How To Be a Guest on Good Morning America GMA3

“Are you famous?”

This is what four young women asked me over and over as I exited the stage doors of the Good Morning America studio this week.

My mind was still swirling after being a guest on GMA3 to talk about my book Rise Above the Story and the bitter cold and dancing lights of Time Square made the entire moment even more other worldly.

“No, I’m not famous,” I said with a sheepish smile.

They walked a few feet ahead of me before turning around. “Are you sure you’re not famous?”

Maybe it was my big, fake Snuffleupagus eyelashes applied just for the segment or that they saw me step out of GMA, or both, but these ladies were not giving up.

“I wrote a book and GMA3 invited me on to talk about it.”

“Wow! That’s so cool,” one of them gushed. “You’re an author! A real live author. Can we get our picture with you?”

And there I stood, batting my lashes, holding my book that I had in my backpack, and snapping pics with four lovely young women from Texas.

“We’re going to buy your book,” they promised as they set off for more sightseeing.

A few minutes later, I was sitting in The Red Flame diner (a real NYC diner) drinking bad coffee and spreading Smucker’s concord grape jelly on a piece of white toast while trying to recap what happened at GMA. I’d need my husband David to help me fill in the blanks.

The entire GMA experience was surreal—like an out-of-body experience. I remember the bright lights and all the smiling crew members. I remember the nice guy who helped me with my microphone and the guy who carried a chair on set just for me.

The hosts DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim were so gracious and welcoming. We chatted beforehand, which put me at ease—well as much as could be expected for someone about to speak on national television!

Then I remember a countdown and camera numbers being called out.

My mind went blank. Yikes! What was I going to say? Did I forget it all?

Then a voice in me whispered, Just look at DeMarco and Eva and relax. You’re just having a conversation about why you wrote this book. Just be yourself.

And then they asked me some questions and I answered them. I honestly couldn’t remember anything I said and had to watch it later to remember how the conversation went.

As I said, it was a surreal experience.

In case you missed it, here’s how it all went down:

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to share my message on national television. I may not be famous, but I can only hope that this appearance, and the others to come, will help me help others heal from past trauma and rise above their stories.

About Rise Above the Story 

What do we do when the pain of the past is too much to bear? When trauma and shame overwhelm us? When we feel empty and worthless despite our success and daily triumphs?

We rise above our story.

In her new book, Rise Above the Story, former lawyer and trauma survivor Karena Kilcoyne shares with raw vulnerability how she rose above her stories of abandonment, worthlessness, and shame. She’ll help you let go of your own past by embracing every beautiful, imperfect piece of yourself—no matter what your story looks like. She’ll teach you how to:

• Acknowledge your story. Identify the story that’s limiting your life.

• Release your story. Discover how your story took over your life by unearthing your repressed fear and shame.

• Rise above your story. Explore how your hardships can serve you and learn how to finally love yourself unconditionally.

Rising above your story will empower you to live the life of your dreams. Karena’s beautifully simple, yet powerful, formula offers emotional freedom and unfettered joy when you’re ready to embrace the vibrant, worthy, and lovable person you truly are.