Can You Fight? A critical question in business, politics, and life

Admittedly, I was dragging my feet on what to write about for this Wednesday’s Substack post. I usually love to write these midweek entries in real time—whatever I’m feeling, something I encountered recently, or some shit that just pissed me the hell off. I try not to force the topic because Wednesdays are like a living historical log of the lessons I’m acquiring in entrepreneurship, fund management, and personal growth. But this week? I couldn’t seem to land on a damn theme.

As I trudged through meetings and the mountain of responsibilities on my calendar, I hopped onto the final event of the day: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-RI) virtual assembly. Now, Senator Whitehouse isn’t my home-state Senator—I live in New York—but I’ll always show up to hear him speak. The man is brilliant on the Senate floor. Who else can talk for an hour, with no notes, and deliver a thoughtful, cohesive argument? Whitehouse can. Political engagement matters. Showing up to these events, even virtually, is a form of collective care for the country.

Eventually, he posed a question—one every politician must answer to earn the public’s trust:

Can you fight?

Can you fight for me?

How will you win the fight? What’s your plan of combat?

Writer’s block: shattered.

Whitehouse brought up how, love him or hate him, Trump projects that he can fight. “He’d even fight a fire hydrant,” he joked. And Kamala? She had momentum. But she didn’t have time. In 100 days, she pulled off one of the best campaigns I’ve ever seen—educating the public on critical issues and setting a foundation of excellence. But when it came down to optics, she didn’t have a long enough runway to fully showcase her fight.

But “Can you fight?” goes beyond politics. It’s a question of tenacity, grit, and having the backbone to take a hit and keep swinging.

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In Business, They’ll Try You.

Being a woman in business and finance is… difficult. Not impossible, but definitely not a stroll through Central Park with a $9 latte. You’re constantly proving your credibility in rooms where your male, or often just white, counterparts coast on arrogance, recycled buzzwords, and thin connections to flashy investment firms.

Meanwhile, we’re expected to explain our value, thesis, and market fit within 30 seconds while also smiling, keeping our hemlines appropriate, and dodging creeps.

Let’s talk about beauty for a second. All women are beautiful. But don’t think for a second that your beauty will save you in this industry. Most of the time, it adds another barrier. I’ve lost count of the men who acted interested in my ideas only to reveal they had other interests. Or the ones who interrupt me during a pitch to ask me out—at a work event.

A.) This is a professional environment.
B.) What the actual fuck?

We’re taught to be agreeable. Diplomatic. Elegant. And don’t get me wrong—I love femininity. People often use words like elegant, gracious, poised to describe me. I take pride in it.

But this is your permission slip to be a bitch. Sometimes, you have to be.

I don’t mean loud for the sake of being loud. I mean owning your power. Putting teeth into your statements and venom in your words when needed. The world doesn’t need more women who play nice with cowards. It needs more Beth Duttons—women who show up, say what they mean, and dare anyone to test their resolve.

Beth Dutton behavior is welcomed here. Keep your lipstick on, but sharpen your tongue.

“I’ve made two bad decisions in life based on fear, and they cost me everything.” — Beth Dutton, Yellowstone

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Choose Better Relationships.

People love to preach that business is “relationship-driven.” That “references matter.” Sure. But what kind of relationships are you cultivating?

Because I’d rather be referenced by someone whose excellence is built on authenticity and talent—not a spineless yes-man with generational wealth and zero moral compass.

Let them keep their club of cowards. My circle may be smaller, but it’s full of conviction. And when you build with integrity, you unlock better doors—aligned, powerful, long-term doors.

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In Life, Too—You Gotta Fight.

This question—Can you fight?—should live in every corner of your life. It’s a call to build spiritual endurance. To stand for something when the ground feels unsteady. To be your own advocate when no one else shows up. To protect your dreams, your story, your dignity.

Can you fight for your community?
For your values?
For your healing?

Because this life will test you. People will count on your silence, your softness, your willingness to back down.

But I’m telling you now: Don’t.
Speak. Push back. Build. Rebel. Rest. Then repeat.
Because if you don’t fight for yourself, no one else will know how.

So the next time someone asks if you’re capable, if you’re “serious,” if you have what it takes—look them dead in the eye and say:

Try me. I’ve been ready.

Written by:

Nina Orm

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