How to Own Your Story and Your Awkward with Sarah Elkins

In this episode of the Own Your Awkward Podcast, Andy Vargo sits down with communication coach and storytelling expert Sarah Elkins to explore how the stories we tell, and how we tell them, shape the way we are seen and heard. From launching the No Longer Virtual conference to embracing being underestimated because of her height, Sarah shares powerful insights on owning your voice, your awkward, and your narrative. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and reminders that authenticity is your greatest advantage.

Sarah Elkins is not just a communication coach, she is a Chief Storymaker. Through her work at Elkins Consulting and her podcast “Your Stories Don’t Define You. How You Tell Them Will,” she helps leaders and teams communicate with clarity, confidence, and connection. And as this episode reveals, her own journey with awkwardness and storytelling has been just as impactful as the lessons she teaches.

Let’s break down some of the most powerful moments from this conversation.

Why Storytelling Is More Than Just Sharing a Story

One of the core themes of this episode is that storytelling is not simply about what happened, it is about how you frame what happened.

Sarah shares an early experience that shaped her podcast title and philosophy. She observed a woman who had overcome tremendous adversity, yet the way she told her story made her come across as a victim rather than a resilient powerhouse. The facts of the story were the same, but the narrative changed everything.

This is a powerful reminder for anyone in leadership, business, or personal growth. Your experiences do not define you on their own. The meaning you attach to them does.

Andy immediately connects this idea to the heart of Own Your Awkward. We all have moments, traits, or chapters we might be tempted to hide or downplay, but when reframed intentionally, they become sources of connection and credibility.

The big takeaway here: you are always telling a story, even when you do not realize it. The question is whether you are telling it on purpose.

The Birth of the “No Longer Virtual” Conference

As someone deeply embedded in the world of communication and connection, Sarah noticed something important during the rise of virtual events and online communities. While they made access easier and broader, something essential was missing.

That realization led to the creation of the No Longer Virtual Conference.

Rather than hosting another massive, high-volume event, Sarah intentionally capped attendance at around 50 people. Why? Because depth beats scale when it comes to meaningful connection.

She explains that traditional conferences often create what she calls the “after-conference hangover.” You leave inspired, energized, and full of ideas, but once you return to normal life, that spark quickly fades. Without strong relationships and accountability, the momentum disappears.

By designing No Longer Virtual as an intimate, connection-driven experience, Sarah built an environment where relationships continue long after the event ends. People collaborate, support each other, and grow together.

This is a masterclass in experience design and a lesson for leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere: connection is not a byproduct, it must be built on purpose.

Owning Her Awkward: Being Underestimated Because of Her Height

One of the most memorable parts of this episode is when Sarah shares her personal “awkward,” being physically small and often perceived as younger or less authoritative than she actually is.

She recounts moments when people would visibly react with surprise when she stood up, suddenly realizing she was much shorter than expected. It became clear that people had been unconsciously forming assumptions about her based on that perception.

And then there is the unforgettable college story where a basketball player literally picked her up and placed her on top of a Coke machine. Equal parts funny and alarming, it drove home how differently she was being seen in the world.

Instead of allowing this to frustrate or limit her, Sarah chose to own it.

She learned how to adjust her energy, presence, and communication style to match her authority. She leaned into humor. She became more aware of her audience and how to command a room not through physical size, but through presence, voice, and confidence.

This is Own Your Awkward in real life. Not pretending the awkward thing does not exist, but using it as a strategic advantage.

The Hidden Advantage of Being Underestimated

Andy and Sarah dive into a fascinating idea: being underestimated can actually be a gift.

When people do not expect much from you based on surface-level traits, it creates a powerful opportunity to exceed expectations. When you surprise people with your competence, clarity, or leadership, the impact is even greater.

Sarah explains that rather than resenting being underestimated, she learned to leverage it. It gave her the space to redefine how people saw her, not through appearance, but through capability and confidence.

This perspective shift is gold for anyone who has ever felt overlooked, dismissed, or boxed in. What if instead of fighting the perception head-on, you used it as the setup for your own reveal?

Bringing Your Whole Self to Every Room

As the episode wraps, Sarah offers a message that beautifully aligns with the Own Your Awkward mission.

Everyone has something awkward about them. No one is exempt. Even the people you admire most, the so-called rock stars of your life, have quirks, insecurities, and awkward edges.

The difference is not who has awkwardness and who does not. The difference is who is willing to acknowledge it, accept it, and use it intentionally.

When you bring your whole self into a room, not just the polished parts, you give others permission to do the same. And that is where trust, connection, and true leadership are built.

How You Can Apply This Today

Here are a few simple ways to put Sarah’s wisdom into action:

• Revisit a story you often tell about yourself and ask, how am I framing this
• Identify one “awkward” trait you usually hide and experiment with owning it
• Pay attention to how you want people to feel after hearing your story
• Look for ways to build deeper, not just broader, connections in your work

Small shifts in awareness can lead to massive changes in impact.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence is not about perfection. It is about intention. About choosing how you show up, how you tell your story, and how you use what makes you different as a strength instead of a liability.

Sarah Elkins does not just teach communication, she embodies it. And in doing so, she gives all of us a roadmap for owning our voice, our story, and our awkward with a little more courage and a lot more clarity.

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that how they tell their story matters.