Defining moments aren’t just exciting – they are thought-provoking and fertile ground for learning. These inflection points often are the result of an illuminating moment where some truth of the universe presents itself in an easier to recognize form. Below, you’ll find talented and successful entrepreneurs and artists sharing the stories of defining moments in their lives.

Melanie Murphy Richter

I was 24 years old, when my world changed forever. I was in the middle of the street, walking home from lunch, when my bowels lost all control. Without any warning, I had diarrhea right there, in broad daylight, fully-clothed, in the middle of a busy and crowded street. It was a real-life version of the scene from Bridesmaids, except it was anything but funny. Little did I know that this exact moment would be one of the greatest gifts of my career, and of my life. Let me explain. Read more>>

Rachael Miller

My defining moment was when I had my 3rd baby. I choose to have a birth I wanted and was supported by my medical team and family. I was able to see birth in a very different view. I was at peace, I was supported, I was allowed to move, eat, and labor the way my body wanted me to. The birth team was performing hands on techniques and allowed me to labor in a birth tub. Read more>>

Sarah Vondracek

I guess my biggest defining moment of my career is always staying true to what felt right at the time. Because every decision I made, or didn’t do led me to exactly where I am today. The struggles and obstacles I have faced in my career really have made up the defining moments for me. When I was faced with obstacles I saw how smart I am, how creative I am, they made me driven, motivated, and so wildly determined. Read more>>

BR33ZZYY

Throughout my life, I have been suicidal at times, and, like most of us, questioning and confused about my purpose on Earth. ‘Why am I here, what is my purpose?’ I would often wonder, going through temporary phases of ignorant bliss, and then again returning to a state of depressed confusion. COVID re-directed my life completely. I was set to obtain a degree in international business after studying in London, Dubai and Shanghai in the course of a year. Read more>>

Kate King

There have been many defining moments in my 15+ year career as a licensed professional counselor and board certified art therapist, but the most recent impact is when I shifted from practicing psychotherapy to practicing Radiant Life Coaching in early 2023. I teach depth-oriented transformational personal healing and growth strategies, and it is important to me that I walk my talk and engage this work myself as well. Read more>>

Dawn Gaden

It was a dark rainy day as I ventured off on yet another soul ripping day of work. Terrified because all I wanted to do was escape my life, I had nothing left to give, for me or my kids. I was depleted and exhausted. I took this job because my husband had been laid off work just after our twins were born and purchasing our dream home. with two toddlers to feed and now twins. I did the responsible thing. Read more>>

Lisen Helander

The Friday Mind came about when I came to the realization that I was basically living for Friday’s, 14% off the week. When Friday rolled around, with it came that giddy feeling. No other day of the week felt quite like Friday. I’ve worked hard all week, it’s time to finish the week off strong and let the party begin. 2 whole days off. Let’s do this. Get the happy hour started, grab my partner, board a plane, head out for drinks and dinner, you know the drill. Read more>>

Tanna Marshall

One major defining moment for me was my first day of freshman year in high school. Let me preface… I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, where they began bussing in public schools in the late 1970’s. I was going to be sent to a scary neighborhood far away every day. Fortunately, my father – a retired policeman – said, “Oh HELL NO!” Read more>>

Anna Ferguson

In my life, I’ve experienced multiple defining moments that fundamentally changed me and shifted the direction of my path. The first two moments occurred nearly simultaneously in my early twenties when I was introduced to vegetarianism and yoga by my college roommate. Read more>>

Michele Sammons

My path hasn’t been a straight shot. No fast-lane driving for me, going from Point A to Point B the quickest way possible. Instead, my path has been long and winding, like an old country road full of stops, starts, and stalls. For years, I resisted my true calling because I was afraid. Read more>>

John-Edward Heath

May 21, 2021 my life would change forever when I went into surgery for a Below-The-Knee amputation. I had been disabled since 2016 and due to military malpractice I was left with a limb that did not function. Everything was orchestrated too well for me to excel because of the people I was surrounded around. I had 2x Olympian and Eagles WR Devon Allen in my corner which would shape my career as a Paralympic/Adaptive Athlete. Read more>>

Paradise Taylor

I used to work as an accountant in an extremely toxic work environment. At the time, I had just embarked on my Yoga Teacher Training journey, without any intention of actually teaching. However, reflecting on that period now, I realize that my hesitancy largely stemmed from fear – fear of not measuring up, fear of standing in front of a group and guiding a practice, fear of failure. Read more>>

Crystal Paredes

My defining moment was when I realized my calling was to become an aesthetician. I was 38 years old and began developing cystic acne. I became depressed in what what seems like now overnight. I avoided gatherings throughout this period of my life. I attempted so many remedies to aid my skin from the internet, including accutane. I eventually visited an aesthetician. Read more>>

Brandace B

Yoga and the ongoing practice of Yoga has been the pivotal moment in my Yogi journey. Prior to engaging in Yoga I was sad, misguided, uncertain and overcome with grief (My Mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, With 1-year life expectancy). I stumbled on Yoga, I was at the beach (Long Beach) engaging in another activity on the lower level; when leaving the upper level was saturated with a minimum of 150 Yogis practicing Yoga. Read more>>

Kimberly Powers

In 2021 and 2022, I began EMDR therapy to work through the trauma of living with bipolar disorder, type one, with psychotic features. Although my illness has been in remission since 2010, the traumatic memories of the episodes I had been through still held me back from releasing the shame and stigma of the illness. I was first diagnosed at age 16 as a sophomore in high school. Read more>>

Latonia Hendry

Starting out as an entrepreneur, I had a lot of excitement about starting a business from my home. It did not take long for reality to set in that, past the excitement, there is work to be done. My defining moment was realizing 2 aspect: 1) If you do not take your time and business seriously then no one will. 2) Being an entrepruneur is hard work, and the sooner you realize that, the quicker you can run your business and not fall into pitfalls and mental traps. Read more>>

Natalie Barger

A defining moment in my career was during the pandemic in 2020. As a nation we experienced a wake-up call to those who weren’t taking care of themselves physically or mentally. Illness hit harder on those who were obese, out of shape, and unhealthy. Not enough conversations were being had about vitamins, nutrition, physical and mental health. I noticed a need for more education and support in the community. Read more>>

Lisa Morton

A client contacted me to schedule an initial consultation to discuss new flooring and other ideas. I arrived with my bags of samples ready to dive in. Like any other first appointment, we said hello, and then I asked for a quick walk-through of the house so I could get acclimated to the space. Afterward, we went to the kitchen table to sit down and discuss all her needs, and that’s when the energy instantly shifted. Read more>>

Ana Paula Ford

I’ve been working as a model for several years, captivating audiences with my presence on the runway and in front of the camera. Throughout my modeling career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with renowned fashion brands, walk the catwalks of prestigious fashion weeks, and collaborate with talented photographers and designers. Read more>>

Yan Ling Weng

Have you ever felt a burning desire to achieve something more in life? For me, that moment came after a scooter accident introduced me to Reiki healing! The strain on my neck and shoulders caused intense pain whenever I turned my head, impacting my mood, concentration and productivity. However, after just one treatment from a Reiki Master, I experienced relief and regained mobility, feeling deeply relaxed, and a sense of inner peace. Read more>>

Maggie Fekete, E-RYT 500, CHC, BCHHP

My West Coast Bro, with a background in acting and production, asked me to view myself in a different light. He asked me to look in the mirror and begin to see myself as a photographer, videographer, and ultimately a producer. At first, I was wildly resistant, identifying mainly with the credentials I had accumulated over the years. After exiting a deep contemplation meditation on the topic, I found my brothers recommendations to be perfectly on point, Read more>>

David Johnson

DAVID JOHNSON was born in the Bronx, New York, but he never felt like he fit in or had his own identify. His mother died when he was ten and his older brother died when he was fifteen. This was the point that David realized his purpose in life was to help people find the brighter side in life and to help guide them toward a better relationship with themselves and with others. Read more>>

Terrance Williams

My defining moment was 10 years ago when I was feeding the homeless. I met a man named Quincy. Quincy had been homeless for two years, and he told me about his struggles with mental health that led him to be homeless. It was at that moment that I decided that I was going to figure out a way to help people that are struggling with mental health. Read more>>

Christopher Robinson

My daughter Aalesia is my second oldest child and has something called Trisomy 18. I was in my early 20’s when she was born and told over 10 times during the pregnancy that she would not live past a year if she would even make it through conception. The feelings of having to prepare to grieve a child is something I can’t explain. Read more>>

Lindley Cave

At the age of 7, my mother allowed me to be in the delivery room to witness the birth of my brother. Being present in the delivery room at a young age had a profound impact on my life and shaped my future aspirations and interests. Witnessing the miracle of childbirth firsthand sparked a deep fascination and connection with the process of bringing new life into the world. Read more>>