Once upon a time I had a LinkedIn profile. It wasn’t great. I was ashamed of myself and my story when I had created it. I downplayed all of my accomplishments, in a weak attempt at trying to appear more “corporate”. My imposter syndrome at the time also had its hands around me like a choke hold, and I didn’t even list my webinar company, StealthSeminar, by name. I listed myself as some sort of independent software developer.
My comedy hypnotist phase was listed as “Corporate Speaker”.
My rave period was listed as something lame like “Event Promotion”.
My photo was a generic corporate head shot.
Everything that makes me unique and awesome was whitewashed in a sad attempt at trying to fit in.
It was probably for the best that I deleted the whole thing and wiped it from the world.
And in 2018, while I was trying to figure out what to do with myself I came across a Canadian program to match mentors with young entrepreneurs. I thought it could be interesting and started to fill out their application, and instead of asking for a resume they asked for a LinkedIn url. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I abandoned the application. I lost out on that experience, and someone else lost out on my help. But I was too ashamed to continue and didn’t feel I had worth at the time.
In the years since, as documented here on my blog and website, I went through a much needed period in my life of healing and transformation. Not of transformation to something new, but of rediscovering who I truly am, and bringing that person back to the world.
I had created this safe space, the Frolic 100, where I can share my story and not consume myself with algorithms, Likes, Followers, or trying to fit in. But it’s been several years and more and more I’m realizing that I don’t need it in the same way, and that I am ready to face more challenges.
It was time to “get back out there”, but from this new place I’m in.
And it made sense, of all the different platforms that are out there, to go to the one that I had the greatest shame attached to. The one where I most feel like I don’t fit in. The one I had history with.
It had to be LinkedIn.
I created a game that I would win the moment I decided to play it: Create a LinkedIn profile and own all of my weirdness and story. Play my own game, not the LinkedIn game. Be loud and proud. Be the rave DJ in an ocean of suits. Be a beacon of hope and what’s possible. Show this, and not tell it. I already proved I could do this in real life, as I did at COP28. Now is the next phase.
And so I did. And I immediately felt the resistance in my body. And that told me this is the right direction. I pushed through.
When I started getting asked questions to set up my profile, I felt an immediate “oh gawd!” come out of me when it asked it’s questions in very corporate speak. Again when it asked about my education and credentials.
Everything in me was saying “You don’t belong here. This place isn’t for you.”
But I stuck with my game: Own it. Own the weird. This is the exact experience you need right now. You’re often going to be the weird one in the room. The world needs more of that. Play this game and win by showing up.
I had already created the conditions of winning: Just show up.
And I won.
I’m no longer ashamed. I’m proud of this bio. I’m proud of this story. I’m proud of what will happen because I did this.
Life can be about big moments, but it’s mostly about the little moments that change everything. And on this day I’m proud of myself for the smallest of things – creating a profile on LinkedIn where my weird is on full showcase, because it represents me moving the needle. Next chapters only happen when you’re willing to do that. I don’t know what will happen next, and that’s a delicious thought.
Click here if you’re on LinkedIn to connect with me there, I would love your support as I continue to push the needle.
What changes for you as you hear me share my story?
