Great schools and training programs offer learning opportunities that go far beyond the syllabus. We asked some amazing folks from the community to share stories from their educational journey with us.

Danielle (Dan) Piñon

Mmm okay so to set the scene, I was one of those humans who went straight from college to my masters program then to a doctorate program, which I ended up leaving after experiencing profound burnout while navigating unrealized disabilities. Oh boy, school was really tough for me. I dont think most folks, especially first generation students, are properly prepared/informed of the difficult path that academic programs require. Shortly after leaving my doctorate program, I was co-facilitating an affinity group for latine students, undergraduate and graduate alike. In that space, I heard of the intimate experiences of latine students across programs, age groups, gender expressions, etc. Read more>>

Brook Barney

My educational and professional journey has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what has shaped my unique approach to coaching today.

I began my career path by studying business and computer networking at a young age, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree and spending over 15 years in the business world. My roles focused on brand, product, and marketing development and management—work that sharpened my strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills. But over time, I felt a pull toward something more aligned with my lifelong passion: health and wellness. Read more>>

Jacob Bahbah

After high school, I became an entrepreneur and spent over a decade building and successfully running an international business. While it was financially and professionally rewarding, I eventually realized that I wasn’t fulfilled on a personal level—I wanted to make a more direct impact on people’s health and well-being. Read more>>