From Undervalued to Unshakable

I recently had a phone interview for a position I knew I’d be great in.

The first 10 minutes were smooth. The HR rep and I were laughing, swapping stories about our health journeys. The conversation felt more like catching up with an old friend than a formal interview. We walked through the responsibilities, shared a few laughs, and built a rhythm.

Then came the shift.

“What are your salary requirements?”

The tone changed instantly. The warmth faded.

Suddenly, I wasn’t a peer—I was a negotiation.

The HR rep turned from friendly to forceful, like a used car salesman shifting into hard close mode.

“Well, we just don’t start people out that high.”

“I think you’d be a great addition to the team… you just need to accept what we have to offer.”

Their offer was nearly 50% less than my baseline—and significantly lower than what competitors pay for the same role.

And here’s the part I’m not proud of:

For a moment… I actually considered it.

When You Don’t Know Your Worth

I thought maybe they had my best interests in mind.

Maybe I was asking for too much.

Maybe I needed to accept “how things are” in today’s chaotic economy.

But then something inside me snapped back.

I’ve spent years building my skillset.

I’ve pushed through adversity, burnout, rebuilding, and reinvention.

I’ve earned the right to know my worth—even when someone else can’t see it.

So I said no.

What I’ve Learned

I explained, respectfully and clearly, that with the experience I bring, the work I’ve done, and the drive I carry—I’m looking for a company that values that.

That’s not arrogance. That’s alignment.

And here’s what helped me get there:

• The Army taught me how to advocate for myself.

• Strongman training taught me that even immovable things break with consistency.

• Therapy taught me that boundaries aren’t walls—they’re frameworks for respect.

From Undervalued to Unshakable

They’ll try to undervalue you until you stop undervaluing yourself.

They’ll offer you what they think you’re worth—unless you show them otherwise.

Once you stand tall, they’ll either step up—or step aside.

And when you know your worth?

You won’t settle.

You won’t shrink.

You’ll stand—unshakable.