Every once in a while, something happens that really matters. Something that will define at least the next chapter of your journey – perhaps it’s a conversation with a client, a meeting with a visionary or a major event in your personal life. Below, you’ll find some very insightful folks sharing defining moments from their journeys.

David Brendel

The defining moment of my career occurred nearly 25 years ago during my medical training, when I worked with a patient whose stroke had left him with virtually no facial expression or verbal output. His lesion, as seen on an MRI, had caused the devastating syndrome he now displayed (abulia). Clinical neuroscience predicted exactly what symptoms a stroke in this brain region would cause. Read more>>

Alex Scot

The first time I went viral was a defining moment for sure. Over 6million views & I had a LOT of haters come at me. I had to get way out of my comfort zone & own who I am & what I do on a whole new level, which meant more healing needed to take place within me to expand my capacity for visibility. So I got to work on this within myself & with my support system, & low & behold an interview with DailyMail TV was offered to me! Read more>>

 

Lyndy Barnard

I’m a therapist in a bigger body. Read more>>

Tia Rouse.

A defining moment in my professional career definitely stems from my own personal health. I worked as a women’s health nurse and scribe with one of the most amazing gynecologists in the Midwest, and he was also my physician before I became his nurse. I worked side by side with him for almost 5 years, and struggled with my own issues dealing with fibroids for over 9 years. Eventually I had to make the decision to keep fighting, or have a hysterectomy, and I decided to proceed with the surgery. Read more>>

Ashleigh Anderson

My defining moment would have to be when I realized I was going to be a full-time entrepreneur. I had just completed my first year as a high school teacher (during Covid) and was struggling in my PhD program. I couldn’t balance my power lifting training time with class time and everything was so overwhelming, I felt like I had to choose. And I did. I chose Ashlete! I decided it was time to pause my academic career and follow my passion for fitness. If it’s for me, it’ll be back. It’s been an amazing, unexpected and wild ride but I don’t regret my decision. I wish I made it sooner. Read more>>

Douglas Phillips

I have spent a considerable portion of my career in the battlefield providing care to the injured. Being able to be there for another’s worst day has be the most rewarding part of my career. Read more>>

Jackie Gill

I have been in the personal training industry for about 14 years now, and there have been multiple defining moments along the way, that have led me to where I am now. I, personally, feel like my most recent defining moment happened toward the beginning of Covid, around March 2020, and it happened right at the conjunction of a few major things happening in my life. Read more>>

Renair Amin

My life has been filled with many defining moments but the most recent has been my challenges with my health. Early on, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and inflammatory arthritis. Over the years, I have been able to manage it since my initial diagnosis which was only detectable after not being able to walk. In July 2021, I won Ms. Exquisite Full-Figured U.S.A. At-Large. Within a week of the pageant, I was having difficulties with walking. Read more>>

Terasha Beavers-Donaldson

Honestly, I have a few defining moments but this one is one that has a very transformative effect on why I am where I am today. I was working a full time job as a visual at the time, a wife a mother and running my lash studio with 5 employees. To just take that big leap of faith and leave my job during covid, to where I felt like I had the security I needed in life and I was comfortable where I was. To also have my husband as one of my biggest supporters and encouraging me. Read more>>

Ronnie Robinette

My whole life has been a series of connect the dots. I didn’t know in each moment that my decisions were actually driving me to where I am now but I can look back and connect each event to the next. Read more>>

Averey Adams

I moved to Nashville, TN from Flint Michigan in 2012 to attend Fisk University. I wanted to become an Obstetrician Gynecologist and majored in Chemistry. Read more>>

Kate McKearn.

During my last year as a teacher, I taught fifth grade English Language Arts at a turnaround school in St. Louis. Jayla was one of my students, and initially she was easily frustrated by reading and didn’t show much interest. With time, she became immersed in the historical fiction we read in class, especially the book “Esperanza Rising,” which is about a young girl navigating a number of barriers and finding her way in the world. Jayla fell in love with reading through this book and it was a joy to see that transformation. Read more>>

Michelle Davey

1999 was the year that changed my life. It was a typical morning where I arrived at the airport and headed to my assigned flight. I love traveling and interacting with people so my career as a flight attendant made sense. However, after a couple of years I started feeling like there was something else I should be doing but I didn’t know what that something else was. Well, life has a way of re-routing you which is exactly what happened when I was layed off. Read more>>

Skyler Cline

Makeup and skin care have been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom used to sell makeup and always taught me how important skin care is. I have loved doing makeup for as long as I can remember. I always did my friends hair and makeup. After covid hit I was truly lost with what I wanted to do with my life and career so I decided mentor with a friend of mine who was a Makeup artist and decided to follow my passion of makeup. Read more>>