Defying Gravity: Lessons from Wicked for Women Who Dare to Lead
I’ve been thinking a lot about the limits we place on ourselves. The many ways we convince ourselves that we need to fit into a “box” to please others.
Or that we can only jump “so high” because to jump higher is just crazy! So we try to fit into the square peg even though we’re round! And it never feels right or true or aligned but we keep on squishing ourselves to fit into that peg, or to jump only so high.
I know for many years that’s exactly what I did. Without realizing it. I had placed limits on what I could do professionally and how I should do it.
But what’s interesting is that my professional journey is definitely NOT conventional. I had the privilege of working from home back in the early 2000’s when I’d moved from NY to MD. I’d even had a flexible schedule for a while. These were definitely NOT the norm back in those days. But somehow, those opportunities had become available to me.
But pondering these things got me thinking about the glass ceilings we face as women as executives or even entrepreneurs.
That glass ceiling—that invisible barrier stopping women from rising higher—is something we’ve all felt at one point or another. Maybe it was in a workplace where your expertise was underestimated. Or in a society that subtly (or not-so-subtly) conditioned you to play small, stay quiet, or not “rock the boat,” because you can’t “be too big for your britches.”
But here’s the real question:
Are these ceilings real? Or are some of them illusions we’ve been taught to believe in?
Unfortunately, some ceilings, like the various glass or concrete ceilings so many women face professionally are very real:
Workplace inequities
Lack of access to opportunities
Gender bias
The pay gaps…
But many of the ceilings we think hold us down are built from the stories we’ve been conditioned to believe. Stories like:
“Don’t stand out, fit in.”
“What if you fail?”
“You’re not qualified to….”
“Who are you to think you can do that?”
These ceilings exist in our minds, reinforced by years of unconscious programming. And the worst part? When we believe in them, we make them real and they become our reality.
But here’s a truth: Whether the ceiling is tangible or an illusion, the only way out is through and up.
When you defy gravity, you don’t just break the glass ceiling—you break the mental ceilings too. You stop asking, “Am I allowed to rise this high?” and start declaring, “This is where I belong!” or “This is my divine assignment and I’m here for it!”
You shatter every limit placed on you:
✅ The limit that says women can’t lead by their standards and norms.
✅ The limit that says success comes at the expense of balance or joy.
✅ The limit that says your bold vision is too much.
When we choose to rise, to defy expectations, we reveal something incredible: We were never truly bound!
This is why I loved the ending of the Wicked movie. Elphaba literally broke glass everywhere in the Wizard’s “palace”, climaxing with shattering the glass when she escaped being caught flying out on her broomstick! She was done! She was finally ready to claim her true power even if it meant doing things her way.
Even the strongest glass ceiling can’t hold us down when we tap into our full brilliance. And the mental ceilings? They crumble, the moment we decide they’re not real.
Because we are limitless!
When we stop internalizing the “rules” society hands us and start rewriting the narrative, we become invincible.
I want to challenge you today, to ask yourself;
What ceilings have I been staring at?
Are they real, or are they stories I’ve believed for too long?
What would it look like to rise anyway?
You were never meant to stay down, to plateau, to be limited in your abilities.
You were meant to rise, to lead, and to soar beyond the limits you thought existed.
Because, as the Wicked song Defying Gravity says, “Everyone deserves the chance to fly.”
So, go ahead. Take up space. Play bigger. Shine your light. Push past every barrier, real or imagined. And show the world what happens when women like us defy gravity.
You are limitless.
To help you leap on this path, I invite you to consider my new one-on-one coaching offer, I’ll be kickstarting in January, Defy Gravity & Become Limitless.
This is a 6-module framework that meets you right where you are, to help you get from behind the shadows and into the destiny you’re designed for. To move you from “safe” to soaring. To give you that ignition to take the courageous aligned steps needed for you to move your professional needle so you can succeed and thrive the way you desire.
Here’s the framework we’ll use to guide you from stuck to soaring: Perceive. Believe. Relieve. Conceive. Achieve. Receive.
1. Perceive Your Potential
It starts with seeing yourself clearly. No more downplaying your strengths, undervaluing your brilliance, or hiding your gifts. This step helps you uncover the truth of who you are and the power you already hold.
2. Believe in Your Brilliance
Belief is the foundation for everything. You can’t soar if you’re carrying the weight of self-doubt. Together, we’ll reframe limiting beliefs and build unshakable confidence in your ability to rise.
3. Relieve the Resistance
Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, people-pleasing—these are the anchors holding you down. This step is about shedding what no longer serves you, creating space for new possibilities.
4. Conceive Your Bold Vision
What does defying gravity look like for you? Whether it’s leading your industry, launching a dream project, or making your boldest contribution yet, this step brings clarity to your next chapter.
5. Achieve Through Aligned Action
Becoming Limitless isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter and more intentionally. We’ll map out a step-by-step plan so you can start turning your vision into reality with bold, aligned action.
6. Receive Your Reward
You’ve executed, created, or initiated. Now it’s time to claim it fully. Often, we’re so busy achieving that we forget to celebrate or even receive the abundance, recognition, and fulfillment that come with stepping into our purpose powerfully.
Let’s be honest: The calendar flipping to January doesn’t magically change everything. But it’s a powerful moment to set new intentions, shed old baggage, and start moving forward.
Here’s why this program is perfect for you right now:
You’ve been carrying this vision too long. It’s time to stop overthinking and start acting.
Your boldest contribution won’t wait. The world needs your brilliance now more than ever.
A new year is the perfect time to reboot. Clear out the mindset blocks, insecurities, and habits holding you back so you can rise into 2025 lighter and more powerful than ever.
If this is resonating like I hope it is, don’t waste another moment. Apply here to get the wheel in motion (it takes less than 7 minutes).
If this is an aligned partnership, I will get back with you to schedule time to explore how I can help you “defy gravity” so you no longer stay stuck in an environment you’ve outgrown or one that no longer serves you.
Apply before December 31st and you’ll get a 20% discount off of this special opportunity! I promise you this will be an investment that will keep on giving back to you.
Questions? Hit me up at theunveiledway (@) gmail.com