“I feel like I am allowed to take up more space. My insecurity has made way for pride.”

I entered the program thinking I just needed to ‘reconnect with myself,’ but it mainly taught me how to feel: I can do this. And that it’s okay to feel insecure sometimes—it doesn’t make me any less capable. I’m not perfect, but no one is. I am allowed to simply be myself. Because of that, I feel more confident and calmer, which gives me a greater sense of control. I believe that a key part of good leadership is setting a good example. For me, that doesn’t mean perfection, but rather showing that I’m human too.

Since Rebel, everything feels lighter. Over the past few years, I have been quite hard on myself and had somewhat lost myself—I felt insecure and responsible for everything. That insecurity and the drive to do things right haven’t disappeared, but they no longer feel all-defining. It doesn’t feel so heavy anymore.