Why Your Broken Moments Might Be Your Greatest Strength

A reflection on how adversity can become the foundation for transformation.

There are moments in life that crack us open so deeply we’re convinced we’ll never be the same again.

And sometimes… we’re right.

But what if those cracks aren’t the end of the story?

What if they’re the beginning of something stronger, more honest, and more meaningful than anything we’ve known before?

That’s the heart of my conversation with Naseem Rochette, author of The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over, and someone who understands—more than most—what it means to rebuild after life shatters your sense of safety.

Naseem survived a devastating accident where she was run over multiple times by a vehicle. Against all odds, she lived. But survival was only the beginning. What followed was a long journey of healing, identity loss, rediscovery, and ultimately transformation. As she shared her story with me, what stood out wasn’t just the trauma itself—it was the meaning she chose to create from it.

She introduced me to the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, they are highlighted. The object becomes more beautiful because it was broken.

That idea stayed with me.

Because we often spend so much energy trying to hide our fractures—our fear, grief, setbacks, and shame—when those very moments might be the source of our greatest strength.

Naseem spoke candidly about how healing wasn’t linear. About how some days were heavy, how grief lingered, and how joy had to be relearned. But she also shared something powerful: healing doesn’t require pretending the pain never happened. It requires learning how to carry it with intention.

That hit home for me.

In my own life, I’ve learned that adversity doesn’t ask for permission. It just shows up. But what is in our control is the meaning we assign to it. We can let hardship define us—or we can let it refine us.

That’s the audacity right there.

Not pretending everything is okay.

Not rushing the process.

But choosing to believe that something meaningful can grow from the broken places.

Naseem didn’t just survive her story—she reclaimed it. And in doing so, she gave others permission to do the same.

Call to Action

If you’ve ever faced a moment that reshaped you—or you’re standing in the middle of one right now—I invite you to listen to this powerful conversation.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Audacious Living Podcast and hear how adversity can become a catalyst for transformation.

The Audacious Takeaway

Your broken moments are not the end of your story.

They may be the very places where your strength, wisdom, and purpose begin to shine.