Do It Scared

As I begin sharing more about my book on podcasts and social media, I’m often asked how it feels to discuss something so deeply personal and vulnerable. The truth? It’s terrifying. There’s an undeniable fear that comes with exposing the most raw, unfiltered parts of my past. For so long, I believed my strength was measured by my ability to suffer in silence. I thought that if I could endure pain without anyone knowing—if I could keep moving forward without breaking—then I was handling my trauma well.

But as I poured my heart into writing this book and worked through therapy, I realized how deeply flawed that mindset was. True strength isn’t about enduring alone; it’s about finding the courage to speak, to share, to acknowledge what happened instead of burying it. Silence wasn’t strength—it was survival. And while survival is necessary, it isn’t healing.

That journey of self-discovery is reflected in Elise’s story as well. Just as she found justice and reclaimed her power by finding her voice, so will I. But that doesn’t mean the fear disappears. I am still scared. Every time I speak about my story, there’s a part of me that wants to retreat, to stay in the comfort of silence. But I won’t. Because courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward despite it.

So, I will keep speaking. I will keep sharing. And I will do it scared.