As women, we are all too familiar with the societal expectations imposed on us from a young age. Both implicitly and explicitly, we are told how we should look and act and what roles we should embody. This pressure often leads to a struggle for many women, as we try to conform to these external demands while grappling with our own unique identities. But there comes a transformative moment when we decide to break free from these constraints and embrace our authentic selves. This moment of self-acceptance and empowerment is not only liberating, but it also paves the way for us to lead more fulfilling and successful lives. To conclude our podcast series for Women’s History Month, we're delving into the topic of self-perception and its impact on our personal and professional lives. I'm thrilled to have Heike Martin, a talented photographer and Thought Leader Academy graduate, as our guest on this week's episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast. Heike's powerful work captures the essence of authenticity, allowing her subjects to truly shine as they are. Together, we discuss how our self-perceptions as women shape our experiences and how we can cultivate a stronger sense of self-acceptance and self-love. About My Guest: "Owning Your Visibility" is at the core of Heike Martin's vision and mission as owner and lead photographer at Heike Martin Photography. She is the author of "Owning Our Game: Female athlete stories of strength, beauty and athleticism". Combining curiosity, creativity and expert photography skills Heike helps busy, focused and soulful female professionals grow their impact and profits with intentional visual storytelling. Drawing on 17 years of fair trade marketing experience, Heike's photography centers joy and a celebration of self. To help women shift their perspective, Heike regularly speaks about visibility and branding—in her trademark German accent—for networking groups, panels, and podcasts. Heike Martin Photography offers both headshot and lifestyle branding photography at her studio in Manheim, PA and on location. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/322 Heike’s website: http://www.heikemartinphotography.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Heike Martin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heikemartinphotography Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 321: What It Means to be Visible to Yourself and Others with Bibigi Haile JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.