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.
Jenifer Vanderhorst
There are so many moments that stand out to me when I reflect on my journey through makeup artistry and esthetics to appreciate and value where I am now. For as long as I could remember I have been attracted to the beauty industry and wanting to beautify myself and others. I use to sit and attentively watch Charleston Cosmetology Institute commercials every time they came on television. I remember walking past our old school box tv, you know the ones that have the booty in the back, and I’d stop in my tracks just to watch the CCI commercials. Read more>>
Michelle Lillicrap
I was working as an occupational therapist for 15 years in in-patient adult rehabilitation and home health. While I loved the holistic nature of occupational therapy (we help get people back to the activities of daily living (occupations) that matter most after illness or injury), I felt burnt out in a system that prioritizes productivity and reimbursement. Read more>>
Monique Travis
In 2019, I decided to quit my full-time job as I had been experiencing a hostile work environment over a long period of time. I was in graduate school as well at the time and between the two, felt it was best to let my job go. It definitely was a transitional phase in my life, but I created a routine for myself everyday to make sure that I was active and maintained discipline in my life. Read more>>
Erin Slutsky
I am known for helping women feel seen, heard, and understood. I remind them they are not alone and they belong. They know I am a trusted advisor and will be there for them. I learned from a young age how to be there in times of need or lack of support. I learned how to fill the void and step in when needed. I was responsible for making sure my younger sister was taken care of. I got her to school, ensured she had clean clothes, and even took her to get her driver’s license. Read more>>
Jessie Reino
In 2019 I was working part-time at a local accounting firm. I enjoyed my coworkers but the job was not really fulfilling. It was extra money and it provided me flexibility while I was completing my 200 hour yoga teacher training. Read more>>
Alona Orofino
I was 16 years old when my relationship with food went south. By age 18, I had diagnosable Anorexia Nervosa. Read more>>
Heather Nickelson
From the time I discovered occupational therapy, I was smitten with everything I know OTs could do. Our scope is so wide and amazing – and even though no one understands OT quite like OTs do…. I knew it was such a special field to specialize in. Read more>>
Danielle McCamey
This day is one that I will never forget. I was in high school at the time and was on the quest to find out the best ways to get to college. I was the first in my family to go, so I had to lean on others and decided to make an appointment with my guidance counselor. I figured she would be the best resource given her expertise in being in her position. But little did I know that would be so far away from the truth. Read more>>
Dr. Kara Montz
Yes, there definitely was. In my first years after graduating, I had a very challenging time trying to decide what I wanted my focus to be. I felt like everyone around me knew, but one just wasn’t clicking for me. Every time I felt that I found one, I quickly realized it wasn’t something that I could sustainably do for the duration of my career. Read more>>
Jules Annen
Why is my hair falling out? What is the root cause of my cystic acne? Why do I have frequent migraines? Read more>>
Laura Bedoya
Im a Colombian architect that moved to the states in 2012, since then I’ve been working as a full time architect in different forms through NJ and NYC. In 2016 I decided to become a personal trainer and fitness coach as this has always been my passion. Worked in several gyms and developed an online bussiness where I motivate and help people reach their goals all over the world. Read more>>
Paige Bennett
Throughout high school, psychiatry was always an interest of mine. I knew many people in my life who struggled, including family members, classmates, and friends, with mental illness. Many of them had not received the care from health care providers that they needed to live the life that they deserved. I knew I wanted to be a health care provider to bridge this gap and provide quality care. My first step towards this goal was to become a psychiatric nurse. Read more>>
Jenny Burton
The most defining moment of my career so far has been starting my side hustle during the pandemic and turning it into a brick and mortar business, EnerBalance Holistic Healing Wellness Center. It’s been a wild ride to say the least but let me take you back to how it all transpired. Read more>>
Endora Todd
I had a successful career in higher education at the age of 34. I thought everything was going well. One night I had a dream of me in a field and it was very overcasted-a strom was coming. As the wind blew, I looked to my left and there was a small abandoned church in the middle of the corn field. I ran toward the church for shelter. As I entered it lit up and all these people that I felt like I knew started to greet me. My childhood pastor was on the pulpit and he told me to come up. Read more>>
Serene Grace
I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner was not holding myself back from achieving anything. It was about believing in myself and trusting my potential to help people. I had so much to offer to the world. God was preparing me to transition from one career that no longer served my higher purpose to another one that aligned with my spiritual principles and opportunities for me in March 2020. During the pandemic, I just had to throw in the towel and say to God, “Let’s just do it.” Read more>>
Tamauri Moné
I’ve had a few moments over the past few years, specifically while in college, that changed the trajectory of my career goals and what I want in life. I’ve always loved science and had strong interest in spirituality and holistic health. I always believed that healing the mind, body, and spirit together leads to a happier life, of course with the help of science. Therefore, I tried to incorporate it in everything that I did while in college. Read more>>
Laura Fessenden
I obtained my yoga therapy certification in 2021 through Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. My intention for this training was to grow my yoga network, teach yoga and hold yoga therapy sessions in my free time. What I didn’t realize was that everything I had learned in my 600 hour training would be needed to navigate through my own challenges. Read more>>
Amy Osborne
Like many of my peers, I got a “traditional” job as a physical therapist in an outpatient clinic upon graduation. I saw and treated a high volume of patients, and while I loved my job, I found myself conforming my treatments to a model that I knew wasn’t effective because we needed insurance to reimburse for the visits. Typically, most insurance plans will cover several physical therapy sessions each year, but due to their reimbursement rates clinics tend to shorten sessions in order to ensure that their practices are profitable. Read more>>