As the year approaches an end I want one of my final podcasts of the year to focus on toxic masculinity. Let’s hope 2021 will be the year men will stop using the excuse “ because I’m a man.” to justify their toxic behavior. As a female in any industry men will always have reservations about you. Stuff like whether you deserve success , whether they are truly and solely responsible for the accolades you’ve achieved . People love to explain a women’s success. Whatever doubters decided what I could not do is exactly what I did . Just living as a woman I didn’t understand why I’ve had to live with and tolerate such harsh criticism . I’ve grown up and watched women being compared for their bodies , their dating life , their fashion . But I’m so blessed to be surrounded by women who have decided not to let this criticism break them and that has truly inspired me to be the woman that I am today. It’s so hard when we are held at an impossible standard. We need to keep advocating for women to speak their truth and not suppress who they truly are. We are on the right track as we now have the ability to speak out about unfairness , and misconduct. Let’s hope 2021 will be a year in which we see progress , more women in leadership roles , more women being understood and respected based on their talents rather than what they wear or how they look. Slowly but surely I think us women will strive to be more powerful than ever.