Resilience: Rising Through Adversity and Breaking Barriers
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
By Leah Dortmann
Resilience is not about avoiding hardships; it’s about finding the strength to stand after every fall. Life has tested me in ways I never expected, pushing me to the limits of my mental and emotional endurance. From serving in the military to working in the prison system, battling PTSD and anxiety, and stepping into the unexpected world of pageantry, my journey has been anything but conventional. But through every challenge, I discovered that resilience is not just about survival; it’s about thriving in the face of adversity.
The Weight of Experience: Military and Prison System Challenges
My early years in the military instilled in me discipline, structure, and perseverance. It taught me to push forward, even in the toughest conditions. However, nothing could have prepared me for the psychological impact of working in a maximum-security male prison. I entered the role ready to serve, but what I didn’t anticipate was the trauma that would come from sexual harassment and stalking by one inmate.
The harassment was relentless and dehumanising, with the trauma escalating as the stalking continued. As the emotional toll built up, I began to lose touch with myself. To cope, I felt the need to strip away my femininity, adopting a more hardened, defensive persona in an attempt to protect my vulnerability. It felt as though I had to shed parts of who I was just to survive emotionally. This resulted in a severe loss of identity, leaving me feeling disconnected from the woman I once was.
At the same time, my husband and I had just gotten married. We were navigating a brand-new marriage, and suddenly, he was faced with the painful reality of losing his wife to the trauma I was experiencing. We both struggled with the changes, as I fought to hold onto any semblance of normalcy while trying to heal from the overwhelming experience at work. Eventually, I was forced to leave the prison system; not just because of the external dangers, but because of the internal scars that had formed.
Finding Strength in the Unexpected: A Journey into Pageantry
In the midst of my personal struggles, I found an unlikely source of healing; pageantry. To many, the pageant world seemed like a stark contrast to my previous experiences. But for me, it was an opportunity to reclaim my confidence, rebuild my sense of self, and find my femininity again.
When I entered my first pageant, I was filled with self-doubt. I questioned whether I belonged in this space, whether I was “enough” to compete with the confident, poised women around me. But with every step I took on that stage, I rediscovered pieces of myself that had been buried under layers of fear and trauma. Pageantry allowed me to reconnect with my femininity and reminded me that my worth wasn’t defined by what I’d been through.
Against all odds, I won my first pageant. That victory wasn’t just about earning a title; it was about proving to myself that resilience is about standing tall, even when fear and doubt tell you to shrink away.
Making History and Breaking Barriers
My journey in pageantry didn’t stop there. I went on to compete internationally, earning the title of Mrs. Galaxy Oceania; the first person in history to do so. That achievement proved to me that the barriers we believe exist are often just reflections of our own fears.
Not long after, I made history once again by becoming the first-ever Mrs. Universal Petite Australia. These titles weren’t just personal victories; they were proof that no matter where we come from or what we’ve endured, we have the power to create our own legacy.
Lessons in Resilience: How to Rise Through Adversity
Through my journey, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about coming back stronger. Here are the key lessons that helped me rise through adversity:
Shift Your Mindset: Your struggles don’t define you; how you respond to them does. Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" ask, "What can I learn from this?"
Embrace Discomfort: Growth happens in the moments when we want to quit. Fear and self-doubt are part of the journey, but they should never dictate the outcome.
Own Your Story: Your past does not limit your future. The challenges you’ve faced can become the foundation for your strength if you choose to own them rather than hide from them.
Final Thoughts: Strength is Already Within You
Resilience isn’t something you find; it’s something you build. Every struggle, every setback, and every moment of doubt is an opportunity to stand stronger. My journey from the military and prison system to the pageant stage has taught me that no challenge is too great to overcome.
No matter what you’ve faced, your story isn’t over. You have the power to break barriers, redefine your path, and create a future filled with purpose. Your comeback will always be stronger than your setback; you just have to take that first step forward.
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