Valerie Bertinelli recently spoke at the 27th Central California Women’s Conference, where she inspired thousands of women to live a more positive life.

The 54-year-old actress was the keynote speaker at the event, and spoke to over 3,500 people. This year’s theme was “Nurture You,” and Valerie gave an empowering speech on how to do just that.

“Nurturing begins with a deep breath and a scary first step across the chasm of fear,” Bertinelli said. “Try to be more like (artist) Georgia O’Keeffe, scared but fearless when it comes to what you want to do and more importantly what you need to do.”

“It’s about having the guts to say to yourself, ‘I can do better and I’m going to figure out the ways to do it,'” the Hot in Cleveland star added. “Life is all about change. The trick is to change for the better in ways that make us feel better about ourselves and our lives.”

Valerie advised her fellow women to be kind to others and focus on building each other up instead of constantly tearing each other down.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. – Eleanor Roosevelt

— Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) September 18, 2014

“I think more women need to be nice to each other,” she continued. “We have bad examples on television of the Real Housewives of whatever town they’re in. I would never have those people as friends. I want someone who supports me and backs me up and loves me.”