In this episode of “Surviving to Thriving: Overcoming My Darkest Moment,” I talk with coach, speaker and creator of Her Bold Voice, Kim Boudreau Smith. Growing up Kim learned to be seen and not heard. She became a corporate “yes” woman, living her life based on how other people thought she should live it. This contributed to low self-esteem, perfectionism, excessive exercising and an anxiety disorder. Then at the age of 48, an exhausted Kim fell asleep at a stoplight in broad daylight. This “wake-up” call forced her to look at why she was so unfulfilled and ungrateful for what she had. She was afraid that if she didn’t start opening up and getting honest with herself, she might not see her 50th birthday.

One source of shame Kim confronted was her education, so at the age of 50 she got her high school diploma, followed by her Associates Degree and coaching certification. She learned how to have a relationship with her inner critic (who she calls the hag in the attic), acknowledging her presence but not letting her run the show. Now she helps other high level achievers do the same—to quiet their own inner critic, come from a place of truth and step into their own bold voice. Learn more about Kim at https://kimbsmith.com/.