In a recent LinkedIn post, Heather Monahan shares a deeply personal story about how a moment of betrayal led to one of the most significant friendships in her life. The narrative, shared with her followers, highlights a pivotal experience from her youth that fundamentally shaped her views on female relationships and competition.
Monahan recounts an incident from when she was around 19 years old, dating a man she suspected was being unfaithful. Her investigation led her to his baseball game, where she unexpectedly encountered his other girlfriend. Instead of succumbing to societal expectations of rivalry and animosity between women in such a situation, Monahan and the other woman found common ground.
“We looked at each other, figured out in about ninety seconds that we’d both been lied to by the same person, and dropped him on the spot. Together.”
This shared experience of being deceived by the same individual, as detailed by Monahan, resulted in an immediate alliance rather than conflict. This encounter, occurring over 35 years ago, laid the foundation for a friendship that endures to this day.
The Choice to Connect Over Conflict
Heather Monahan emphasizes that the initial shock of the discovery quickly gave way to a profound realization about the nature of female relationships. She reflects on how the narrative of women competing for male attention or resources is a limiting one.
Challenging Societal Narratives
According to Monahan, the default societal script often pits women against each other. However, she and her newfound friend chose a different path.
“That was 35 years ago. She’s still my person. Here’s what that day actually taught me, and it took me decades to say it out loud: he was never the point. The version of this story where we fight over him is the version that keeps women small. The version where we choose each other is the one that actually changes your life.”
Monahan argues that embracing solidarity and choosing connection over competition has transformative power, not just for individuals but for broader societal dynamics. She posits that this choice allows women to transcend limitations often imposed by patriarchal structures.
Building a Career on Collaboration, Not Competition
The insights gained from this formative experience, Monahan explains, became a cornerstone of her professional philosophy. She has built her career and company on the principle that women do not need to vie for limited opportunities.
“I built a career and a company on the idea that women don’t have to compete for scraps of anything ➡️ attention, opportunity, a seat at the table.”
As Heather Monahan notes, this foundational belief was not forged in a corporate boardroom but originated from a deeply human moment on a baseball field. It underscores her advocacy for female empowerment and mutual support in all spheres of life.
A Call to Reflect
Concluding her post, Monahan invites her audience to consider similar experiences in their own lives. She prompts readers to identify individuals with whom they might have expected to feel resentment but instead chose a path of support and connection.
“Who’s the person you could’ve resented but chose instead? Tell me about them.”
This reflective prompt encourages followers to consider the power of choosing collaboration and support, echoing Monahan’s central message about the life-altering impact of choosing each other.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Heather Monahan on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 4, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →