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.
Avis Brown
The summer of 2016 my 21 yr old so was killed in a car accident. It was a turning point in my life as I had to learning how to handle my own grief as I work as a therapist helping other recover from a variety of trauma events. I had deal with a couple of other traumatic events that summer and eventually was lead to get professional help of my own. As I learn to navigate my new normal I develop a framework to teach people who work in high pressure positions how to prioritize self-care the right way. This framework has alone me to travel and teach other professionals how to use this framework. Read more>>
Cristy Berry
In 2007 I was diagnosed with Thyroid disease and told to have a procedure and that was the only solution for my condition. I was told this would “fix” my problem and I would be better. Little did I know not only did it not “fix” my condition, but I was then told I had to be on medication for the rest of my life. This procedure was irreversible and has forever changed my health, my life and my future. Soon after this I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, I was overweight and struggling in life. I began having migraine headaches and was told it was hormonal and was put on anti depressants, What was I supposed to do??? Listen to the doctors, right?? Well that was my mistake, I mean not looking out for my best interest and learning about my conditions first. So after may endocrinologists, hormone doctors, countless prescriptions, and tests, they said my labs were normal and I was dealing with anxiety. My endocrinologist could never get my medications correct and I kept asking, WHY??? He said, I don’t know and I don’t know what else to do for you. I am doing all I know. So I began looking for new doctors that were integrative. In 2008 I started my journey in integrative medicine. I have never looked back. As I started learning more about my body I began to understand the relationships between organs, stress, sleep and diet. I understood that my issue with fertility, miscarriages, weight gain, headaches and mood were all inter related and had been culminating for years prior to my symptoms. I began researching, taking classes and building my knowledge. By the way, I was a personal trainer and certified in nutrition since 2003, so this was not new but I never put the pieces of the puzzle together. We are taught that the systems in the body are separate. Read more>>
Edyta Skibinska
In the realm of professional development, there are moments that stand out as pivotal turning points, fundamentally altering the trajectory of one’s career. For me, that defining moment came through a deeply personal experience that reshaped my understanding of healthcare and ignited a passion for transforming the medical landscape. My journey began with a personal health crisis. Despite being immersed in the world of traditional medicine, I found myself struggling with persistent health issues that seemed resistant to conventional treatments. It was during this challenging period that I discovered the powerful principles of lifestyle medicine and holistic health approaches that emphasize the intricate connection between body, mind, and soul. As I delved deeper into evidence-based preventive measures and holistic practices, I experienced a remarkable turnaround in my own health. This personal transformation was not just physical; it was a profound awakening that reshaped my entire perspective on healthcare. I realized that the future of medicine lay not in merely treating diseases as they arise, but in empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to prevent illness and optimize their well-being proactively. Read more>>
Carrie Lynn John
When I was a child, my mom used to hang crystals from my bedroom window. I found the reflecting lights of dancing rainbows on the ceiling and walls mesmerizing. I grew up in Florida with a wonderful mother and father, one brother and one sister, who were both many years older than me. So, I spent a lot of time by myself in this bedroom with the dancing lights. It was a magical place, just for me. Mom had many ways of making me feel special like that. We lived in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in a brand new neighborhood in Palatka, Florida. As you entered it, you were welcomed by this big beautiful willow tree. I loved it very much. It was different than any other tree in the neighborhood and had a magical sense of its own. All of the neighbors waved and talked with each other. It was a great place to grow up. We were considered the “Party House”! My parents sure knew how to throw a party: Hog roasts, oyster grills and football, snipe hunting, SNL, lottery ticket, weddings and poker nights…you get the idea. There were never any drugs involved but definitely a lot of drinking. My best friend, who I’ve known from day one, lived next door to the right. My cousin, who is also my age, lived next door to the left. On these party nights, we kids got to do whatever we wanted! Which was mainly jumping on the couch and staying up past midnight. I still remember the music and the laughter of all those nights. I loved the lifestyle and I couldn’t wait to grow up and have this lifestyle of my own. The drinking, friends, unity, games, loud music, dancing, and the laughter. Read more>>
Emma Lockwood
A defining moment for me as a chiropractor was when I was in Zanzibar Tanzania volunteering at an office there. I had a lot of cases and a lot of patients that I had never seen in a clinic in the US and for many of them I was there only line of defense and only doctor in the area. One of those defining moments was when I saw a patient who had had a stroke a few months before and I was used as the person to help him with his healing. I saw him almost every day for 2 weeks and I was able to see how his body responded to my care. They don’t have a physical therapist on the island and I was the only person that was there to help. Another defining moment on that trip was watching the Barefoot soccer games every evening and seeing a lot of the players in my office the next morning to get taped or to get checked to see if they had any issues with their ankles such as a fracture because there was no x-ray machine in the area. I learned how to think on my feet very quickly and how to take care of clients who didn’t speak my language. It was an amazing time. Read more>>
Melanie Joy
Like many people, I grew up with a dog who I loved like a family member, and I cared about the wellbeing of animals in general. But, like most people, I also grew up eating meat, eggs, and dairy—and I never thought about the fact that these foods came from animals who suffered terribly and were killed for my plate. But then one day in 1989, I got incredibly sick and ended up hospitalized after eating a contaminated hamburger. After that experience, I was disgusted at the idea of eating meat, and I became a vegetarian, sort of by accident. When I started learning about my new diet, I was shocked to discover the extent of the harm to animals, the environment, and human health caused by animal agriculture. But what shocked me in some ways even more was that nobody I talked to about what I had learned was willing to hear what I had to say. They’d say things like “Don’t tell me that; you’ll ruin my meal,” or they’d call me a radical hippie vegan propagandist (I became vegan upon learning about the horrors of the dairy and egg industries). These were people who loved their dogs, who cared about justice, and who were concerned about the environment—and yet they were incredibly resistant to information that would help them shift their behaviors to be more aligned with their interests and values. Read more>>
Cordula Thurnhuber
In 2020, I had meticulously planned out my year as a self-employed yoga instructor. My business was thriving, and despite my chronic depression, I was living a fulfilling and happy life. Then, the pandemic hit, and the world plunged into a strange mix of apocalypse and standstill. Everything came to a halt—no progress forward or backward. At first, I naively believed that we would all return to normal life within three to four weeks. I remained relatively unconcerned. But as those three weeks stretched into six, and then over two months, I realized we were facing something far more serious than I had ever imagined. I watched as all my plans, stability, and sense of security—both personally and professionally—began to crumble, and I spiraled into a deep depression. Despite this, I forced myself onto the yoga mat every day, pushing through physically demanding practices that had always helped me in the past. However, my symptoms worsened with each passing day. I vividly remember the moment during Downward Dog when I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I broke down in tears, and my body collapsed to the floor. I had my first panic attack and couldn’t get out of bed for the next three days. Read more>>
Kristi Brown
As a high school graduate, I stood at the top of my class, balancing multiple extracurricular activities while feeling fully prepared to chase my dream of becoming a doctor. However during my first semesters in college, my confidence waned as my once stellar performance faltered, leading to average or below average grades. This loss of self assurance and fear of failure pushed me to commit to my job in the food and beverage industry, where I thrives in customer service and team dynamics, contributing significantly to the company’s success. The weight of my perceived failure and the inability to fulfill the dream of becoming a doctor – a dream heavily influenced by my parents and societal expectations of being the perfect daughter and future woman- was overwhelming. I settled for a degree that aligned with my credits while continuing to excel in the food and beverage industry, rising to leadership roles. Despite all the signs, I never pursued an education that matches my natural talents and skills. I was blinded by disappointment, embarrassment, and the need to remain resilient. Read more>>
Millicent Akere
A defining moment in my career was when I transitioned from studying applied mathematics and chemistry to pursuing a PhD in medicinal and analytical chemistry. The turning point came through a series of pivotal moments that led me to take a deep look at my skills, my sense of purpose, and the impact I wanted to have. This reflection was sparked by both professional experiences and personal insights, which pushed me to reassess the direction of my career and the unique contributions I could make. I started to recognize how my background in chemistry could be applied to pressing issues and where I could make a real difference, especially in areas where my skills could be directed towards meaningful, impactful research. Receiving the Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry award from Brescia University and my acceptance into the PhD program in medicinal and analytical chemistry at the University of Toledo helped nudge me in the right path. This career shift became even more significant during a trip to Atlanta, where I attended the funeral of the close friend of a family member who had tragically died from a synthetic drug overdose. That experience opened my eyes to the devastating impact of synthetic drugs on our communities and gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Read more>>