Meet Megan Hiatt | Empowerment Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Hiatt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, what makes you happy? Why?
Sounds like a simple question, “What makes you happy?” Every single person on this earth will say something vastly different from the next. For me, being able to walk makes me happy, being able to go to the gym makes me happy. 8.5 years ago I was the lone survivor in a triple murder suicide. This event took away so many things from me, my ability to be physically independent. To walk, to stand, to shower. It took away my joy to live as this tragedy resulted in the loss of my twin daughters and fathers lives. After 50+ surgeries in 8.5 years I now have the ability to walk assistance free. I started going to the gym a month ago and am blessed to have a personal trainer that is helping me to adapt workouts with my physical limitations. Being able to walk, after 6.5 years wheelchair bound, then a year of needing an assortment of walking devices, to now being able to be physically independent. Something so simple as being able to walk has instilled a joy in my life that had become dormant for far too long.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an empowerment speaker, similar to a motivational speaker. What stands me apart from a motivational speaker is that when talking about obstacles that stand in our way, I discuss how they actually create us into the individuals we are today. Motivational speakers in a way discuss how to remove obstacles in your path of success. Myself I honed in on Empowerment because some obstacles cannot be removed, they must be powered through and become a part of your story and who you are. They build you, they create you, they drive you, and they empower you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely have to stop at the minor league team Rough Riders in Frisco. The lazy river is a phenomenal spot to take in a baseball game all while floating around. Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks, that’s the best part while lounging in the lazy river.

Rodeo Goat is a must for all things burgers! My go to is the Nanny Goat. No matter what location you go to the quality and freshness is unmatched.

The botanical gardens is a phenomal spot for photos and after have brunch at Paradiso in Dallas. Their restaurant’s decor, ambience, and menu change with the seasons. It is an experience to soak in and take advantage of all of the photo opportunities.

My all time favorite thing to do of all is go into downtown Dallas and visit the “giant eyeball,” a tourist attraction. Given I have a prosthetic eye it makes for a great photo opportunity, my friends always seem to get a kick out of it given one of my most famous one liners is “i have one eye so…” It’s part of the Megan experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The “Voices Committee” through One Safe Place. It is the local family justice center in tarrant county, in conjunction with Alliance for hope International. This committee has done an amazing job of supporting domestic violence survivors and giving them a voice. It has been such an empowering experience to be on this committee going on 3.5 years and also being the national representative for our One Safe Place chapter. It’s a group of survivors leading, empowering, all while using the impact of our individual experiences to further the cause of education, advocacy, and empowerment of domestic violence advocacy. Impacting those who are current victims or new survivors. As well as to educate those who may one day experience it, or know of someone experiencing it. It’s a work that must be done. With an amazing group of fellow domestic violence survivors/warriors, it is hard to not be empowered when surrounded by other rockstar individuals furthering the work and outreach that needs to be done.

Website: https://blinq.me/pOnxwDpC4aXmAYhJ91wW

Other: To hear more about my story please don’t hesitate to listen to the podcast Sword and Scale Episode 237.
https://www.swordandscale.com/listen/episodes/Sword-and-Scale-Episode-237

Image Credits
Survivor Panel, Alliance for Hope International, 24th Annual Conference