When life threw Myrna Scales a devastating curveball, she did what many mothers might not have the strength to do—she turned her pain into purpose. A stay-at-home mom and military wife, Myrna’s world was shaken when her youngest son was diagnosed with cancer at just four months old. Amid the chaos of hospital visits, sleepless nights, and uncertainty, she found an unexpected outlet: sharing her story online.
What began as YouTube videos and blog posts slowly evolved into something bigger. “I started sharing how moms can make self-care a priority,” Myrna says. “Faith-based content, stress management, everything I was learning—I wanted other moms to know they weren’t alone.”
But even with her growing digital presence, Myrna felt a deeper calling.
The Vision That Sparked the Shift
On a quiet birthday trip with her sister-in-law, Myrna put together a vision board in a remote cabin. “I saw the word speaker in a magazine, and I just knew—that’s what I wanted next. I wanted to start a speaking career,” she recalls.
There was just one problem: she didn’t believe she was qualified.
“I thought only experts could give TEDx talks. Like, you had to be a scientist or a psychologist or something,” Myrna admits. “But then I saw a video of Taylor Conroy, and he asked, ‘Do you have a story inside of you?’ That’s when it clicked. I do.”
With no speaking experience and nothing but sheer determination, Myrna dove headfirst into the Thought-Leader program.
Turning Blind Faith Into Bold Action
Myrna’s journey with Thought-Leader wasn’t easy. “I went in with blind faith. I had no idea if it was going to work, but I invested in myself and decided I wouldn’t stop until I made it happen.”
The program taught her how to craft a talk, how to apply, and—most importantly—how to push through rejection. “Rejection after rejection came in, but I just kept going,” she shares. “Even when it was hard. Even when I didn’t know if I would be chosen for the virtual event.”
Eventually, her persistence paid off. Myrna was selected—and her talk was recorded.
“I did it. I was just like, wow… I did that. And if I can do it, anyone can.”
Building Her Platform, One Application at a Time
For Myrna, even the application process became a source of empowerment. “My favorite part was actually sending the applications,” she laughs. “It was scary at first, but then I’d sit down while my kids were at school and submit 30 at a time.”
She even responded to rejection letters with gratitude, saying thank you for the opportunity. “I just kept going. That word you used—predator—I felt like that. Like, I knew what I wanted, and I wasn’t going to stop until I got it.”
Myrna’s message—geared toward moms of children with chronic illnesses—isn’t just a story. It’s a lifeline.
“So many of us don’t feel like we can talk about how hard it is,” she says. “But I want moms to know it’s okay to vent. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. And it’s okay to have tantrums too.”
Spreading the Message Beyond the TEDx Stage
Since completing the Thought-Leader program, Myrna has been actively pitching her talk to mom influencers, blogs, magazines, and any platform that will listen. “I don’t know what’s going to come from it all,” she says, “but I’m going to keep sharing this message with whoever will listen.”
What started as a deeply personal journey of healing has now become a public mission to empower others. And through Thought-Leader, Myrna found the tools—and the confidence—to take the leap.
“You don’t have to have a degree. You don’t have to be a professional speaker. You just need a story and the courage to share it.”
Thought-Leader LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by TED Conferences, LLC or any of its affiliates.
