Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine calling myself an author. And yet, here I am—grateful, humbled, and still a little in awe of a journey that unfolded in unexpected and healing ways.
My path as a writer didn’t begin with ambition—it began with raw truth. In 2023, I made the painful decision to close my Med Spa business after facing deep financial hardship. I had poured my heart, soul, and savings into that venture. Its closure wasn’t just the end of a business—it felt like the loss of a piece of me.
To cope, I turned to writing. What started as a journal entry became something more—a message I felt women entrepreneurs needed to hear. I submitted an article titled Am I an Imposter Entrepreneur? to Women Thrive Magazine, and to my surprise and delight, it was published in December 2023. That byline was more than a milestone—it was validation. My voice mattered.
That first act of vulnerability sparked something within me. My second feature, Dating 101 for Single Moms, was published in June 2024, and with it came a new wave of confidence. Writing was no longer just an outlet—it was becoming a calling. Women Thrive Magazine, a global platform that amplifies women’s untold stories, became my stage.
Their mission—spotlighting entrepreneurs, creatives, coaches, and survivors—resonated deeply with me. And then came an opportunity that shifted everything: an invitation to co-author Women Thrive Volume III: Inspiring True Stories of Women Overcoming Adversity.
My chapter, The Sixteen-Year-Old Girl Inside Me, asked me to confront a trauma I thought I had already healed. Over six months, with support and guidance from the Women Thrive team, I revisited a pivotal moment from my youth—a moment that quietly buried a dream I once held dear.
At sixteen, I was a competitive dancer with big ambitions, but what tugged at my heart even more was the dream of modeling. I idolized women like Kathy Ireland and envisioned my own face on the glossy pages of magazines. My father, an artist, taught me to see the human body as a canvas—a beautiful design in every shape, color, and size.
It was a vision I longed to embody, and I had every intention of pursuing it. But as I share in my chapter, a sexual assault I experienced at that age changed everything. The impact of that trauma lingered for more than thirty years. My confidence shattered, my self-image distorted, and the dream I once held so tightly slipped away. I stopped seeing beauty in my reflection and quietly tucked the dream deep inside, convinced it was no longer meant for me.
Writing that chapter was like unlocking a forgotten door. With Women Thrive’s support, I peeled back the layers and unearthed the girl I used to be—the one who dreamed boldly. I realized she had never left. She was still inside me, waiting for permission to be seen. And now, I knew she was still worthy.
Another powerful motivator was my daughter. I wanted her to see that what happened to me didn’t define me. I wanted her to witness resilience and know that healing is possible. I wasn’t just reclaiming my past—I was shaping our future.
After the book’s June 2024 launch, something inside me came alive. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to dream big. I said yes to opportunities I would’ve once shied away from. One of those was a whirlwind trip to London to promote the book—an unforgettable adventure that included a photoshoot with renowned UK photographer Baz Seal.
With Women Thrive’s help, I found myself walking the streets of London like runways, turning city corners into catwalks. It was a “pinch me” moment—one I hadn’t even dared to dream.
That experience reignited something in me. Since then, I haven’t stopped writing—publishing blogs and essays on Medium, driven by a storytelling bug I can’t shake. I also took one of the boldest leaps of my life: signing with Angela Black Model and Talent, a nationally recognized agency. I began auditioning for commercials, stepping into casting calls, and rediscovering the dream I once buried.
In another full-circle moment, I entered the SI Swim Search—an iconic Sports Illustrated initiative to discover fresh, diverse talent. It was the same competition that launched the career of my idol, Kathy Ireland, more than 30 years ago. It felt surreal—like seeds planted decades ago were finally blooming.
This journey—from heartbreak to healing, from writing to runways—wouldn’t have been possible without Women Thrive Magazine. They didn’t just publish my story. They saw me. They handed me the pen and gave me the courage to write a new chapter—one grounded in truth, power, and rebirth.
To every woman who thinks her time has passed, or that her dreams are too far-fetched or forgotten, please hear this:
It’s never too late.
Sometimes all it takes is one story, one opportunity, one courageous “yes” to change everything.
I’m not just becoming the woman I dreamed of.
I am her.
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About the Author
Name: Emily Sanders
Professional Title: Entrepreneur, business coach, published author, model and medical massage therapist
Bio: Emily is a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, published author, model and medical massage therapist with a background spanning spa ownership, operations leadership, and sales training. After a decade on the Las Vegas Strip as a showgirl, she transitioned into corporate management and later launched a successful Med Spa. Today, she mentors professionals helping them build profitable businesses and authentic brands. Emily also speaks on reinvention, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship for women at every life stage.
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