When Fear Lasts Seconds and Regret Lasts Forever: Lessons from a Leader in Women’s Health

What one woman’s leap into discomfort taught us about courage, career, and claiming your power.

At some point in every woman’s journey, there’s a moment that feels a little like standing at the edge of a cliff.

Your heart is racing. Your notebook is full of pros and cons. Your mind is spiraling through every possible outcome—most of them terrifying. And somewhere deep down, you know: the only way forward is to jump.

For Ikram Guerd, that moment happened quite literally—standing in South Africa, peering over one of the highest bungee jumping bridges in the world. She hadn’t planned to take the leap that day. But when she saw someone pass by wearing a shirt that read “Fear lasts seconds, but regret lasts forever,” something shifted.

She jumped. And she’s been leaping into the unknown ever since.

Today, Ikram is the Chief Marketing Officer and U.S. General Manager at Aspivix, a cutting-edge FemTech company revolutionizing gynecological care. She’s also a role model and a former board member at Inspiring Girls USA, a nonprofit that gives young girls access to diverse role models across industries. But her story isn’t just one of titles—it’s one of courage, conviction, and creating impact in a space that’s been underserved for too long.

She’s not just marketing a product. She’s rewriting the narrative.

Ikram’s work is grounded in a painful truth: for far too long, women have been dismissed in healthcare.

From outdated gynecological instruments—like the tenaculum, a tool originally used in the Civil War to extract bullets from soldiers—to the fact that women weren’t even included in clinical trials until 30 years ago, the systemic gaps in women’s health are staggering.

And yet, for many women, the pain is still dismissed. Still normalized. Still shrugged off.

That’s where Ikram comes in.

Through storytelling, advocacy, and bold marketing, she’s helping women see the systems that were never built for us—and giving them the tools and knowledge to demand better.

She’s amplifying the voices of women who share their painful IUD insertion stories online. She’s helping create new pathways for pain management. And she’s showing us that innovation in women’s health isn’t just possible—it’s much-needed and long overdue.

“At the end of the day, it’s your health. It’s your body. If you don’t know what’s happening to you, you can’t advocate for yourself.”

Ikram’s message is clear: education is power. And women deserve care that doesn’t come with unnecessary pain or silence.

Visibility is not vanity. It’s leadership.

Despite two decades of experience across Europe and the U.S., Ikram didn’t always feel comfortable talking about her achievements. Raised in France, she was taught that success should be quiet—modesty over visibility. But her move to the U.S. sparked another shift in mindset.

She realized that visibility isn’t about ego. It’s about impact.

“It’s not about bragging. It’s about saying: I did it, and so can you.”

For any woman who’s ever been told to wait her turn, stay humble, or not “make it about herself”—this is your permission slip. Your story matters. Your voice matters. And your willingness to be seen might be exactly what someone else needs to see their own potential more clearly.

Sometimes, the scariest choice is the right one.

Whether she’s moving across the world, shifting from big pharma to startup life, or advocating for healthcare reform, Ikram’s path hasn’t been linear—or easy. But it’s been hers. And it’s been brave.

“Especially as women, we tend to overthink. We want to prepare for every possible scenario. But sometimes, you just have to trust your gut and go.”

It doesn’t mean it’s not scary. It just means the regret of not trying is scarier.

So, what’s the leap you’ve been avoiding?

Maybe it’s speaking up in a meeting. Or applying for the job you think you’re not ready for. Maybe it’s changing doctors—or industries—or cities. Whatever it is, Ikram’s story reminds us that we are allowed to be bold. To feel the fear and still go for it.

Because fear lasts seconds. But regret? That sticks around.

And we’re not here for that.

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🎧 Hear Ikram's full interview on the Wednesday Women podcast: The Ripple

💡 Want to connect with Ikram or learn more about her work at Aspivix and Inspiring Girls USA? Follow her on LinkedIn for more bold, purpose-driven insights on women’s health and leadership.

💜 Want to connect and grow with women like Ikram?  Consider becoming a Member of Wednesday Women.