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SHREVEPORT – Victory comes in the rising after rejection.

That was a key takeaway from keynote speaker Amy Young’s presentation about how rejection is actually an opportunity for redirection and growth.

Young was one of three keynote speakers Friday at the Women in LeadHERship Conference at LSUS, a conference designed to foster connections between area female leaders at different stages of their careers and lives.

The senior insurance consultant and life coach compared finding and fulfilling a purpose to the birth process – complete with conception, three trimesters and “birth.”

Most people face rejection and self-doubt consistently throughout this process, from conception when a dream is planted to when the breakthrough occurs and the dream is realized.

“I’ve called it the purpose birthing plan because everyone is carrying something that they are meant to share with the world,” said Young, who co-founded Greater Self, a life coach and motivational speaker entity. “You’ve got something in you, and when the time is right, it’s going to come.

“Rejection can accumulate, and we can turn back. But rejection and self-doubt forces you to step out of your comfort zone and stretch. Victory is choosing to rise each time from that rejection and self-doubt.”

People don’t have a singular purpose or go through this cycle just once, but it’s a recurring cycle that is experienced throughout different stages of life.

Young described her college days at Grambling State when she was sailing through and racking up accomplishments before getting pregnant late in her college journey.

“I thought, ‘How am I going to finish college and plan for my future?” Young said. “And the whispers from other people and the assumption some had about how my story would go.

“But I learned that I wasn’t just carrying my son, I was carrying my purpose. I was stronger, more determined and more resilient than I knew. The heaviest things in life are meant to break you, but all of those things prepare you for the exact moment when you have your breakthrough. You just have to keep pushing.”

Young assumed finishing college would be the final push of birthing her purpose, and it was in a way.

She moved to Shreveport and established herself in the insurance industry, and she assumed she’d sail right through to the supervisor position she applied for a few years later.

“I was thriving in insurance as an adjuster, mentoring others, cross training in other areas, participating in multiple leadership programs and planning a wedding all at the same time,” Young said. “I went into the hospital unexpectedly, but I didn’t listen to my body or my fiancée to slow down.

“I interviewed for that position and I didn’t get it, so I had to face that failure and rejection. But what happened is that it sparked growth. The moments of uncertainty or fear where I was being pushed to the limit were making me the leader I needed to be.”

Young obtained that supervisor position later in her career.

Her story inspired conference attendees to share their own experiences.

“I’ve been in the nonprofit industry for 25 years and there are still times where I feel like I don’t belong in rooms that I’ve been invited to,” said Tori Thomas. “When I’ve felt stuck at times in the past, I’ve looked back and realized that when I’ve felt that way, a breakthrough was always around the corner.

“It just resonated with me today listening to your speech, and I wanted to thank you.”

Young’s keynote speech was just a sampling of the conference offerings.

Dr. LaTonya Mister (founder of SOW & REAP Physical Therapy) discussed pelvic health, its impact and techniques to improve pelvic health.

Jovon Brumfield (leadership coach and founder of Lagniappe Business Services) spoke about relentless resilience and how to craft the blueprint for one’s leadership success.

The conference also included a total of five breakout sessions led by women from various industries, including a police captain, a bank senior vice president, a college faculty member and a nonprofit executive.

This conference is the second annual Women in LeadHERship that LSUS has hosted. The conference occurs in March each year in honor of Women’s History Month.