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

Hi Katey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For years I had tried to hide the story of my rape from my family, my friends… the world. I really hadn’t dealt with my trauma and therefore couldn’t talk about it. And then little by little, I felt compelled to work through it. As I did so, God worked in my heart and started to heal my scars. Then, when an opportunity presented itself to share my story on a stage in front of 1000 teenagers, though I was terrified, I was able to do it. Through telling the story of my rape and healing, I realized how powerful it was. I learned that it not only inspired others to share their stories, but it brought hope to those who had experienced trauma themselves. I feel like God wants me to tell this story. It’s not comfortable, but if my story can help someone else, it needs to be told.

What should our readers know about your business?
Haha was it easy?? Definitely not. Having been raped while unconscious, I spent years running from the pain, and suppressing the trauma, only to learn that I had to go through it for God to redeem and heal me.  My story was first told on a stage at a high school in Arequipa, Peru in front of 1000 teenagers. And that was terrifying! Now, I speak to women all over the world, at churches, women’s events, and online conferences. My main talk, entitled “Purpose in Pain: Turning Trauma into Triumph” was created to help women face their pain and trauma, so that they can use it to propel their unique and God-given purpose. My mission is to use my story to help other women to acknowledge what has hurt them, commit to healing from it, and to surrender it, so that God can use the trauma for His good. God wastes nothing!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ah! Our first night we would probably go to Astra, the 1 hotel, or Sugar because I love rooftops. We would get Korean BBQ at Soju in Wynwood, Indonesian food at Bali Cafe, and Peruvian brunch at La Mar. Go to the beach on Key Biscayne. Salsa dancing at Ball & Chain, and workout at South Point Park. Then take a day and go paddle boarding in the Florida keys and get Acai bowls at Gratitude watersports cafe in Key Largo.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes! I want to dedicate my shoutout to anyone who has experienced sexual trauma. It’s taboo. It’s awkward to talk about and people often accuse you of being a fault, making it up, or ‘accusing a good person who couldn’t have possibly done that’. It is really difficult to acknowledge and deal with the reality of the situation when people are constantly questioning if what you say is true. It makes you question it yourself. And then feel guilty and shameful, as if you did something wrong. And you didn’t. So I am here to encourage these people. That it is ok to feel what you feel. It was traumatic, and it needs to be labeled as such. You’re not ‘damaged goods’. It’s not easy, but there is healing. God makes all things new.

Website: www.kateymaddux.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateymaddux/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateymaddux/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kateyspeaks/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmMzkNcGGWhnSjUp6r8MHkA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Some photos (not all) by jennie bergqvist