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.

Jenna Rayachoti

The moment I decided to become a Naturopathic Doctor. I returned home from being a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa and no one could figure out what was happening in my body. I was having recurrent ear and skin infections that were landing me in the ER. I was being prescribed endless antibiotics and steroids and nothing was improving. In fact, everything was getting worse. I was seeing several different doctors and no one knew what to do. Read more>>

Krysta Dancy

I remember the moment I was staring out my office window, on the phone with another new mom who was completely overwhelmed. She needed counseling, and fast. I pulled up my calendar, already knowing what I would see- every opening full and then some, and a waitlist I had no hope of getting to. Read more>>

Brittany McDonald

In the winter of 2019 I hit my breaking point with my health. My husband and I went wine tasting with friends and then got dinner at fried chicken restaurant. I hadn’t drank much or over eaten but a few hours later I was incredibly sick in ways that would be TMI to share. What I will say though, is my gut felt like it was in the worst knots I’d ever experienced. Prior to this event I had been getting chronic stomach aches, acne all over my body and intense PMS. So when I experienced that horrible night, I was ready to make a change for my health. Read more>>

MEREDITH PARANJOTHI

I heard about FIT4MOM in 2011 when my daughter was 7 1/2 months old. At that time I didn’t have any “mom” friends and didn’t know how to make any. My daughter and I were attending an infant massage class at a local library when I overheard some ladies taking about “stroller class”. I was too shy to ask them about it, so I went home and searched online. I saw a group called Stroller Strides and immediately emailed the contact person. Read more>>

Stephanie Rasel, LCSW, BCBA, ITDS

I began my career as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher in a center school for students with emotional and behavioral challenges. During that time I had the pleasure of working with several amazing students who taught me so much more than any professor or textbook. Day after day, with the help of an entire educational team, I witnessed students improve behaviorally and emotionally. Read more>>

Stephanie Flores

My story of this part of my path began as my marriage had imploded and I was going through my divorce. Years of stored emotions and trauma in my body was making itself known in severe body and emotional pain. I tried many things but yoga was proving to be the best for bringing peace to my mind and emotions, and allowing my body some healing. I decided to go into teacher training to get deeper knowledge of the practice, with no intention of teaching anyone else. Read more>>

Robyn Robichaud

I’d say the defining moment for my business had to be the 2020 tornado and pandemic. Right before quarantine rollouts began, Nashville was hit by a major tornado that took many small businesses, including my main job, High Garden, a local tea and herbal shop. It was a stressful and scary place to be. I needed some form of income, but going back into public facing customer service jobs felt terrifying in the early days of the pandemic when we didn’t really understand the virus yet, or have the protections of vaccines. Read more>>

Mrs Stephanie White

Looking back.. there are several defining moments that led me to were I am today. I’ve struggled with obesity, weight loss, addiction, depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, miscarriages, and skin conditions, such as psoriasis. All of these played a defining role.. and without going thru any of these things I definitely would not be where I am today. Read more>>

Nicole Hawkins

My defining moment that changed the trajectory of my career path was when my husband and I heard those three words that none of us ever want to hear, “you have cancer.” March 20, 2020, at 10:18 am, he was diagnosed with stage 4 Central Nervous System Lymphoma. This is when our lives change forever, but not necessarily in the negative way that most would think. Read more>>

Yanni Profit

I started my journey in 2017 and oh what a journey it has been. I am amazed at how far I’ve come, with growth comes wisdom and I feel it is my duty to share it with as many women as I can, especially those healing from toxic relationships. Read more>>

Akeema Bichali

Many people know my story and I continue to share it to both keep memories alive as well as to propel me forward and committed. My mom who’s been gone now for almost 15 years passed away on my wedding day. I had to watch her suffer with illness for years leading up to that. After she passed and I had to deal with the heartache of having that all happen on the day I was supposed to get married. I decided to learn more about the body. Read more>>

Latanya Morrison

I am and will always be the PROUD grandmother of my four WONDERFUL grandchildren. Ashae Butler (my Shazzafraz), Ashad Butler (my Shyshy), Ahmad Butler(my superhero Captain Poodaman), and Amari Prince Charming Butler (my Tinkmcnink) whom my daughter Cierra and son in love Duane calls the A-team. I had a fish dream before my daughter and son told about or even knew themselves for everyone of my grands. My fish dreams are foresight that someone close to me is expecting. Read more>>

Elizabeth Rago

From 2010 – 2013, my family went through a series of events that left us broken, not only mentally, but physically and financially. This rough season had me embarrassed and feeling almost like an outcast as I looked for resources from mental health practitioners and lawyers to bankruptcy support and access to free food. Read more>>

Katie Bock

When I was 23, I graduated from college with a degree in Massage Therapy, excited to start my first “real” job aka a career. What I didn’t know at the time was that massage would not bring me the purpose I was seeking. From a young age I wanted to support people to feel better, feel free and enjoy life; for the most part being a massage therapist allowed me to do this. The hiccup was that while I was supporting others to feel better, Read more>>

Andrea Mathis

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I worked in many areas: the hospital setting, public health, and long term care. While working in long term care, my life changed. I got married and had two kids and wanted to spend more time at home. I was struggling with how to balance work life and family life, so I started blogging to help serve as an outlet for me. Read more>>

Mandy Mahon

I was 38, 390 pounds and laying on the hospital bed terrified. I was pregnant with twins and we had just found out that our sweet Charlie had High Drops and we needed to do an emergency C-Section. To save mommy and babies. They had just given me a steroid shot to help develop the baby’s lungs and I was scheduled for a C-Section the next day. Read more>>

Jessica Molina

A defining moment for me with Her Divine Vibe was when I tapped more into my passion for astrology and began to offer natal chart readings. Astrology is the language of the stars & sometimes we forget that we are cosmic beings , There is so much to unfold within ourselves that astrology guides us to do so. I spent years studying my own chart, learning my strengths, being compassionate with my challenges , Read more>>

Mariana Hernandez

A defining moment in my career was when I had to decide whether to leave my country (Venezuela) and look for better opportunities, or stay there. I had already built a professional name for myself and I was growing really fast, but it’s no secret to anybody that Venezuela is going through a very difficult political and economic crisis, which made me question my own future. Read more>>

Noreen Dupriest

Before any session begins with a new client, I offer the following… “Hi, I’m Noreen. Welcome to Simply Be Therapy. Before we get started, I have a few things I would like to share… I love Jesus and sometimes I cuss a little; I believe therapy is a lot like Nanny McPhee, when you need me but do not want me, I must stay. When you want me, but no longer need me, I must go; Read more>>