How to Build the Life You Want (Even When You Feel Overloaded, Exhausted, & Uncertain)

Kellie Gerardi's journey from a coat check employee to a noteworthy member of the Explorers Club and beyond illustrates how dedication and strategic self-imaging can mold an unconventional but successful career path.

Kelly Grew Up Near the Space Industry but Didn't See Herself As Extraordinary

Kelly's Job at the Explorers Club

During college, Gerardi took a job at the coat check of the Explorers Club, drawn by the club's history of members who were instrumental in achieving extraordinary feats, including those who were first to the North Pole, South Pole and to land on the Moon. Gerardi, who had an intense interest in space and science, believed that by surrounding herself with individuals at the zenith of these fields, their success might rub off on her through osmosis.

Kelly's Reputation For Tackling any Task Made Her Trustworthy

Building Her Reputation, Kelly Identified Key Attributes to Embody Consistently

With the presence of such highly accomplished individuals at the Explorers Club, Gerardi knew she had to give each endeavor her utmost effort. By dedicating 150% to her coat check responsibilities, she hoped to demonstrate her capability to handle greater responsibilities. This approach proved effective as Gerardi progressed to chairing the Explorers Club Annual Dinner and ultimately to a position on the club's board of directors and executive board.

Moreover, Gerardi shared th ...

In a powerful narrative of transformation, Kellie Gerardi shares her journey from self-doubt to orbiting the Earth, imploring us to question self-imposed limits and to pursue our fullest potential.

Anyone Can Achieve Extraordinary Things

Kelly Adjusted the Limiter On Her Imagination, Allowing Herself to Envision Greater Possibilities for Her Life

Gerardi began with the belief that extraordinary accomplishments were meant for extraordinary people, and thought she was not one of them. With time, Gerardi realized that anyone, including ordinary individuals, can condition themselves to achieve the spectacular. She now argues that there’s always an opportunity to expand the scope of one’s dreams and that it's never too late to adjust the limiter on one's imagination. Gerardi's decade-plus journey to space exemplified this expansion, where she witnessed the breathtaking view of Earth, realizing that she is a part of something much grander than imagined.

Kelly Urges Questioning of "Rules" and Challenging Assumptions

Asking "why Not Me?" Kelly Pursued Goals Like Becoming an Astronaut

As part of her paradigm shift, Gerardi trained her inner monologue to consistently ask, "Why not me?" with regards to her life goals. By nurturing a quiet confidence—untethered from ego—she has actively pursued multiple facets of her vision board, resisting the notion that she must restrict her aspirations to a single path. This mantra led Gerardi to achieve goals, such as becoming an astronaut, which she had once deemed unreachable for herself. She maintains a balance of humility and confidence, which propels her to chase her dreams without restraint.

Even after her space flight, Gerardi felt it was not the end but another beginning, giving herself the liberty to keep striving for more and continuing to reinvent herself. She persistently reminds us that it's never too late to enter “why not me mode,” to take a chance on ourselves, and turn brick walls into new pathways.

Gerardi advises the listeners to imagine their lives without limitations, to ponder how far they could go if everything fell into place, and how they would ideally choose to allocate their time and ...

Kellie Gerardi, a notable figure in the STEM field, deftly negotiates the intricacies of a demanding career, family life, and fertility challenges. Her story is one of persistence and transparent vulnerability, as she aims to inspire others navigating similar crossroads.

Kelly Has Managed a Stem Career, Family, and Fertility Challenges

Gerardi is simultaneously managing her career in STEM and going through the IVF journey. Despite the challenges that may seem conflicting, she is pushing forward with both her professional aspirations and personal fertility treatments.

Kelly, Committed To Transparency, Shares Struggles to Help Others

Gerardi shares her experiences openly, maintaining a balance between motherhood, marriage, and her aspirations as an astronaut and researcher. Her transparency stems from a desire to reach out to women who are grappling with whether to follow their dreams while building a family. She acknowledges the juggle between her various roles and tries to showcase her experiences authentically, including the imperfect and messy aspects. She finds support in a community that resonates with her comprehensive life experience, which makes sharing her journey more manageable.

For Gerardi, motherhood is integral to her identity, and she is keen on providing visible representation that amalgamates her diverse roles. Robbins touches on the social media criticism that Gerardi often faces—critics who believe she should choose between being a mother and her space endeavors. Gerardi confronts such critiques tactfully, sometimes choosing to engage and other times ignoring them to preserve her emotional well-being.

Kelly Distinguishes Between Guilt and Regret, Feeling Guilt In the Moment but Still Pursuing Goals

Gerardi articulates the intricate distinction between feeling guilt and harboring regret, particularly when her work pulls her away from her daughter. She experiences the sting of guilt as her daughter expresses the desire for her not to leave, but Gerardi remains steadfast in her career path, not allowing this guilt to morph into regret. She talks about weeping on the pl ...

Kelly's ability to share her challenges openly, particularly around sensitive issues like infertility and pregnancy loss, has been transformative both for her and for others who follow her journey.

Kelly Finds Strength By Sharing Challenges Openly

Kellie Gerardi speaks candidly about the various events in her life, letting the public in on both the joyful and painful moments. She sees transparency not as an act of bravery but as presenting herself genuinely to the world, both in her personal and professional spheres. Kellie finds that this openness acts as a relief, helping her avoid compartmentalizing her life and allowing others to fully understand and support her.

By Publicly Addressing a Pregnancy Loss, Kelly Showed Acknowledging Difficult Experiences Is Okay

Kellie Gerardi has shared in detail her IVF journey, which includes the joy of pregnancy and the agony of losing a child. After learning of severe complications at a nine-week ultrasound, she experienced a deep loss but chose not to feel shame, only grief. By sharing this private pain, Gerardi signals to others that it’s acceptable to publicly acknowledge such experiences rather than carrying the burden in silence.

Kelly's Openness Destigmatizes Infertility and Inspires Others to Feel Less Alone

Gerardi's honesty about her infertility and miscarriages over nearly eight years underscores the often invisible struggles many women face. Her aim in real-time sharing is to de-stigmatize infertility and remind others in similar situations that they are not alone. By addressing the criticism she’s received for her openness and her life choices, Kelly champions the idea that openness around such sensitive topics can inspire community support and dispe ...