Say hello to Shirkydra Roberts, one of the brave storytellers in Being Brave, releasing December 2024! Their journey is a testament to the courage it takes to rise above life’s toughest moments.
In Shirkydra’s story “Trauma into Treasure”, she shares her journey of overcoming childhood sexual abuse, first breaking her silence in her twenties at a women’s conference. By telling her story, she empowered others to do the same, leading her to become a 3x published author and speaker, dedicated to helping others find healing and courage.
Shirkydra Roberts is the founder and CEO of Impact, Aspire, Motivate Enterprises (I.A.M.E.). She was born February 10, 1990; raised in a single-family home with her mother and two siblings in Dallas, TX. She has a B.A. in Psychology and currently working towards a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
She is an Active-Duty Engineering Officer with 15 years of service in the United States Navy. When not in uniform, she is an Evangelist, Motivational Speaker, Life Transformation Coach, Podcaster, #METOO Advocate, and 3x Published Author. To date, she has coached over 10 new authors across the globe. In 2015, she published her first book of poems called “What’s a Word Worth”.
Shirkydra started I.A.M.E. in 2018 which has become her platform as a Speaker and Coach. In 2019, she published her second book called “Just Unwrap It” which focuses on the gifts that we all have within us that we overlook due to pain, struggles, challenges, and lack of self-confidence. In 2021, she started her own podcast titled Beyond The Vision. Recently published her latest book called “Dear Brain You Have My Attention: Going Beyond a Healed Heart” in April of 2023
Impact, Aspire, Motivate Enterprises (I.A.M.E)
www.sriame.com
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Describe the moment when you knew you had to tap into your inner courage and make changes in your life.
I was at a women’s conference when I first told my story about being sexually abused as a child. After my talk, many other women came up to the mic to give their testimony. They said that my brave moment empowered them to be brave enough to release the weight that they had been holding all of their life. I was in my early twenties at the time, but some of the women speaking were in their thirties, forties, and even fifties. They had never shared their story until that very moment.
Walk us through the pivotal moment when you decided to act courageously. What was going through your mind? How did you feel at that moment?
Before I shared my story, I was scared. I feared what people would think. I feared what people would say. I feared what could come from me sharing my story in this setting because my family was not aware of my childhood abuse. I was reserved, but I felt like God was directly telling me that it was time.
What inspired or motivated you to take the courageous step you did? What were a few of the first steps you took? What major actions did you have to take?
I was sexually abused from the age of five to fourteen. Due to my abuse, I felt neglected, abandoned, unloved, and developed low self-esteem and self-worth. I had no identity, and I did not know who I wanted to be. As I got older, I was always the person who over-reached myself for others. I wanted to make sure no one felt like the little girl within me. I believed I had to beat the odds and choose to speak and heal so others would do the same. I found freedom in sharing my story. I found a desire to heal and help others heal through hope and love found in my story. After this conference, I started to talk more about my experience through poetry, which birthed my first published book, What’s a Word Worth? This book started my journey as an author. I was able to tell my story how I wanted to.
Paint a picture of what your life was like before you encountered the challenge that called for you to summon your courage.
I did not know who I was before my experience because I was abused so early in life, which caused me to build barriers and become a new person. I started sharing my story at twenty-five because I wanted to go back to that little girl to see who she wanted to be outside of her abuse.
Were there any doubts or fears you had to overcome before taking action? How did you manage them?
There were many fears and doubts. I was scared that people wouldn’t believe me. I was frightened that people would judge me for speaking up. I am a Black woman, which is often a barrier to being allowed space to be vulnerable and soft. I had to build up the courage to speak no matter what people would say. I leaned into my faith in God, and I defined the “Why” behind my story. I wanted to share hope, love, and acceptance through my story — not just an ugly picture of my experience.
What were some of the challenges or obstacles you faced during your journey to overcome this particular challenge?
During my journey of overcoming, I faced some challenges within my family. It caused some dysfunction in the beginning, but over time, it worked itself out. I also experienced some hate from society for speaking out; however, I already had a mentality that Jesus dealt with hatred, too, so I wasn’t exempt from such behavior or conduct.
Tell us about a memorable anecdote or turning point in your courageous journey.
A memorable moment for me is being at a conference and telling my story, and students coming up to me to tell me their stories. They asked me what they should do so that their traumatic experience would not burden the rest of their lives. This experience would happen every time I spoke. These moments make courage more of an honor rather than a fear.
What role models or sources of support helped you stay strong and resilient?
My faith in God as a follower of Christ was my main source of resilience and courage.
How did this experience impact your life and your perception of courage?
This experience has changed my life as a leader, speaker, author, and influencer. I have been on active duty in the US Navy for sixteen years as an Engineering Officer. I have been able to take my strengths from my story and experience to apply them in other areas of my life.
What lessons or wisdom have you gained from this experience that you’d like to share with others?
When life gets hard or seems tough, look back to see how far you have come from your worst experience. Strength, courage, and bravery started in the first few chapters of our life.
What unexpected or positive outcomes emerged from your courageous actions?
I am a three-time published author; I have been featured on podcasts, blogs, and shows. I have spoken on many platforms that have allowed others to tap into their story to find their voice.
How do you define courage, and how has your definition evolved through your own experiences?
Courage is doing or saying something for a greater purpose in the midst of fear or doubt.
Is there a particular message or advice you’d like to convey to other women who may be facing similar challenges?
You are stronger than your story. You have more to you than your dark experiences. You are the light in a dark room. Turn your light on!
In retrospect, do you have any regrets or things you would have done differently?
The only thing I would have done differently was to start talking about my experience sooner.
How has this experience shaped your identity or sense of self?
I have learned to separate what happened to me from who I want to be. Trauma happened to me, but I am kind, gentle, loving, caring, courageous, strong, and emotionally intelligent. My worth and identity come from my Creator, not just from life experiences.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant or afraid to take a courageous step in their life?
What cost do you pay if you don’t take the leap? Does that cost outweigh the cost of if you do?