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.

Rebecca Wierman

I thought I had my dream job while I was working as a Brand Manager in the cannabis industry. I was doing something exciting in a new and emerging industry. I had a strong desire to educate people on the benefits of cannabis as well as help them find the products that work. After a few months, I started to see all that was wrong with the industry and how it’s not rooted in helping people heal, but rather in making millions and gaining market share (oftentimes without ethics). I quickly fell out of love. Read more>>

Jaime Carden-O’Brien

As a trauma therapist, I always prided myself on the ability I had to prioritize my self care. I understood the importance of having and upholding strong boundaries, planning things to look forward to and not spreading myself too thin. I recognized this was important for my overall wellbeing as well as for the health of my personal relationships and to best serve my clients. I believed I was doing great! In 2014 though, I discovered personal development and I realized how much work I had to do. I began to dig into all the limiting beliefs I didn’t realize had been holding me back for so long. Read more>>

Javante Battle

My first defining moment in my professional career happened when I was laid off from my corporate job due to the 2020 Pandemic, but in order to share the significance of this moment I have to tell you the backstory. During this moment in time I had been practicing my work for 2 & half years in a “hobby fashion”, I worked a full time job from 9 to 5 so the only time I could spend on my practice was on the weekends. At the time my wife and I were “in the trenches” so to speak with parenthood, Read more>>

Michelle Phelan

Becoming a counselor has been a journey of congruence for me. As an undergraduate, I received degrees in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Kansas. Professionally, I explored roles in different fields and met outstanding people along the way, yet never felt that *spark*. My undergraduate degrees reflect who I am, yet my career path did not at that time, therefore I was left with a sense of incongruence. Read more>>

Erin Baskin

Sometimes it feels like we just take jobs because they come along at the right time or are convenient, and since completing my service in the military, I’ve had several of those situations. It’s wonderful when something happens at just the right time or when you’re actively looking for change, but those opportunities are not always the ones that fill us with passion and excitement. Each of those opportunities played a role in getting me to this point, but a special combination of events gave me the push I needed to take the entrepreneurial leap. Read more>>

Maria Merlo

As a teenager, I suffered from depression, OCD, and debilitating PMS symptoms. Medication and therapy did not seem to work for me. I was hopeless & helpless. When I was 16, it was clear for me I wanted to be an engineer. I worked all my life very hard to get good grades. I got into college with very minimal financial support where I was able to get two different scholarships and a student loan. I was able to graduate with honors and starting working in the automotive industry since then. Read more>>

Brittany Clayborne

At the age of 26 years old I had a heart attack during labor and was diagnosed was Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. After dying and being shocked back on multiple occasions received a type of mechanical heart (LVAD) and finally 8 years after my initial diagnosis, a heart transplant. Read more>>

Machandria Peters

Watching the documentary “Crip Camp” was a defining moment for me and my desire to advocate for individuals with disabilities. It showcased a community banning together to create a necessary change. This was the catalyst that led to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It showed me that there are others like myself who desire to show society that we matter, we deserve accessible spaces, and that we will fight. Read more>>

Nikki Brooker

As an educator of over 20 years, I thought I was going to be a teacher forever. My education and training all focused on teaching both children and adults. But when two moms took their lives and the lives of their children, I realized that I had a new focus and soul-fulfilling endeavor. I am meant to save moms. I am meant to change the world, one mom at a time. Read more>>