Embracing the Messy Parts of Life and Finding Your Power

In a world that glorifies perfection, Simone Knego reminds us that real beauty lies in the chaos — in the messy, unfiltered, everyday moments that shape who we are.

On this podcast episode, Simone opens up about her transformative journey — from being an accountant and teacher to becoming a best-selling author, international speaker, and fierce advocate for adoption and self-acceptance. But her story isn’t just about success; it’s about courage, self-discovery, and finding extraordinary meaning in an ordinary life.

This episode is more than a conversation — it’s a mirror that invites us to reflect on our own stories, recognize our worth, and embrace the messy, imperfect paths that lead to purpose.

The Turning Point: From Numbers to Narratives

Simone Knego never imagined that her life would take the shape it has today. In the early years, she followed a practical path — pursuing a degree in accounting and then becoming a teacher. She checked all the right boxes, but something felt off.

She shares that despite having a successful career and a loving family, there was always this whisper inside her: Is this it? Am I really living my purpose?

Like many of us, Simone’s struggle began not with failure, but with the subtle dissatisfaction that comes from living life by someone else’s blueprint. She was doing what she was supposed to do — yet it didn’t feel fulfilling.

That realization marked the beginning of a deep internal shift. She wanted to live a life that meant more than routines and expectations. She wanted to make an impact — not through fame or fortune, but through authenticity.

Motherhood, Adoption, and the Lessons That Redefined Her

One of the most powerful parts of Simone’s journey is her story of motherhood. She and her husband have six children — three biological and three adopted from around the world.

Her decision to adopt wasn’t driven by heroism or a savior complex. It was about love, connection, and an openness to life’s unpredictability. Each adoption brought its own challenges — paperwork, travel, emotional highs and lows — but Simone says those experiences changed her more than anything else ever could.

Raising children from different cultural backgrounds taught her about empathy, patience, and the beauty of diversity. It reminded her that family isn’t defined by DNA, but by the love and values shared within it.

Through motherhood, Simone learned to let go of perfection. She describes moments of chaos — running late to school, mismatched socks, a mountain of laundry — and says those imperfections became the threads that wove her family’s story together.

It’s this honesty that makes her message resonate. She doesn’t try to be the flawless mom or the polished speaker. She’s real, raw, and unapologetically human.

Climbing Kilimanjaro and Finding Strength in the Struggle

Among the defining chapters of Simone’s story is her climb up Mount Kilimanjaro — a journey that became both a physical and emotional turning point.

She hadn’t planned on becoming a mountain climber. In fact, the adventure began almost by accident when her husband was invited to join a charity climb for the Livestrong Foundation. He declined — joking that he was too tall to sleep in a tiny tent at 16,000 feet — and told them, “Call Simone instead.”

That call changed everything. At the time, Simone was struggling with identity and self-worth. She was deep in motherhood, raising six kids and keeping up the façade that everything was fine, even when she felt lost inside. When the opportunity came, she said “yes” — partly out of habit, partly out of something deeper she couldn’t name yet.

“I said yes because I was the yes-girl,” she recalls. “I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. I said yes before I even realized what I was getting into — and then I researched it and thought, wow, this is huge.”

Determined to be ready, Simone spent six months training, pushing herself daily at the gym. Yet even as she prepared, people questioned her. “Do you really think you’re going to make it to the top?” they’d ask. “No,” she’d reply wryly, “I think I’ll stop halfway — that’s the plan.”

But she didn’t stop.

Simone made it to the summit — through exhaustion, cold, and moments of doubt — and the experience changed how she saw herself forever. She was one of sixteen climbers, most of whom were strangers, including cancer survivors and others climbing in honor of loved ones. Their courage and stories inspired her at every step.

“Reaching the top was incredible,” she says, “but it wasn’t about that. It was about stepping out of my comfort zone and realizing what I was capable of. I learned that it’s not about setting the goal — it’s about doing the work to get there.”

Kilimanjaro became more than a mountain; it was a metaphor for her life. Every step upward reflected her journey inward — from self-doubt to self-belief, from exhaustion to empowerment.

The Power of Telling Your Story

Simone’s transformation took a new direction when she decided to write her book, The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You. What began as a personal reflection soon turned into a global movement encouraging others to see the power in their own stories.

Writing wasn’t easy. She admits she battled imposter syndrome and the fear that no one would care what she had to say. But through that vulnerability came strength.

In the podcast, she shares that every time she doubted herself, she remembered her purpose — to help others recognize that their everyday lives matter. “You don’t need to climb Mount Everest to be extraordinary,” she says. “It’s about the small moments — the connections, the kindness, the courage to show up as you are.”

Her book became a bestseller and led her to stages across the world where she speaks about identity, purpose, and embracing imperfections. What makes Simone’s story powerful isn’t that she’s perfect — it’s that she’s real.

Finding Confidence in the “Messy Middle”

Throughout the podcast, Simone opens up about her internal battles — self-doubt, insecurity, the pressure to do it all. She describes that “messy middle” period where she was juggling motherhood, personal growth, and her own expectations.

She says, “We’re so quick to compare our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. But when we start owning our imperfections, that’s where confidence begins.”

That authenticity has become her superpower. Simone doesn’t preach from a pedestal; she walks beside her audience, reminding them that the messy, unfiltered parts of life are what make it beautiful.

Her philosophy is simple but profound: our stories — even the imperfect ones — are worth telling.

Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

Simone didn’t always have the confidence she exudes today. There were moments she almost gave up — times when fear was louder than faith. She talks about how speaking in public terrified her at first. The thought of standing on stage, sharing personal stories, made her heart race.

But she realized that fear was part of the process. “Courage isn’t the absence of fear,” she says. “It’s moving forward despite it.”

Every time she pushed past her comfort zone, something magical happened — she connected with someone who needed to hear her story. That connection became her motivation.

Simone’s message here is universal: you don’t have to have it all figured out to make a difference. You just have to show up.

Lessons in Leadership and Human Connection

What’s remarkable about Simone’s story is how she blends personal growth with leadership. She emphasizes that leadership isn’t about titles or positions; it’s about influence — the small ways we impact others every day.

Her experiences with adoption, teaching, and public speaking taught her that people don’t connect through perfection. They connect through shared humanity.

She says, “When we show up as ourselves, we give others permission to do the same.”

That’s a message that resonates far beyond motherhood or motivational speaking. It’s relevant to anyone navigating life — whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or simply trying to be a better version of yourself.

The Global Impact: Speaking, Teaching, and Inspiring Change

Today, Simone is an international speaker who has shared stages with thought leaders and changemakers. But even with her success, she remains grounded.

She talks about how surreal it felt the first time she stood in front of a large audience, realizing her words had the power to shift perspectives. For her, it’s not about the spotlight; it’s about sparking conversations that help people see the value in their own stories.

Her talks blend humor, honesty, and vulnerability — and that’s what makes them unforgettable. People see themselves in her stories. They walk away inspired not to change who they are, but to see themselves differently.

What Simone Wants You to Remember

As the podcast draws to a close, Simone leaves listeners with powerful takeaways that echo long after the episode ends:

You are enough, exactly as you are.
Your story matters — even if it doesn’t look perfect.
Every small act of kindness and courage creates a ripple effect.
Perfection is overrated — authenticity is where power lives.

She encourages everyone to stop waiting for the “right time” to pursue their purpose. The truth, she says, is that life’s most extraordinary moments often come from the most ordinary circumstances.

Finding the Extraordinary in You

Listening to Simone Knego’s journey is like getting a gentle nudge from a wise friend — one who’s walked through self-doubt, chaos, and uncertainty, yet found beauty in all of it.

Her story reminds us that ordinary doesn’t mean insignificant. The real magic happens when we stop comparing, start connecting, and realize that our imperfect lives are exactly what make us extraordinary.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your story isn’t worth sharing, think again. As Simone says, “The world doesn’t need perfect people — it needs real people who care, who try, who love, and who show up.”

That’s what makes you extraordinary.

Watch her full episode here: