Social media can be a highlight reel, a place for sharing achievements and celebrating milestones. But when someone uses your struggles as fuel for their own success narrative, it stings in a way that lingers far beyond the likes and comments. For Casey Martin, the pain of seeing her failures laid bare on her ex-boyfriend’s social media wasn’t just embarrassing—it was a wake-up call about boundaries, self-worth, and the real meaning of success.
The Relationship and the Rivalry
Casey and Josh met in a business management seminar during their junior year at Ohio State. Their chemistry was immediate, and their drive to succeed made them a power couple on campus. Study sessions became date nights, and they often dreamed about launching a startup together.
But as graduation approached, cracks appeared. Josh was competitive, always aiming to be a step ahead—while Casey valued collaboration and learning from her setbacks. After a series of tense arguments about jobs and futures, they broke up.
They both moved on, but remained connected through mutual friends and, of course, social media.
The Post That Started It All
One Friday, Casey’s phone buzzed with notifications. Friends were tagging her in the comments under Josh’s latest LinkedIn post. She clicked, expecting another humblebrag about his new tech job.
Instead, she found a long post about “the importance of perseverance”—complete with a story about how he’d “overcome failed business ventures and unreliable partners.” He recounted a project they’d started together in college that hadn’t panned out, describing it as “a disaster” and hinting that his former teammate (never named, but obvious to anyone who knew them) “lacked vision and commitment.”
He even attached photos of old pitch decks—ones Casey had helped create—and screenshots from late-night email exchanges about deadlines she missed when she was sick.
The comments poured in: “Way to rise above, Josh!” “Your story is so inspiring!” Not a single person questioned the version of events, or wondered about the teammate on the other side of the story.
Hurt, Anger, and Reflection
Casey felt sick. She messaged Josh, demanding he take down the post or at least remove the personal details. His reply was unapologetic: “I didn’t use your name. I’m just telling my truth. People love a comeback story.”
Casey stewed for days, vacillating between rage and self-doubt. Was she really the failure he painted her as? Did anyone care about her side?
Her roommate, Julia, was blunt. “This isn’t about you—it’s about his ego. Real success doesn’t come from tearing others down.”
Setting Boundaries and Speaking Up
After much thought, Casey decided not to engage in public mudslinging. Instead, she wrote her own post, sharing the lessons she’d learned from failed ventures: the importance of teamwork, resilience, and grace. She acknowledged the project’s failure—but highlighted how it helped her grow, and that no true success is built on bitterness.
She also updated her privacy settings, limiting who could see her old projects, and made it clear to mutual friends she wouldn’t be defined by someone else’s narrative.
Word got around, and Casey received messages of support from people who’d worked with her in the past. “I always admired your leadership,” one wrote. Another said, “You inspired me to keep trying after setbacks.”
Moving Forward
As months passed, Josh’s post faded into the social media void. Casey focused on her own career, eventually landing a job where her collaborative spirit was valued. She started mentoring younger women, sharing her real stories—failures and all.
The sting of Josh’s betrayal never disappeared completely, but it no longer controlled her. She realized that success isn’t just about achievement; it’s about integrity, kindness, and lifting others up, not stepping on them to climb higher.
Choosing Your Own Story
In time, Casey found power in choosing her own narrative, both online and off. She learned to trust her version of events, and to surround herself with people who celebrated every part of her journey.
Final Thought:
Don’t let anyone else’s story become your truth. The real measure of success is how you handle setbacks—and how you treat others along the way.
