In a world full of unrealistic expectations, many women find themselves living on autopilot. Often, all it takes to break out of this cycle of discontentment and find fulfillment is seeing someone else lead the way. Enter: Elite Author Charity Carmody, whose debut book empowers women to cast aside limiting beliefs, stop pursuing others’ ideas of what they should do, and build a life of their dreams.
Dr. Charity Carmody is a fourth-generation Alaskan, a dedicated leader, and a passionate advocate for children and families. She is the proud mother of four grown children and grandmother to four grandchildren. Her lifelong dedication to service and leadership has earned her recognition as a Champion for Children Awardee from the Alaska Children’s Trust, a Top 40 Under 40 honoree, and an Athena Society inductee for her outstanding contributions to her community. Go Ahead Girl, self-published with the support of the selfpublishing.com Author Advantage Accelerator Elite Program, is her latest achievement and, in her own words is just the beginning.
“This book is the first step in building a movement.”
Book Title: Go Ahead Girl: A No-nonsense Guide to Building the Life YOU Want
Genre: Self-Help, Women Entrepreneurs
Website: goaheadgirl.org
What inspired you to write this book for other women?
I wrote Go Ahead Girl: A No-Nonsense Guide to Building the Life YOU Want because, let’s be real—too many women are living their lives on autopilot, stuck doing what they think they’re “supposed to do.” I’m talking to you, leaders, moms, partners, and badass female entrepreneurs. You’ve been playing nice, saying “yes” too much, and putting your own dreams on the back burner.
That ends here.
This book is your wake-up call and your playbook.
In the Getting Unstuck section, we’ll rip off the bandaid, confront those outdated beliefs holding you back, and ditch the idea that martyrdom is some kind of virtue. Then, in Taking Control, we’ll get to work—building your confidence, setting boundaries like a boss, and crafting a life that actually feels good. I’m here to remind you that you don’t need permission to take up space, own your choices, and chase the life YOU want.
This isn’t fluff, girl—it’s straight talk with tools to back it up. Let’s get you unstuck, unstoppable, and unapologetically you.
Why was now the right time for this message?
The moment I knew I had to write Go Ahead Girl hit me like a slap of cold water—equal parts clarity and urgency. My kids were grown, crushing life, and didn’t need me every second anymore.
And honestly? I felt irrelevant.
After years of pouring everything into motherhood, leadership, my businesses, and everyone else, I looked around and thought, “What now?” But then I saw my daughters, my granddaughters—strong, brilliant, full of fire—and I knew: They need this.
They needed the hard-won wisdom I’d gathered from life’s battles, bruises, and triumphs. I saw the pressures, the noise, and the expectations the world heaps on women. And I realized that if I didn’t step up and pass on the tools I’ve sharpened over a lifetime, I’d be letting them—and every woman out there—down.
This book stopped being just a dream. It became a responsibility, a love letter to the women I love most, and a guide for every woman ready to stop settling and start living unapologetically. So, I grabbed my pen and got to work. Because the world doesn’t need women playing small—it needs women who aren’t afraid to step into everything they’re meant to be.
What will women learn from Go Ahead Girl?
This is a playbook for women who want to stop playing small and start owning their life. I’ll provide the steps and truths in a straight-up, no fluff way. I just ask that my readers follow them.
Here are some of the top lessons I share:
1. How to get unstuck and break the rules that don’t work for you
You’ll finally ditch the outdated beliefs, societal “shoulds,” and inherited BS holding you back.
This book will teach you how to stop living on autopilot and start asking, “What do I actually want?” You’ll learn how to let go of the guilt, own your truth, and give yourself permission to rewrite your story in any way that YOU want.
2. How to take back the steering wheel
If you read this book, be prepared to say “goodbye” to playing small.
You’ll learn to make bold decisions, set boundaries like a boss, and stop apologizing for taking up space. It’s about stepping into your power, building confidence, and realizing you don’t need perfect answers to move forward—you just need to start.
3. How to Live with Purpose and Leave Your Mark
No more settling for “fine.”
This book will help you figure out what really lights your fire and pushes you to create a life that aligns with your values. Whether it’s chasing dreams, building a legacy, or finding your “enough,” you’ll walk away ready to live fully, boldly, and on your own damn terms. It’s about time, don’t you think?
Go Ahead Girl is your no-nonsense guide to cutting through the noise, getting out of your own way, and building a life that feels as good as it looks. Let’s get you unstuck, unstoppable, and unapologetically YOU.
What did your process look like for this book?
I tried to write the book on my own for a couple of years. But let’s be real—life kept showing up like an uninvited guest, and my big dream of finishing it stayed stuck on the back burner.
Finally, I stopped kidding myself, hired a book coach, and let accountability and deadlines light a fire under me. I carved out a couple of hours in the mornings, 3-4 times a week, put my head down, and got to work. Five months later, boom—the first draft was done.
But let’s talk about the real challenge: finding the right tone when writing.
In person, I’m Type A, decisive, and no-nonsense. I didn’t want the book to come across as cold or, let’s be honest like I was being a bitch. That balancing act took time, and I rewrote parts more than once to strike the right chord.
I wanted readers to hear the voice of someone in their corner, pushing them forward—like a best friend who refuses to let you settle for less.
On top of that, I knew I had to get real about my own story.
I’ve read my fair share of motivational books, and the ones that stuck with me were always the ones where the author wasn’t afraid to get raw and vulnerable. I had to do the same—share the messy lessons I’ve learned, the stumbles, and the wins, even if it meant feeling exposed. This wasn’t about throwing shade or calling anyone out; it was about showing women that growth happens in the trenches, not on some polished, perfect mountaintop. If sharing my hard truths could help another woman feel seen and give her the tools to move forward, then every vulnerable moment was 100% worth it.
Aside from getting extremely vulnerable, did you have any other struggles to overcome while writing?
The hardest part about turning my expertise into a book? Oh, honey, let me tell you—it wasn’t just the logistics or the writing tone; it was wrestling with my own brain.
Imposter syndrome came in hot, whispering, “Who do you think you are?” and, “What if no one cares about what you have to say?” Even with years of experience and hard-won wisdom under my belt, there was always that little voice questioning if my stories and lessons would actually resonate with anyone else.
It’s one thing to believe in your message, but it’s another to put it out there and risk someone saying, “This isn’t relevant to me.” That fear was real, and it made me second-guess everything—my expertise, my stories, and even the way I structured the book. I’d catch myself thinking, “What if someone more qualified has already written this better?”
It was like trying to build a house while the foundation kept shaking under me.
But here’s the twist: I realized that if I let imposter syndrome win, I’d be robbing someone—maybe a lot of someones—of the guidance they might desperately need. So, I dug in, reminded myself why I started this and I pushed through.
The result? A book that’s raw, real, and packed with lessons I know will hit home for the women who are ready to hear them. Because here’s the truth: no one else can tell my story. And it just might be the spark someone else needs to start telling theirs.
And now for the fun stuff—what was your favorite part about writing a book for other women?
Hands down, it was seeing the ideas I’d been carrying in my head for years finally take shape on the page.
There’s something so satisfying about turning a messy mix of thoughts, stories, and lessons into something real—something women could hold in their hands and actually use.
But what really lit me up was the moments when I found my voice. When I stopped overthinking and started writing like me—direct, sassy, and no-nonsense, but still full of heart. That’s when the magic happened. Sharing stories, getting vulnerable, and realizing that the things I’d learned the hard way might make someone else’s journey a little easier? That made every early morning and every self-doubt along the way worth it.
It was like watching a dream finally come to life, one page at a time.
What’s next for you and the book?
Oh, we’re just getting started. I mean, big things are on the horizon. This book is the first step in building a movement. I want to put it in the hands of every woman who’s ready to stop settling, start living boldly, and take charge of her life. Think: speaking events, workshops, and real, face-to-face connections where we cut through the fluff and make things happen.
But you know I’m not stopping there.
My husband and I are writing a relationship book that’s all about the real, no-BS work of building a strong partnership.
I’m also working on sing-along books and songs for kids because, let’s be honest, building confidence, creativity, and joy in the next generation starts early.
And because I’m all in on helping others rise, I’m expanding my consulting work to help individuals, businesses, and organizations find their clarity and push their visions forward. Whether it’s leadership, strategy, or shaking off what’s holding them back, I’m ready to bring my no-nonsense approach to the table.
Let’s not forget Second Story Publishing. I want to grow it into a powerhouse platform to elevate other authors and creators—people with bold voices, important messages, and meaningful content. I’m here to promote good work, champion the arts, and help creatives get their stories into the world.
This book is just the spark. I’m building something bigger, bolder, and lasting—and trust me, I’m only getting started.
Interested in her story? Follow Charity on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or at Beautiful Step Consulting as she takes her message and her mission to the next level.
Is Charity’s story inspiring you to share your own? Learn more about the book writing support, editing services, book coaching, and more she received as a part of the Author Advantage Accelerator Elite Program? Schedule a consultation today or take the quiz above to find the right program for you and your book!
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