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.

Lora Cantele, RA

I was invited to work as an Aromatherapy practitioner as part of a pilot program in a Children’s home for those with life-limiting illnesses. The children in the program were non-verbal and suffered from brain injuries at birth, muscular dystrophy and other conditions requiring round the clock care. The program ran for 16 months, however I joined two months into the existing program. This was good as I could see the difference in the children’s’ quality of life before and after Aromatherapy interventions were incorporated into the study. Read more>>

Jennifer Buljan

One defining moment for me occurred just about a year ago. I had established a large community group where I offered sound baths on a weekly basis. I was also offering Sound Meditation classes at the JW Marriott in Scottsdale 4 days a week, i had really felt I was getting established and known within my community for Sound Healing work however I was going through a really emotionally difficult time in my life. Read more>>

Rathna Nuti

To this day, I vividly remember entering into my family medicine residency and hearing the overwhelming praises of one of the graduating residents who was going to be entering into a sports medicine fellowship out in San Diego. Everyone was talking about how she was the rock star of the program. My thought process at that time was nothing but admiration and how I could ever fill her big shoes. I mustered up the courage to speak with her and learned about all the hard work and dedication she put into this success. She was a very humble lady who acknowledged all her mentors who lifted her up in her career decision and encouraged me to pursue this field. Read more>>

Ali McGregor

My early twenties were filled with a good amount of anxiety. I put immense amounts of pressure on myself to perform and be *perfect* which lead to constantly worrying about being or doing enough, being liked by everyone, wanting to feel seen and loved so desperately I would accept it from anyone which ultimately left me feeling disappointed and upset at myself. It wasn’t until a colleague invited me to a hot yoga class she was leading, after months of convincing, I finally agreed to go. Unsure of what I was getting myself into — I was most excited to sweat and get an incredible workout in. Read more>>

Mariah Jackson

I believe the most defining moment in my career as a Reiki practitioner would be the day my sister passed away. Needless to say, I was devastated. My world shifted that day and I remember feeling the shift before I even received the call. I was on my way to drop my daughter off at school and we both admired how weird yet, beautiful the clouds were. It looked like a portal in the sky but the feeling that washed over me was indescribable. The day was gloomy and dark but the clouds brought me peace. It was like my sister sent me a special goodbye before she chose to be with God. Read more>>

Michael McCright

I spent 29 years in electronics. I begin as an Electronics Tech in the U.S. Navy. I spent 7 years on active duty and left as an E6. (Electronics Technician 1st Class. Over the next 22 years I worked my way from Elect. Tech. to R & D Supervisor, to Manufacturing Manager and then to V.P. of Customer Relations. I was doing quite well money wise, but not really happy with my career. My defining moment was having a disagreement, falling out, with the General Manager of the company I was working for and ended up being fired. This led me to the search for a new endeavor. Read more>>

Jessica Brown

Yes, a defining moment in my career took place after after a chain of personal unfortunate experiences. I realized in my corporate driven mad dash to being successful that it could not prepare for life’s epps and waves. Corporate life and healthy personal life couldn’t coexist. A lot of things happened during this shift that were beyond my control and as the matriarch of a large black open family remaining ahead, strong and steadfast is an expectation. We have to be the change. Read more>>

Dallisa Hocking

I’ve been intuitive for as long as I can recall. I grew up in a family where we openly discussed matters of the unseen: ghosts, bumps in the night, psychic messages and the magic of the universe. My grandma Ellie would sit me down as a child and tell me about the spirits she had seen the night before, and which “dead” friend or relative had come to pay her a visit. I was constantly mesmerized and always sat on the edge of my seat as she told me her stories. Read more>>

Kimberly Johnson

A woman walked into my Southern California office with a hat, three layers of clothing and sunglasses. She explained that she was always cold, and that her friends often joke that she was in cognito. The reason she came to me was that after giving birth to her 3rd child, she felt extraordinarily sensitive, almost agoraphobic, and didn’t want her husband anywhere near her, but she had no idea why. She came to me for pelvic floor work postbirth. Read more>>

Loretta Jones

I went back to school at the young age of 50. I was a teacher and decided to do an about face and do something totally different. It was a scary, difficult process but I am so happy now that I made the decision to refresh my education. Read more>>

Justice Naccarato

I found my way into this position through experience with my personal health and professionally in the healthcare field. In my twenties, I was battling quite a few health issues including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and chronic migraines and nausea. It started with an absence of my period, I was experiencing migraines 5-6 times a week, and I began to gain weight uncontrollably. Then my period started and didn’t stop for 3 years. I tried everything I could or knew that I could at the time. Read more>>

Mateja Petje

I have always been passionate about helping others. I was born in Slovenia where I obtained my BS in English and education and I moved to Florida in 1997. While being engaged in my own therapy, I decided to become a therapist myself. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise, as it gave me meaning and purpose after healing from my own trauma. The defining moment was when I realized that my husband was just another abusive and narcissistic man. This was only being in the US for a month. I hit my bottom and realized that I need to change myself and learn how to love myself and let go of feeling like a victim of my past. Read more>>