker, a stronger communicator, and a more empathetic leader.

I’m incredibly grateful to say I landed well. The work I put in helped me not only survive the uncertainty but build a foundation for the next stage of my career. Since then, I’ve continued to grow in leadership and impact. But here’s the truth: even if I hadn’t kept my job, I still would have come out ahead. Because I invested in the one thing I knew I could control—myself.

I became someone who could step into the unknown, adapt quickly, add value under pressure,

and still come home and be “dad.” That experience gave me more confidence than any title ever could.

To anyone reading this—especially those navigating a season of change—I want to share a few lessons I took with me:

Invest in yourself, even when you’re afraid. No one will value you more than you value yourself. Learn, stretch, and stay curious.

Don’t wait for certainty to show up with confidence. You can build a reputation quickly when you take initiative and align your work with what matters most.

Relationships matter. Build them before you need them. Trust is your greatest currency in uncertain times.

Home life isn’t separate from your resilience—it’s part of it. Being a father gave me strength

and purpose, even when the professional pressures felt overwhelming.

You are allowed to grow through fear, not just past it. Growth isn’t about avoiding fear—it’s about moving through it anyway.

Today, I’m still learning, still leading, and still betting on myself. The future will always carry some uncertainty, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to be certain to be strong. I just have to be rooted.

To my daughters—one day you’ll face moments where you feel unsure or out of place. I hope you remember that your value doesn’t depend on external validation. You are already enough. Keep learning. Keep building. Keep betting on yourself.

Because when you do, you’ll discover what I did: you are unbreakable.

What A Rock & Roll Reunion Can Teach

Iremember the day John Bonham died.

I was 10 years old in a variety store with a freezy in one sticky hand and a chocolate bar in the other. The news came through fuzzy on a transistor radio by the register. As a lifelong rock and roll fan, I was devastated even then. Not as devastated as the shopkeep, evidently, as he hurled a freezer through the window. Glass shattered along

leaf-swept autumn streets with a crash.

I suspect the shopkeep may have had Led Zeppelin tickets.

Cold wind whistled through the hole in the window and police sirens blared. I dropped my goodies on the mud-streaked tile floor, hurrying from the shop. In variety stores, the fivesecond rule does not apply.

Led Zeppelin, perhaps the greatest rock and roll band in history, made the impossible decision to disband shortly thereafter.

I didn’t know it then, but over the course of my life I would have innumerable what we’ll call “freezer chucking moments,” see: moments in which the only reasonable course of action seems to be to chuck a freezer through a

As an entrepreneur, I’ve found myself teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. I’ve experienced personal and professional loss. Sometimes in life or in business, you get kicked in the head by an unavoidable tragedy outside of your control. It leaves you with little recourse short of throwing a freezer through a window.

However, other times, you take a deep breath, you sit down at your desk, and you find the way forward. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page would go on to carve out tremendous careers outside of Zeppelin. And on 10 December 2007, Zeppelin reunited for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at the O2 Arena in London. Jason Bonham took his father's place on drums. According to Guinness World Records 2009, the show’s 20 million online requests set a record for the "Highest Demand for Tickets for One Music Concert."

Led Zeppelin made it through the tragic passing of John Bonham, even if their road forward involved unforeseen detours, independent projects, and a long journey to reunion. They navigated this “freezer chucking moment” with transparency and trust.

What made that reunion matter, what made it more than a nostalgia act, was the intention behind it. There was no hastily slotted session drummer or forced tour. They didn’t pretend things hadn’t changed. They waited nearly three decades. When they did return, it was with Jason Bonham, the son of the man they had lost. The decision to reunite wasn’t made haphazardly, it was one crafted with respect for John Bonham, Led Zeppelin, and their loyal fans.

In business, these same principles apply. Trust isn’t earned by pretending everything is perfect, it's earned through transparency. It’s earned in how you respond when things go sideways. Your “freezer chucking moments” are inevitable. What defines you is what comes after. Do you smash the glass and bolt? Or do you find your way forward, even if all your plans have been torn up by a lost client, declining revenues, and the need to pivot?

Lasting success in business and in life often means pausing and reflecting. Communicating clearly. Being honest with your customers, your employees, and your partners. Don’t be afraid to admit setbacks, acknowledge new paths, and take the time to build something new with care.

Led Zeppelin didn’t pretend Bonham could be replaced. They didn’t look for a standin and carry on as though nothing had changed. They

acknowledged the loss and stayed true to their values.

No matter how much time has passed, the song remains the same, and the same holds true in business. Led Zeppelin made it through, so did I, and so can you.

We all have these moments where things fall apart, God laughs at your plans, and everything feels hopeless. I teetered on bankruptcy, and now I have a thriving public relations firm. I dropped out of high school and just last year received my doctorate.

My path to success has been anything but conventional. And while many of us dream up our lives or map out our way forward without setbacks, that is not the reality for anyone. What we can learn from Led Zeppelin and from each other is there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on.