Stories are incredibly powerful – their ability to teach, inspire, and create understanding is why we are so in love with storytelling. Most stories have a defining moment and so we’ve asked some of the most talented, insightful folks across a broad range of industries and markets to tell us about a defining moment in their story.

Lindsey Swischuk

Absolutely, there was a defining moment in my career that truly changed everything for me. After spending years working in a partnership in the esthetics industry, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a turning point that forced me to reassess my life and priorities. Going through treatment was challenging, but it also empowered me in unexpected ways. I realized how important it was to take control of my life and career. Once I was through that journey, I decided to open my own med spa practice. It felt like the perfect way to channel my experience and passion into something meaningful. That leap not only transformed my career but also helped me connect with clients in a deeper, more impactful way. Read more>>

Alexandra Silver-fagan

One of the most defining moments in my professional career occurred when I was signed as a master trainer with Nike at just 23. At the time, I had been teaching group fitness classes in NYC for under a year and had participated in three bikini competitions, which landed me a spot on the Bodybuilding.com Spokesmodel roster. Being chosen by one of the largest fitness brands in the world was pivotal not only because it recognized my potential, but it also provided a platform for me to step into my power. Interestingly, this moment taught me about the double-edged sword of external validation. I believed that I needed others to acknowledge my worth to feel powerful. However, the real challenge came in 2020 when, amid a difficult breakup and the pandemic, my Nike contract was paused, and I left my full-time teaching job. Suddenly stripped of my titles and accolades, I found myself in a dark place, forced to confront who I was at my core. Read more>>

Dr. Ashley Tolleson

A defining moment in my career as a mental health therapist was the opportunity to present and train fellow therapists and psychologists through The Knowledge Tree, a continuing education platform for mental health professionals. This experience was particularly meaningful because it built upon the foundation I developed during my doctoral program, where I regularly presented at conferences and taught graduate-level counseling classes. When I began presenting for The Knowledge Tree, it felt like a natural extension of the work I had already been doing, but with a new layer of impact. This platform allowed me to share my knowledge with other professionals who were eager to grow in their careers and improve their skills. The experience was fulfilling because it not only deepened my connection to the mental health community, but also reinforced the value of continuous education and professional development. Read more>>

Shakethia ‘queen’ Robertson

I launched Sacred Spaces Yoga back in February 2020, with big dreams for what it could become. I envisioned a vibrant weekly class schedule and partnerships with Christian organizations to provide yoga for their staff and congregations. I planned and promoted my launch event with the excitement to finally introduce Sacred Spaces Yoga to the world (or at least to the people of Houston). Then, out of nowhere, the world shut down. Initially, I didn’t even consider offering online or virtual classes. I was laser focused on the launch event, so when the pandemic forced me to cancel, I was at a loss. Like most yoga teachers, I tried offering virtual classes through Zoom and Facebook Live, but that didn’t last long. Uncertain about the future of Sacred Spaces Yoga, I didn’t give up. Instead of throwing in the towel, I took it as an opportunity to expand my knowledge. I dove into researching online offerings for wellness businesses as well as enrolling in various yoga training programs to earn certifications. Read more>>

Betsy Grunch

Like many young girls, I looked up to my mom and wanted to be just like her when I grew up. She was blazing a trail, working as a police officer in the 90s, a male-dominated field (it still is), as well as being a member of their dive team. She was the definition of a badass, and even at such a young age I knew she was special. Two weeks before I was going to start high school, I remember being woken up in the middle of the night. Mom was at work and her patrol car had been shot at and ran off the road where it struck a tree. I vividly remember the neurosurgeon told us she would never walk again. She had broken her neck and was quadriplegic at the young age of 34. As our family transitioned into a new normal, I became fueled with the desire to become a neurosurgeon. I wanted to help people that would suffer such tragic injuries as my mother did. The goal of becoming a neurosurgeon kept me focused and motivated me to do well in school and to find opportunities to hone my skills. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Georgia and then went on to the Medical College of Georgia. Next, I matched into neurological surgery at Duke, where I trained until 2013. After my training, I came back to my hometown where I joined the same practice that my mom’s neurosurgeon was at. It has truly been a full circle journey for me. Read more>>

Tanya Mitra

For over 15 years, I worked in luxury fashion in NYC, traveling the world – which was my dream growing up. But in the last 5 or so years before I left the industry, I was evolving, becoming a different version of myself, while the industry was also changing, and becoming, in my eyes – even more superficial. It didn’t align for me anymore. So when I was fired from my job as a VP in 2018, and my ex-husband walked out of the house 6 weeks later, unannounced, I saw it as a blessing and an opportunity to finally pursue what had been calling me. Through my own coaches & healers, I found the world of coaching and wellness in a way that felt like coming home to myself. It was as if everything I had experienced—the highs and the lows, the travels and the heartbreak—had prepared me for this shift. I knew that my true passion was helping others navigate the complex dynamics of relationships and personal growth. The work I did in fashion taught me a lot about people, communication, and culture, but over time, it became unfulfilling. Coaching allowed me to dive deep into what really matters—helping people heal, connect, and thrive in their relationship with themselves, and in their romantic relationship. That moment of being fired and left behind was a catalyst for my rebirth, pushing me to step into a new career that aligned with my evolving purpose and values. I turned the pain into power, using my personal story to inspire and guide others toward their own transformations. Read more>>

Chauncy Haney

One of the biggest moment in my Career was the actually the end of my career, spring of 2022 i played professional football for the last time. I was cut from the Birmingham Stallions, at the time i hadn’t known that, that would be the last time i’ll suit up again. confident i go home in preparation to receive a phone call to return either ot that team or another. As i waited, waited & waited there was no call. Thankfully for an ” Affair” i had on football when i haven’t received a call i moved on pretty quickly. i had just finished my RYT-200 certification to lead Yoga. with that i jumped immediately into teach at one of the biggest studios in charlotte nc. the end of one career was the beginning of another. Read more>>

Amber Creamer

I’m a therapist who wants to work myself out of a job. That required me to work differently and intentionally. I had to sit with myself and realize that there are flaws within our mental health system that keep us stuck. I know how easy it can be to fall into the routine of doing just enough to make ourselves feel better, but not actually make substantial progress towards our goals. I was over the “band-aid” approach to wellness. In order for me to be the therapist I wanted to be, it required me to shift the way that I provide therapy. I wanted to intentionally create a space for my clients that would allow the beauty of therapy to unfold in a far more powerful way. This led to providing accelerated therapy with sessions happening over six weeks to help women rapidly transform their lives. Making this change was possible only because I was able to show up for myself and my business. My experience has shown me when you step outside the box and run your business to provide the best service, not based on what everyone else is doing, it really allows you to shine and meet the unique needs of people you serve. Read more>>

Niomi Nicci

Readers approached me at a book festival and asked what the most important factor in writing my book was, especially since I had been in clinical research for more than twenty years. That moment-defining change happened while I worked in a microbiology laboratory for almost a decade. After ignoring the pain in one of my eyes for days, my vision started to blur and become hazy, then went completely red. A medical referral to a specialist and blood tests confirmed I was suffering from an autoimmune condition. After several months of treatment with medication that at times made me feel unwell, I did not want to spend my life treating the symptoms. I wanted to address the root cause and started researching natural ways to address the health issues I was having. That was the defining moment for me to transition into wellness and, more importantly, share the spiritual journey I had been on for more than twenty years, all of which culminated in writing my first award-winning book, Journey of a Radiant Heart. Read more>>

Chandler Scull

At 19 years old, I was traveling solo through Central America and Africa for three months. Despite being a good student at a private school in Lancaster, PA, I found myself rather lost after high school graduation. My peers and I studied hard since before we were even teenagers to get into the most competitive schools in the country. For me, I got into my dream school, McGill University in Montreal, Canada, but it just didn’t feel right. So, as the rest of my peers embarked on their ivy league journeys, I took some time trying to figure out who I was and where this feeling of discontent came from within myself. Ultimately, that lead me on my first of several solo travel journeys throughout the world. I stayed in youth hostels and volunteered with local organizations throughout Central America and several African countries (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa).  Read more>>

Lauren Schutz

A year and a half ago, I was feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and knew in my bones that I was not living the life I was meant to be living. I was overworked, underpaid, and had spent so long ignoring my needs that I finally looked around and didn’t even know what I wanted anymore or recognize the life I had built for myself! I knew something had to give, so to challenge myself, I flew cross-country to California for a 7 day solo-trip in order to remove the outside distractions and reconnect with who I was at my core. After a few days, all of that alone time made me realize that I had been unconsciously (yet purposely) avoiding this downtime and time alone for years in order to avoid vulnerability; and by avoiding vulnerability, I was also avoiding authenticity in my life. I realized, “It’s no wonder I hate my life: it’s completely devoid of authenticity and (therefore) passion!” It hit me like a ton of bricks that at 27 years old I had been a passenger in the plans for my life rather than an active participant, and that if I was going to turn things around, I’d have to do some serious soul-searching and be vulnerable and honest enough with myself to learn what I truly did and did not want out of my life.  Read more>>

Mark Morningstar

Even early in my career, I have always maintained a distinct rehabilitative focus in my chiropractic practice. This involves providing patients with the tools they need to help them manage and resolved their musculoskeletal problems without repeatedly requiring my assistance. This is akin to telling patients to brush and floss their teeth every day so that they don’t have to go back to the dentist every week and have the dentist do it for them. However, I quickly found early on that patients tended to be very non-compliant with my home exercise recommendations. This rapidly became very frustrating for me, to the point that I almost quit my practice. But along the way, fate provided an alternative. I had patients start bringing in their children to see my who had been very recently diagnosed with scoliosis. Since there are no orthopedic surgeons in my area that see scoliosis patients, my patients brought their children in to see me in the hopes that I could help. Interestingly, although the parents themselves were very non-compliant, they made sure their children did everything I asked of them at home. Because of this, the results were very eye-opening, and word quickly spread. Within 6 months I had entirely converted my practice over from a general chiropractic practice to a dedicated scoliosis exclusive clinic. I haven’t looked back since.  Read more>>

Emily Holbrook

From a very young age I knew I wanted to be in the medical field to use my gift of compassion. I went from being a nursing assistant to a nurse, and then ultimately to a nurse practitioner. During Covid, I worked as a hospice/palliative nurse practitioner. This position was so unique and I treasured working with my community through this hard time. I decided to step back from this path due to the emotional toll it took on me. Little did I know that one job would turn into opening a business with my best friend, Caitlin, that I have known for 20 plus years. My journey into aesthetics was sparked by my own experiences as a patient. I recognized a gap in education and transparency within this industry, so I decided to immerse myself in the field, aiming to provide a different kind of service—one that prioritizes natural results and clear communication. Caitlin, coming from a background including art, design, accounting and business, had previously never considered being in the medical field. But when I mentioned my desire to provide a different type of med spa experience it was something she knew she wanted to be a part of. Caitlin thought that with my medical experience and her business background that we could create a successful business that brings compassion and honesty to the aesthetic industry. So together we launched Honaest with the goal of empowering clients not just in appearance, but in self-confidence and self-love.  Read more>>