Because no degree teaches what life has already shown you. When people ask me about my background, I could list my awards, my businesses, or my years of professional experience, but the truth is, none of those things define who I am or what I bring to the stage. What truly qualifies me to speak about resilience, leadership, and hope is my lived experience . It’s the battles I’ve fought, the losses I’ve survived, and the lessons I’ve learned when life brought me to my knees. N

Because not every disability can be seen, but every person deserves to be understood. This week marks Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 October) , a time to raise awareness for the millions of people living with disabilities that can’t be seen. Around 80–85% of people with a disability have one that isn’t visible, conditions like neurological, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and chronic illnesses that don’t show on the outside, but deeply affect life every single day. As