Yesterday I listed to the Diary of a CEO podcast interview with Amy Cuddy. I’ve listened to a lot of episodes but mostly regarding work and the business. This episode spoke to me in a different way.

I had already followed Amy Cuddy on Instagram after hearing about her ted talk (which I still need to listen to) and body language chats including power poses.

In this episode Amy talks about being bullied as an adult which is something no one talks about. Now, like depression, bullying shouldn’t just be a term used when having a bad day however the problem with that is some people are scared to say it.

This was me. I didn’t like to use the ‘B’ word so, when I had an issue with someone I didn’t know how to manage it so I walked away. I walked away from something I loved to do, a group of people who were (I thought) amazing friends.

Hearing Amy’s situation and take on bullying finally resonated with me. I was bullied. Even writing that makes me worry that I’ll be classed as a drama queen but, by who?! THE Bullies!!!

As Amy put it, a bully on their own is just an a-hole, it is when they have recruits which in this case they did. What did she mean by this? In my case, it was my ‘amazing’ friends who, instead of fighting my corner believed what they were told. Taking sides, enjoying the drama? I don’t know and, in part maybe it is my fault because I never asked.

I cannot explain but hearing the whole conversation finally felt like my feelings were validated. You don’t know how to deal with it at the time – I just said to people I’m not in high school anymore so walked away from it all.

But is that cutting my nose to spite my face? I’ve stopped a hobby I really enjoyed and lost touch with friends involved. And does that mean the bully has won? Well, they’ve since left too so who knows, all I know is that I now have boundaries with people and follow my gut instinct when it comes to others.

Thanks Steven and Amy for that conversation, that is the benefit of podcasts, you never know when you’re helping someone.