Owning Your Story, Becoming a Bestselling Author, and Creating Ripple Impact

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In this inspiring episode of Soulful Self-Care Conversations, Pearl welcomes Cathy Derksen, founder of Inspire Tenacity, international speaker, 23-time number one bestselling author, and publisher who helps midlife women step into visibility, legacy, and impact through books, retreats, and community.

Together, they explore the power of storytelling, overcoming self-doubt, and why your story matters more than you think.

🌱 Meet Little Cathy

Cathy shares how moving frequently as a child shaped her resilience, adaptability, and curiosity. Growing up constantly starting over helped her develop the ability to connect quickly and see opportunity in change.

Her lifelong curiosity—especially about living things—led her first into a career in biology. But over time, that same curiosity and love for people evolved into something deeper: helping women discover, own, and share their personal stories.

📖 Why Your Story Matters

One of the most common beliefs Cathy hears from women is:

Nobody wants to hear my story. I haven’t done anything important.

Cathy challenges this mindset directly. Through conversation and guided reflection, she helps women uncover the turning points, lessons, and growth moments that make their experiences powerful and relatable.

Even if someone’s journey looks different from yours, the courage, resilience, and perspective within it can inspire transformation.

As Pearl shares through her own story—especially the legacy project honoring her late son—stories create ripple effects far beyond what we may ever see.

📚 Becoming a Bestselling Author

Cathy specializes in collaborative anthology books, bringing together 20 authors around inspiring themes such as:

• Passion, Purpose, and Possibilities
• Embrace Courage
• Ripple Effect of Impact

By publishing in a multi-author book, women gain:

• Expanded visibility
• Shared marketing power
• Built-in community support
• The bestselling author title
• Confidence to later publish solo projects

Cathy explains that becoming a bestselling author is not just about writing—it involves editing, formatting, marketing, Amazon optimization, launch strategy, and coordination. Having an experienced publisher helps navigate those moving pieces and avoid costly mistakes.

🌊 The Ripple Effect of Storytelling

Pearl and Cathy reflect on how one conversation, one book, or one shared experience can impact someone years later.

Your story may:

• Encourage someone during a difficult season
• Help someone feel less alone
• Give someone courage to take a next step
• Create community where there was isolation

Stories do not expire. They continue to reach people long after they are written or recorded.

🌸 Self-Care and Thinking for Yourself

The conversation closes with a reflection on personal growth and intentional living.

Pearl shares her word for the year: Streamline—focusing on simplifying systems in both business and home life to avoid burnout.

Cathy emphasizes trusting her intuition and building a business aligned with her own imagination and values rather than following someone else’s blueprint.

Both agree that self-care includes:

• Protecting your time
• Recognizing your accomplishments
• Choosing alignment over pressure
• Thinking for yourself

🐾 Cathy’s Favorite Self-Care Practice

For Cathy, self-c

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Remember to embrace your inner pearl, nourish yourself, and find balance in life. Stay
true to your authentic self and continue working on your personal growth.