3 Inspirational Women Who Rediscovered Their SPARK & Changed the World

Sam Fraser
Mar 1
3 min read

Updated: Apr 30

Three diverse women, a film actress, a gold medal Olympian, and a woman of color, are featured in a horizontal image.

Have You Lost Your Spark? You’re Not Alone.

That fire inside you—that sense of confidence, purpose, and excitement—can sometimes feel like it’s disappeared. Life happens. We go through changes, challenges, and moments where we feel stuck.

But here’s the truth: your spark isn’t gone—it’s just waiting to be rediscovered.

Even the most successful and inspiring women have faced moments of doubt, reinvention, and resilience. What makes them different? They didn’t let setbacks define them. They reignited their spark—and changed the world in the process.

Today, in honour of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating three incredible women who prove that it’s never too late to rediscover your confidence, purpose, and resilience.

Feeling stuck? Let their stories inspire you to reignite YOUR spark.

1. Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock – From Struggles at School to Space Scientist & Role Model

“It’s not about where you start, but where you dare to dream.”

If someone told young Maggie she would one day become one of Britain’s leading space scientists, she might not have believed them.

Diagnosed with dyslexia, she struggled with reading and was often told that science “wasn’t for her.” Teachers suggested she consider nursing instead. But Maggie had a dream—to understand the stars.

How She Rediscovered Her SPARK:

• Instead of accepting limitations, she found new ways to learn and push past self-doubt.

• She studied physics at Imperial College London and went on to work on projects for NASA and the European Space Agency.

• She now inspires thousands of young girls to pursue science as a presenter of The Sky at Night.

Lesson for You: You are not defined by your past struggles. Your spark is still within you—find what excites you, and follow it.

2. Nicola Adams – Fighting for Her Place in History & Inspiring Confidence in Women

“You don’t have to fit in—you just have to fight for what you believe in.”

Nicola Adams didn’t just become a champion—she changed the face of women’s boxing.

She started boxing at 12, but there was one problem—women’s boxing wasn’t even an Olympic sport. For years, Nicola trained without knowing if she’d ever have a chance to compete at the highest level.

In 2012, that changed. Women’s boxing was finally added to the Olympics, and Nicola made history by winning Britain’s first-ever female boxing gold medal.

How She Rediscovered Her SPARK:

• She faced years of rejection and setbacks but never gave up on her dream.

• She embraced her confidence and uniqueness in a male-dominated sport.

• She is now an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, proving that confidence is about being true to yourself.

Lesson for You: Confidence isn’t about being fearless—it’s about believing in yourself enough to take action, even when the odds are against you.

3. Emma Watson – From Actress to Global Feminist Leader

“If not me, who? If not now, when?”

Emma Watson could have stayed in her comfort zone after Harry Potter. Instead, she stepped into her purpose and became a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, leading the global #HeForShe movement.

She had no background in activism, no formal training in politics—just a passion for gender equality and a belief that she could make a difference.

How She Rediscovered Her SPARK:

She used her voice and platform to create real change, rather than staying silent.
She stepped out of her comfort zone, delivering a powerful speech at the UN that went viral.
She proved that you don’t have to be an expert to make a difference—you just have to start.

Lesson for You: You don’t need to have everything figured out—just start taking small steps toward what matters to you, and your purpose will reveal itself.

What These Women Teach Us About Rediscovering Our SPARK