The Road Back from Rock Bottom: Improv, Writing and Vulnerability

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What happens when the carefully curated facade we present to the world crumbles? When the smiles on social media no longer mask the pain beneath? Angie Hawkins knows this territory intimately.

Beginning with a childhood where emotional needs went unmet, Angie spent decades believing she didn't deserve love or respect. This belief shaped everything—from overachieving at unfulfilling jobs to seeking external solutions for internal wounds. After her father's death triggered profound grief, Angie made the bold move to Hawaii seeking happiness, only to encounter a perfect storm of challenges: job insecurity, isolation, property damage, loss, and ultimately, betrayal. When the weight became unbearable, Angie reached her breaking point in a suicide attempt that became the unexpected doorway to transformation.

Like the principles of improv comedy (which both Angie and I have experienced), authentic healing isn't about pretending everything is fine—it's about responding honestly to whatever life presents. Through writing classes at Second City Chicago, Angie rediscovered her voice and began processing her experiences through memoir. This creative outlet revealed a powerful truth: behind everyone's polished social media presence lies a real person with real struggles.

Today, Angie's coaching program "Shine From the Inside" helps women reconnect with their essential nature—the authentic light we all possess before society teaches us to dim ourselves. When we shine from within, we create a ripple effect that transforms not just our lives but the world around us. Sometimes this means letting our light be too bright for some people, and that's perfectly okay.

This conversation illuminates how vulnerability becomes strength, how our darkest moments can spark our greatest purpose, and how trusting our nature creates space for true flourishing. Whether you're wearing social masks or struggling to ask for help, Angie's journey offers hope that authentic living awaits on the other side of courage.

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