One Month Since Dallas: What the Unstoppable Summit Reminded Me
- Michele Roys
- May 31
- 5 min read
When I landed in Dallas, tornado warnings, thunderstorms, and heavy rain were the last things I expected. If I'm honest, it felt a little like life itself.
Unpredictable.
Messy.
Challenging.
Yet somehow, by the end of the trip, the sun came out. Looking back now, that feels like a fitting reflection of my entire experience at the Unstoppable Summit.
As someone living with chronic pain, travel is never simple. Attending a full-day event takes planning, energy, and a willingness to navigate whatever my body decides to do that day.
Added to that was the grief I was carrying after recently losing my beloved dog, Lady.
Looking back, I realise I arrived in Dallas carrying much more than a suitcase.
· · ·
From the moment the event began, I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary conference.
As people found their seats inside the beautiful Irving Arts Center, a singer took to the stage. Her voice was electrifying. You could feel the emotion, the passion, and the soul behind every note.
It was the perfect introduction to what would become a day filled with powerful stories of resilience, courage, and transformation.
I first discovered Amberly Lago in 2024 after hearing her on the Ed Mylett podcast. Her strength, grit, and determination to find joy despite immense challenges deeply resonated with me — because it mirrored so much of what I have been trying to do in my own journey with chronic pain and invisible illness.
Meeting her in person only deepened that admiration. The warmth, generosity, and encouragement she shares online are exactly who she is in person. Spending a few days together strengthened our connection and reminded me why her message resonates with so many people.
Over five days in Dallas, I attended the VIP gathering at Whiskey Cake, spent time with Amberly, and connected with so many incredible people. Having those extra days together allowed for genuine conversations, meaningful connections, and moments I will always treasure.
One of those moments was reconnecting with Arjun, whom I had first met at another conference in 2024. Seeing familiar faces again felt like reconnecting with old friends.
But what impacted me most wasn't any single speaker.
It was a pattern.
As each person shared their story, I kept hearing the same words repeated in different ways:
"I decided."
"I chose."
"I made the decision."
No matter what challenge they had faced — whether health struggles, personal setbacks, loss, or adversity — there came a point where they made a decision.
A decision not to stay where they were.
A decision to move forward.
A decision to find a way through.
Real change begins with a decision. Not because the path suddenly becomes easy, but because something shifts internally before anything changes externally.
As someone who lives with chronic pain, that message resonated deeply.
There are times when navigating health challenges can feel incredibly lonely. It can feel like you are carrying burdens that few people truly understand, while still trying to show up, serve others, and make a difference in the world.
Being surrounded by people who had experienced their own versions of life's interruptions, setbacks, and unexpected challenges felt incredibly recharging.
Not everyone there faced health issues, but every person had a story of having their life turned upside down and finding a way to rebuild.
Their stories reminded me that resilience takes many forms.
I didn't realise how much I needed those few days until I was there. Being surrounded by people who understood struggle, resilience, and purpose felt like a deep exhale.
· · ·
The summit itself required a great deal physically. Travel is never easy for me, and attending full days of events comes with challenges that most people never see. What touched me most wasn't just the event itself, but the kindness of the people around me.
One wonderful couple made sure I got safely to and from the venue and checked that I had everything I needed throughout the event. Their kindness didn't go unnoticed.
On my final day in Dallas, after days of rain and storms, I was blessed with sunshine.
A lovely woman took time out of her day to show me around the city. She brought along her adorable Bichon dog, Frébreeze — named with a little French flair.
Having recently lost my sweet Lady, that moment was unexpectedly emotional. Frébreeze seemed to know I needed a little extra comfort. He stayed close to me throughout the day, something his owner said was unusual for him.
"Comfort often arrives in the most unexpected ways."
The day after the summit, I also had the opportunity to sit in the audience at Real News PR — founded by Jeff Crilley, a former major TV broadcaster turned PR powerhouse — and even go backstage during a live recording of The Amberly Lago Show, ask a question, and hear it answered live.
It was another reminder of how generous people can be with their time, encouragement, and support. As I look back now, I realise the greatest gift wasn't simply attending an event. It was being reminded of the power of community.
It was seeing firsthand how stories change lives.
It was witnessing people choose courage over comfort. And it was having my own resolve strengthened to continue sharing my story, in the hope that it may help someone else feel seen.
Thank you, Amberly, for creating a community that encourages people to keep going, keep growing, and keep believing that their story matters.
And if you are facing challenges of your own right now, this is your reminder:
Keep going.
Your story matters.
Your voice matters.
Someone, somewhere, may need the hope that only you can give.
Love and light,
Michele
P.S: I would love to hear from you, let me know if this resonated with you, and what is one challenge that you have overcome this last month? Just hit reply, I would love to connect with you my friend.
P.P.S.:
Here is a link to the episode I was at backstage: The Amberly Lago Show
In case you missed The Michele Roys Show latest podcasts, here is an easy link: Episode 73 - You’re Not Failing — It’s Your Nervous System | Krista Wagberg
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