2024 Women Lead Change Conference – Part 1

Thursday, November 7th 2024 – I headed down to the Women Lead Change Conference. I obtained a student scholarship to attend this event for free. The event was filled with insightful speakers and many young, future leaders that I was able to connect with. I enjoy hearing the different stories that individuals have to share during their path to leadership. The obstacles, hardships, and persevering that so many people endure on their path to success is all part of the journey. As a critical point to note, nobody truly understands what others go through, which is exactly why others should never knock down the accomplishments of others – because they have no idea what it took for them to get there.

Mallory Weggemann

Mallory Weggemann, an American Paralympic swimmer – gold-medalist, taught the audience about the power of a moment of pause. A moment of pause allows individuals to connect with WHY we do the things we do. As mentioned earlier, it takes a fight to achieve goals. Therefore, it is important to take a step back and remind ourselves why and how we can lead change.

Weggemann said it best, “We don’t move on from our traumas, we move through them.” Dealing with adversity is universal, and when we go through adversity, we eagerly want normal back in our lives. Many people find themselves upset at changes that surround them, wanting to reach the norm that was once always there. However, as Weggemann explained, when you do not understand what to do with the changes occurring, then change your normal.

Weggemann concluded that sometimes when we endure brutal changes, it has nothing to do with our honest opinions and thoughts, but more to do with what we think about the universe and the social opinions surrounding us. We start to care too much about what other people think, and not enough about how we can move forward.

Important to note, moving forward is not a race. It is not about how fast one can move on from adversity. It matters more that people stay true to the fight for as long as it takes to achieve their goals. Additionally, the willingness to seek change out, allows learning opportunities, growth, and becoming better.

“Be your best self… Fight or fold… And remember that it is never too late to fight for what you believe in,” Weggemann expressed with passion.

At the end of it all, remember to pause in the moments of hardship and remind yourself why it is worth the struggle in the moment. Continue to push through every second, because there will be a time when you see WHY you fought so hard.

Mallory Weggemann brought forward so many noteworthy viewpoints, making sense of how individuals can lead change in this world. If you are interested in following more of the speakers and their points of view from the 2024 Women Lead Change Conference event, stay tuned for part two!

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