Why Being Yourself Makes for Great Stories
My guest, Mo Barrett, has a remarkable way of bringing her stories to life. In today’s episode, she and I talk about telling stories simply through living and being yourself, even if you can’t always outwardly express it to others. We dive into her 25-year career in the military, the nuances of storytelling that helped propel her speaking career, and her insistence on everyone being able to find their tribe.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Living your truth as your story
- Unapologetically embracing your true self, quirks and all
- Having a medium through which to tell your story
Who is Mo?
Michelle “Mo” Barrett went from failing the Air Force Academy, being the first member of her pilot training class to receive an “Unsatisfactory” grade in the process, to retiring as an Air Force Colonel 25 years later. As an Air Force pilot, she flew the Alenia C-27A throughout Central and South America. Then she moved to Northern California to fly the Lockheed C-5 around the world. After 9/11, Mo deployed to bases in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan with a small team and converted them from empty fields to airlift hubs.
Mo has also dealt with the stigma, strain, shame, and success of being a life-long, non-conforming gay woman in the military’s structured environment. As a lesbian, she experienced the rule-changing gamut of gays being banned to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to that policy’s repeal and acceptance of gays in the military. During her career, she leveraged hard work and an ability to view the world with a sense of humor, optimism, and perspective.
Now in retirement from the Air Force, Mo uses those skills as a professional speaker. She thrives as a multi-minority woman and connects with audiences across all ages and walks of life, entertaining them with her unique presentation style and contagious energy. Her mission in life right now: to chart a course for people who want to laugh, learn, and think.
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