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.

Atasiea Kenneth Ferguson

During a right of passage ceremony called a Vision Quest, I had a near death experience that was averted by listening to my intuition. During that time I was told very clearly by benevolent spirit guides to move back to LA to begin practicing the Healing Arts professionally, and let go of my pursuit of the performing arts- mainly acting as my primary vocation. Read more>>

Shantalea Johns

A defining moment for me happened when I was a teenager in Detroit, Michigan, living with my aunt. My aunt would wake me up on a Saturday, telling me to meet her in the kitchen. Once I got there, I’d watch as she pulled out stacks of bread, layers of meat, cheese, and whatever else we had in the fridge. Together, we’d build the biggest double-decker sandwich I’d ever seen, one so big it barely fit between my small hands. Read more>>

Hurairah Faatimah Muzammil

Life has been a constantly evolving path for me, and with every twist and turn, I’ve carried forward a new lesson to shape who I am becoming. Many instances and experiences have carved me into a newer version of myself that has both excited and improved me. Read more>>

Leslie Menges

In the summer of 2022, I attended the National AMTA Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. It was there where I had the opportunity to hear Barb and Becky speak on the topic of Reflexology. While I didn’t fully subscribe to the concept that our feet are directly tied to the rest of the body, I was intrigued to learn more. Read more>>

Nicole Simpson

Yes, there was a defining moment that completely shifted the trajectory of my career. For many years, my background was rooted in behavioral science and understanding why people think and act the way they do. I enjoyed the work, but I always felt like something was missing when it came to truly helping people transform their lives. Read more>>

Marianna Tripp

I was happily working my salt room business when I noticed that a lot of young moms were bringing kids for breathing therapy, ashamed and trying to hide their tattooed eyebrows, as they are not the right shape, or too dark, or had changed color into some other (brown became blue, f.e.). Read more>>

Jeff LaBianco

In my mid-20s, I was a thriving doctor of physical therapy—dedicated to healing others—while silently suffering from a life-altering autoimmune disease: ulcerative colitis. After a decade of relentless pain, countless failed treatments, and over 30 alternative healing approaches, I made the decision I swore I never would: to have my colon surgically removed. Read more>>

Sylwia Pogorzelska

About two years ago, I noticed a pattern: midlife women were being overlooked, not just in fitness, but in how society values strength, vitality, and self-confidence after 40. That became my defining moment. I wasn’t just building a fitness brand; I was answering a call to empower women to reclaim their energy, confidence, and sense of self, while still welcoming clients of all ages into a supportive and thriving community. Read more>>

Tanya Tapia

When I think of defining moments, I think of accomplishment and great success. I picture in my mind someone standing on a 1st place pedestal or delivering a key note presentation. I definitely do not imagine someone sitting in a dark room feeling completely hopeless and devastated, but yet that is how I felt during my defining moment. Read more>>

Joshua Johnson

Fourteen is a number that stands out to me. It was fourteen years after my military service that I realized I was struggling with PTSD. In 2016, my wife encouraged me to seek help and talk to someone about my experiences, and how to process them in a healthy way. Read more>>