From Shame to Superpower: The Surprising Truth About What Makes You Unstoppable

Was forwarded this email? Don’t worry, subscribe HERE

THIS ISSUE

1. Feature: Brand storyteller and LinkedIn course instructor, Ash Rathod shares the surprising power of vulnerability and storytelling.

2. Key Lesson: Embrace the real you, tell your real story

   • ❤️ Heartset: Our Fears Are Giving Us a Message

   • 🧠 Mindset: Focus On The People You Serve

   • 🧰 Skillset: How to Harness Your Story (The 6P Framework)

YOU MIGHT LIKE

Do you like newsletters?

Here is a curated set of newsletters our readers also enjoy. Explore

FEATURE

Listen on Apple, Spotify or on the web.

The truth that no one wants to hear?

Your experiences—especially the ones you’ve tried to hide—are the most valuable thing you own.

We don’t want to hear it because it means we’ll need to face it.

Ash Rathod, my recent guest is a brand strategist and storyteller. He is also a LinkedIn instructor breaking records with his storytelling course. Ash discovered this a superpower in a way that changed his life. When he developed vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that altered the pigmentation of his skin, it pushed him into isolation. His fingers, his face started to lose its color.

Video calls? Off. Social events? Cancelled. Even his once-thriving business was affected.

(This post from Ash on LinkedIn brought tears to my eyes - I read it to him in our episode.)

But here’s the twist: what Ash thought would be his downfall eventually became his superpower. Sharing his story not only helped him heal but also helped others connect and grow. It created a stronger bond between him and his clients. The opposite of what he thought was going to happen.

And guess what? You have a story just like that. The question is: are you ready to embrace it?

This quote from Ash says it best 👇🏽

❤️ Heartset: Our Fears Are Giving Us a Message

Too often, we’re held back by the fear of judgment. What will people think? Will they dismiss me, laugh at me, or worse—ignore me?

But the truth is, people connect with stories that feel real. The more honest and vulnerable you are, the more powerful your story becomes. Because your audience isn’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for humanity.

When we feel like we need to hide something, it’s something we need to explore.

🧠 Mindset: Focus On The People You Serve

Instead of asking, “What will people think of me?” ask, “How can my story help someone else?”

🧰 Skillset: How to Harness Your Story

To craft a story that resonates, follow these steps:

1. Use the 6P Framework:

   • Protagonist: Start with the main character—you.

     • Example: “The color of my skin started to change two years ago…”

   • Present State: Set the stage. What was your life like before the transformation?

     • Example: “I began to hide. No camera on video calls, no face-to-face networking anymore.”

   • Problem State: Introduce the challenge or conflict. What was holding you back?

     • Example: “The sudden onset of vitiligo exacerbated my mental health. I was already on an emotional edge.”

   • Pit State: Highlight the lowest emotional point. This is where your audience connects deeply with you.

     • Example: “I became embarrassed, timid, and inward. My confidence was shattered.”

   • Progress State: Share the turning point. What or who helped you begin to rise?

     • Example: “A client gave me the space to talk via email. Her words of encouragement changed everything.”

   • Power State: End with transformation. What did you gain, and how are you using it to make an impact?

     • Example: “I realized I didn’t have to hide. Now I help others find strength in their stories, too.”

2. Lean on Emotion:

   • As Ash says, “Eliciting emotion makes your story memorable.” This doesn’t mean it has to be a tearjerker. It could evoke excitement, frustration, joy, or triumph. Think about how you want your audience to feel when they hear your story.

3. Write Hot, Edit Cold:

   • First, pour your heart out. Don’t overthink structure—just write freely. Then, step away. Come back later with fresh eyes and refine your story to align with the 6P Framework.

4. Share a Personal Experience:

   • Start with a story that matters to you. Think about a time when you overcame a challenge, learned a valuable lesson, or experienced transformation. It doesn’t have to be a life-altering event—it just needs to be honest.

   For Ash, it was the moment his wife gently told him, “This isn’t you. You were fine just the way you were.” That small, heartfelt moment became the treatment he was searching for all along—and a story that connected with thousands.

Learn more about Ash’s course on Linkedin HERE.

Your Story Can Change Your Life

Your story doesn’t have to be “perfect.” In fact, it shouldn’t be. Start small. Write down one experience that changed you and it’s something that can help your client, your customer, your audience. Use the 6P Framework to structure it.

And then? Share it. Start with a close friend, post it on LinkedIn, or even reply to this email and share it with me. I’d love to hear it.

Because here’s the thing: your story has the power to change not just your life, but someone else’s too.

So, what’s stopping you?

Make your mark, live your legend 🤘🏽,

Howie Chan

Creator of Legend Letters

​Read my story​

​Follow me on LinkedIn

P.S. Who would you like me to interview next? Send me an email, let me know!

SOURCES

1. Chan, Howie, Sharing Impactful Stories: Unleash the HIDDEN Power of Your Most Vulnerable Moments with Storytelling Legend Ash Rathod, The Legend Letters Podcast, December 23, 2024 - LINK

WHENEVER YOU ARE READY

Make your mark with a powerful brand 👇🏽

1/ Power Hour

1:1 60 min executive brand coaching to help you pivot from corporate life to business owner.

Learn more

2/ Personal Brand Strategy Program

Get clarity on your story and your brand so you can attract what and whom you want into your life. I work with you directly and craft your one page personal brand strategy.

​Learn more