SENSITIVITY WARNING: Katie and I discuss experiences of sexual abuse in this episode. Please use caution when listening.

I first heard Katie speak at a fundraising event back in 2012. She read some of her poetry, and spoke of her heart’s desire with such conviction and passion: providing girls in Liberia with free education through her non-profit organisation, More Than Me. I remember walking away from that night feeling like a fire was lit inside of me.

I followed Katie’s story from then on; as she continued to raise money and awareness for Liberia, as she risked her life to protect the girls and the city she loved during the ebola outbreak in 2014. She was named a TIME person of the year in 2014 alongside other brave doctors and aid workers during the ebola crisis.

She resigned from her school in 2018 following negative press from a sexual abuse scandal uncovered at the school. Not long after, her sister died of a drug overdose, and Katie found herself in a place of immense grief; dealing with not one, but several massive life changes at once.

Katie is a courageous and brave heart, with grit and determination, and her raw, genuine story will inspire you.

In this episode Katie and I talk about —

Her vision to give girls in Liberia free education that led her to create her non-profit organisation, More Than Me
The sacrifices she made to build her organisation and raise awareness for Liberia
Her experiences during the 2014 ebola outbreak
The fallout after uncovering sexual abuse at the school
How she’s moving through her grief after leaving More Than Me and dealing with the loss of her sister to a drug addiction
What she’s learning about self-love and acceptance as she continues to process things she can’t change
The power of trying new things

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ABOUT KATIE
Katie Meyler is a force of nature that defines courage. Katie’s spent over a decade working on behalf of children in Liberia. Her organization, More Than Me, opened the first tuition-free private school for girls in Monrovia. Furthermore, at the request of the Minister of Education, Katie played an important role in supporting the Ministry's national education reform program which has led to profound learning gains for over 50,000 students.

During the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Katie resolved to remain by her students and staff instead of heading back to the United States. For her efforts, she was named 2014 TIME Person of the Year. Katie was named among People Magazine's 25 Women Changing the World next to Sheryl Sandberg and Oprah, she's a Nelson Mandela Changemaker, one of Global Citizen's 17 Badass Women, and Glamour's 4 inspiring Women to follow on Instagram.

Katie resigned from her organization in 2018 after negative press over a sexual abuse scandal by a local staff member who she put behind bars.

Katie has a beautiful son, Araya, and is currently writing a book about her experience in Liberia and the lessons she learned. Katie remains in contact with many of her older students and informally supports the efforts of the locally run non-profit that took over her foundation's work.

Katie is a speaker who has spoken on stages with Bill Gates, Mala, and other important voices, she's also a performing poet and a writer. Informed by her experiences at home and abroad, she effortlessly inspires and lifts rooms up with her raw, genuine unique storytelling which addresses a myriad of topics from her life including courageous living, overcoming failure, relentless love, and moving through grief and loss which she experienced after losing her sister to drug addiction.

CONNECT WITH KATIE
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Learn more about education in Liberia: Hilltop School

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