A few weeks ago, I learned about Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine: Shine Away Event and quickly contacted their CEO, Sarah Harden to learn more and book a ticket. And boy, am I glad I did! The weekend was filled with inspiring women whose advice and messages fueled my journey to strive to build success by continuing to help busy moms shine.
As a mom of three, it took a lot to take a weekend away. But I thought—I’m always there for my kids, and this weekend will fuel my personal growth. As moms, we know how important that is and how it can inspire our children to pursue their dreams and passions in the future.
So, for all the moms needing inspiration as we head into another week, here are some top takeaways from the incredible women featured at this event. I highly recommend them to any woman looking to inspire their journey in the future. Reese’s team did not disappoint; there is something here for everyone!
Takeaways for Moms from the Shine Away 2024
Empowering women through new communities:
1) Hannah O’Flynn is Elevating Female Hoopers
The first powerhouse to take the stage was NBA commentator Hannah O’Flynn. She shared how she invested in herself and got accepted into Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine beta program this past year. Hannah highlighted a startling statistic: “Only 4% of media coverage across all sports focuses on women.” She’s working to change that daily.
She’s quick to point out that the women’s games during March Madness in 2023 were watched by millions, with the Iowa vs. UConn game doubling the men’s viewership. This gives her momentum to further her mission to elevate female athletes and shatter the glass backboards in every city she visits.
2) Octavia Spencer is Saying No and to Build Advocates with Like-Minded Communities
Octavia Spencer emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who share your values. She explained that this support network helps her advocate for herself and know when to say no. She and Reese Witherspoon echoed that asking for help along the way is okay, too.
Octavia also shared that she’s working on a film adaptation of First Lie Wins, a thriller set in the South. She encouraged women to support each other by pre-ordering books, hitting the like button on Netflix (which influences future films), and following women-led projects.
Women in Business Advice From the Shine Away 2024 Event
3. Laura Dern Talked About “Keeping Your Eyes on Your Own Paper”
Actress and producer Laura Dern shared how she was taught to keep her eyes on her own paper at a young age and in growing up with two parents who were actors. She emphasized the importance of focusing on your journey rather than comparing yourself to others, allowing you to shine in your own right. She reminded us that “the same sun shines on all of us,” and there’s plenty of room at the table for everyone. Reese echoed the same sentiment and let everyone know it’s ok to have many things you’re involved in and not just one lane or avenue for growth.
4. Sarah Blakely Reminds Women They’re Worth Great Success
Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx, started her company with humor and determination, famously using the tagline: “Don’t worry, we’ve got your butt covered.” Despite having no advertising budget, her brand skyrocketed after being featured on ‘Oprah’s Favorite Things’ in November 2000. She shared how retailers once told her, “We’re going to war,” when she first started in a male-dominated industry. But Sarah founded Spanx on three principles—intuition, vulnerability, and empathy—and won by leading with those values. She’s now disrupting the footwear industry with her latest venture, Sneex.
5. “At the Top of Her Game” Panel Proved that Female Athletes Are Just Getting Started Disrupting Change in the Sports Industry
Candace Parker, Alex Morgan, and Diana Flores took the stage to discuss their paths to success. Diana shared her passion for flag football, which is set to debut on a global stage at the 2028 Olympics. Candace Parker reflected on the impact of Title IX and its impact on women in sports. At the same time, Alex Morgan discussed her recent retirement and her ongoing work through the Alex Morgan Foundation and Togethxr, her media company advocating for women in sports.
Women Overcoming Imposter Syndrome at the Shine Away Event
6. Imposter Syndrome Has No Place for Women in Business
During a session led by The Bright Side podcast hosts, panelists like Gaby Dalkin and Amanda Kloots tackled imposter syndrome. The session broke down four types of imposter syndrome:
- The Perfectionist: anything less than perfect is a fail
- The Natural Genius: someone for whom everything has always come very easily
- Super Woman: you try to juggle everything
- The Expert: the one who doesn’t like to be referred to as an expert
The panelists emphasized that imposter syndrome often appears when you’re on the verge of a breakthrough and shared strategies to overcome it. For example, Amanda demonstrated a yoga star pose to increase confidence and make yourself larger instead of smaller in everything you do. Hosts of the Bright Side, Simone Boyce, and Danielle Robay, discuss how competence and repetition can lead to confidence later.
7. Pivoting Careers Can Be Powerful
Another standout session featured Kate Bowler, Brooke Baldwin, Amanda Kloots, and Danielle Ponder. Each woman shared how pivoting from one career to another allowed them to find greater fulfillment. Danielle Ponder, for example, transitioned from a public defender to a music producer, while Brooke Baldwin left CNN to explore new opportunities in journalism.
Amanda emphasized that she’s learned to do less through her work with Tyler Henry and his mantras so we don’t constantly cloud our minds with what we’re doing and can look for signs instead. Another good test is to look at the past with a straightforward question: If you returned to that time, would you fit in anymore? It’s okay to change and honor all aspects of yourself. And it’s only in staying calm that we can meet the world wholeheartedly and with our best selves.
8. We Can Elevate the Future of Women’s Health and Wellness
On day two, Dr. Marie Claire, Lauren Makler, Tatyana Ali, and Naomi Watts discussed the future of women’s health. Naomi Watts, who founded Stripes Beauty, spoke about breaking the taboo around menopause. Dr. Marie Claire addressed the medical gaslighting women face and encouraged women to become their health advocates. The session ended with a powerful message: setbacks are setups for a brighter future, and the magic of change starts in rooms like these.
FINAL TAKEAWAYS FROM THE HELLO SUNSHINE SHINE AWAY 2024
This event was filled with stories and lessons that inspired me and made me eager to share with other moms. I loved meeting and networking with other powerhouse moms, like Stephanie Fornaro, Founder of Hello Nanny.com—a site dedicated to resourcing more help needed for families.
Please follow along on Instagram @MomShineco for more coverage of this incredible event.