🏇 What a Kentucky Derby Bet Taught Me About Reclaiming Your Narrative
A few days ago, I bet on a horse named Sovereignty.
It was part of a lively Kentucky Derby betting pool at my friend Elizabeth’s party.
There were tiny hats, big hats, and fabulous theme decor—because Elizabeth loves to host a good themed gathering.
While others popped champagne, I was sipping mocktails and snacking on Whole30-friendly deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped dates (because yes, I’m in the middle of Whole30 and proud of it).
I wasn’t expecting anything more than a fun afternoon, a festive crowd, and maybe a small win.
But then Sovereignty crossed the finish line first.
🎉 I walked away with a $75 prize, a winner’s sash, and the pure joy of dramatically fanning myself with my cash in front of my friends.
And—because I’m a Story Coach through and through—I also walked away thinking about what it really means to bet on sovereignty in our lives, not just at the racetrack.
Turns out, that win wasn’t just lucky.
It was revealing.
What Does Sovereignty Really Mean?
In political terms, sovereignty means supreme power or self-rule.
But when it comes to our personal stories, it means something even deeper.
Sovereignty is self-authorship.
It’s the moment you realize:
I don’t have to let anyone else write this story for me.
Not your job title.
Not your LinkedIn bio.
Not your family’s expectations.
Not the cultural blueprint of “success” you inherited but never agreed to.
Sovereignty means choosing how you define your past.
How you show up in the present.
And how you shape your possible futures.
It’s not about ignoring the hard parts.
It’s about deciding what they mean—and reclaiming the pen.
My Second Bet? Journalism.
Here’s the twist:
I also bet on a horse named Journalism.
It came in second place.
And that felt like the perfect metaphor.
Because if sovereignty is about authorship and agency, then journalism is about investigation and inquiry.
In the storytelling work I do—whether it’s with individuals or teams—it’s not just about crafting a great narrative.
It’s about getting curious about the ones we’ve absorbed.
âť“ Who taught me this version of success?
âť“ What stories am I still carrying that no longer serve me?
âť“ Where am I editing myself to stay palatable, small, or safe?
Journalism teaches us to ask better questions.
To go beneath the headline.
To dig into the details we’ve skipped over or suppressed.
Storytelling for Growth: Why This Matters
When you combine sovereignty with journalism, you create the conditions for real transformation.
You’re not just rewriting your story—you’re re-owning it.
That’s what I help people do as a Story Coach.
Whether I’m working with a team inside a mission-driven company or coaching an individual navigating a career shift, we always come back to the same powerful truth:
You can be both the author and the editor of your life.
Through story, we unlock:
Confidence and clarity in how we communicate
Connection that goes deeper than surface-level roles
Permission to show up fully—especially in leadership
A future that feels aligned, not just impressive
You don’t need to wait for a plot twist.
You get to choose what this chapter is about.
Want to Try It? Here Are 3 Story Prompts to Explore
đź–‹ Where in your life do you need to reclaim your sovereignty?
Where have you handed over the pen without realizing it?
🔍 What narrative are you still carrying that you never consciously chose?
What if you gave yourself permission to rewrite it?
đź—Ł If you were the journalist of your own life, what would you ask yourself right now?
Get curious. Follow the tension. There’s insight there.
These prompts aren’t just reflective.
They’re tools for building a life that feels like yours.
Final Thought: The Story Is Yours
That $75 Derby win was fun—no doubt.
But what stuck with me wasn’t the money.
It was the reminder that our stories are always in motion.
And the meaning? That’s up to us.
So what are you ready to bet on?
What story do you want to author next?
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Learn more about story coaching, workshops, and tools at www.lizmorrison.com
