We recently had the chance to connect with Tammy Gibson and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tammy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to speak on bigger stages—literally.
For years, I was comfortable sharing short trainings or going live on Instagram, speaking from the safety of my own space. But going onto a stage, with lights in my eyes and a microphone in my hand, requires a whole new level of courage. It’s not just about speaking—it’s about being seen.
After losing my right leg above the knee and facing other physical challenges, I realized that my story isn’t just mine to hold. It’s meant to serve. Every time I roll on stage in my wheelchair, I’m reminded that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to show up anyway. Public speaking, especially delivering keynotes, is where my calling and my courage meet. It’s where I turn pain into purpose, and resilience into a message that helps others rise too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tammy Gibson, keynote speaker and founder of Tough Like Tammy, a movement and brand built on resilience, confidence, and the power of reinvention. For over two decades, I worked in fashion and business—helping women look and feel their best. But my real transformation began after a life-altering experience: I lost my right leg above the knee, spent four months in the hospital, and had to completely rebuild my body and spirit.
That experience didn’t end my story—it rewrote it. Today, I use that journey to inspire others through speaking, writing, and brand partnerships that show life can be both tough and beautiful. My keynotes and workshops empower professional women and corporate teams to turn adversity into strength and lead with confidence, authenticity, and joy.
What makes my brand unique is that it’s not just about overcoming—it’s about thriving. Tough Like Tammy is where grit meets grace, where resilience meets glamour, and where we remind the world that every setback can be the beginning of a powerful comeback.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that believed I had to earn my worth has served its purpose. For much of my life—even before my illness—I measured success by achievement, productivity, and how well I could keep it all together. That mindset helped me climb, build, and perform, but it also kept me in survival mode long after the storm had passed.
Losing my leg stripped away all the layers of “doing” and forced me to meet myself in the quiet. I learned that worth isn’t something we prove—it’s something we remember. Now, I’m releasing the version of me who pushed through pain just to appear strong. I don’t need to prove resilience anymore. I am resilience. And that shift—trading performance for peace—has opened the door to a deeper, more joyful kind of strength.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The deepest wound wasn’t physical — it was emotional. When my body failed me, when my kidneys shut down and my independence was stripped away, I felt like a burden. I had always been the strong one, the doer, the woman people looked to for answers. Suddenly, I was the one who needed help to survive. Losing that sense of control broke something inside me.
The real healing began when I stopped fighting what had already changed and allowed myself to grieve it. I had to let God meet me in the places I wanted to hide — the fear, the anger, the disappointment — and trust that I was still whole, even when life didn’t look the same. Over time, that wound became a place of transformation. It taught me compassion for myself and others, and a gentler way of living that isn’t driven by striving, but by grace.
Now, I see that the emotional wound was never meant to destroy me — it was meant to open me. To humility. To tenderness. To the kind of strength that doesn’t need to prove anything anymore.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — what you see is who I am. I’ve learned that authenticity is my greatest strength. I don’t believe in showing only the highlight reel; I share both the challenges and the celebrations, because that’s real life. When I talk about resilience or thriving after loss, it’s not theory, it’s lived experience.
Of course, there are moments I protect for myself and my family, but the heart of what I share is true. Whether I’m on stage, on social media, or in everyday life, I try to show up as the same person, honest, hopeful, and human. I believe that when we share the full picture — not just the polished parts — we create deeper connection and remind others that they’re not alone in their own process of becoming.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I loved deeply — God, my family, my friends, and the community that surrounded me. That I showed up with both courage and compassion, even when life didn’t go as planned.
More than anything, I hope they remember that I was on a mission to remind women that they are daughters of God — deeply loved, fully capable, and never alone. That no matter what life throws their way, they can keep moving forward with faith and grace. If my story helps someone remember their own strength and worth, then I’ll be grateful to know it made a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toughliketammy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toughliketammy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toughliketammy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToughLikeTammy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@toughliketammy
Image Credits
Anya Kumar
Michael Easley
