Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly, but so often folks live life without thinking about their purpose. We believe that thinking about your purpose and trying to identify what it might be is one of the most impactful things you can do to level up your life, career, and general level of happiness and fulfillment. Having a sense of what your why is will help you become a better decision maker which inevitably will improve your life. Below, you’ll find some interesting discussions, stories and perspectives around find your purpose.

Melissa Boldt Emily Jennings

The answer to this question really answers so many of the other available interview questions – our purpose is driven by our love for our daughters (Lucille “Lulu” and Scarlett Rae “Rae”) and our desire to be as present in their lives as possible, to be their positive role models, demonstrate how strong-willed and determined women can show up for themselves & each other, and be their own bosses and maybe even gain a big enough platform to shed more light on what many consider “taboo” subjects – infertility, donor genetics, surrogacy and pre-mature birth. Emily’s daughter’s story is rare and special and definitely uplifting and joyous.  Read more>>

Nikki Neri

This is such a loaded question for me, because part of me feels like I’ve found it, and part of me feels like I’m still searching for it. I guess the best way to answer this is in two parts. Half of me has always known, since I could pick up a crayon, that I was meant to create. Anytime someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always reply, “an artist”. I still know to this day that I’m meant to create, but below the surface, I feel that I’m also meant to use my talents and my voice for something bigger. Within the last few years, I’ve felt a deeper calling and urge to make an impact on people, and to make some sort of difference in the world, whether that’s big or small. Read more>>

Carri Helman

It all started in 8th grade when my Guidance Counselor slipped me a trifold pamphlet for a writing competition. They were choosing 100 kids from across the US to spend a week over the summer on the campus of a private college, attending writing classes focused on poetry, magazine articles, or novels. Seemed easy enough – I just had to write an essay. Read more>>

Melanie Damore

I didn’t really find my purpose, because it’s always been there. I’ve always felt drawn to nature, to being outside, and that connection is what fuels my art. For me, being in nature and experiencing landscapes isn’t just something I enjoy – it’s a deep part of who I am. I feel a sense of purpose when I translate those experiences into artwork and share them with others. It’s about capturing the essence of a place and inviting people to see the beauty I see. My purpose is really this lifelong relationship with the landscape, and my art is the way I share it. Read more>>

Michelle Jackson

I found my purpose when I valued the memories of others I can no longer have with me. Those that have past on or memories I wanted to capture for a lifetime. Memories I wanted to share with others, family and friends/pets. Read more>>

December Clevenger

My sense of purpose has evolved through personal experience. I’ve always been open to exploring new opportunities that could enhance my life. While in high school in my hometown, I had the chance to attend photography classes at Tulsa Tech. Although I was deeply passionate about soccer, I faced a pivotal choice between pursuing sports or following a more sustainable career path. I chose photography because I recognized it as a skill set I could develop and carry with me throughout my life, offering long-term potential for personal and financial stability, as opposed to the uncertain prospects of a career in sports. Read more>>

I’ve known since I was a little that I was a healer type person. I worked in healthcare for most my life and have always been good with caring for others. I was the one who would go in patients rooms and sing with them, laugh with them and hold them with compassion and kindness. I was Also called into the bosses office because I was unconventional and reprimanded for how I did things. But also at the end of the 15 years I worked there, I was asked by the boss HOW I did things.. how was I always able to leave the patients Better than I found them.. emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Of course, I also left them physically better, too. Read more>>

Melody Butiu

I grew up in a musical family. My parents, my sister, my extended family either sang or played instruments, and music was a big part of our household. My mom told me I was singing as soon as I could speak. When I tried out for the elementary school play, I was cast as a soloist, but was told early on that I was not a good speaker, that I stumbled over the lines, and that I should stay away from speaking parts. So as the years went by, I gravitated to choir. When I reached high school, I saw a production of Sweeney Todd that blew my mind, and I had a growing interest in musical theatre. As I started taking drama classes, I found a renewed interest in acting, but still got cast primarily in the school musicals and not the plays. Read more>>

Ayushi Khurana

Finding my purpose felt like following subtle clues, each bringing me closer to the realization that storytelling was always my path. Growing up, I was enchanted by the stories my grandmother told—stories rich with tradition, humor, and life lessons. She could captivate a room, and through her, I learned that stories are so much more than words; they’re a way to connect, transport, and inspire. Read more>>

Nai Zhao

My passion has been shaped by the search for freedom and self-expression. Growing up as a first-generation Iu-Mien immigrant and the youngest of three, I often felt more American than Mien, navigating life in Portland with only a loose connection to my roots and assimilating in the ways I knew how. Building Charcuterie Me has been my way of pushing boundaries and defining a path that feels true to both parts of who I am. Growing up in Portland, I rarely saw myself represented, and it often felt like there was no clear roadmap for someone like me in the entrepreneurial world.  Read more>>

Cason Suggs

For me, purpose is so much deeper than the work you do or how people recognize you. I’ve found purpose to be how your life can lead others to grow. I believe in Jesus, and that fuels my need to uplift and instill hope into people. The movies, the artwork I put out into the world, to me it is only a tool to inspire action and change in others. If I were ever given light, I pray it shines just bright enough to grow a seed into a tree, or never shine at all. Read more>>

Adam Uhan

In 2020, when the whole world was a in a bit of chaos, I decided to try to learn a new skill so I took a masterclass on negotiation. There was no real reason for this, at least no rational one as it wouldn’t really help me in a facet of my professional life (or so I thought). Negotiation skills and tactics were just a fascinating topic. I jumped right in and quickly realized that this material would have a really great impact on how to approach every single thing life would throw my way. One of the key takeaways of the coursework was deescalation and ridding conversations of the ‘why question’. Instead of asking ‘why did you do xyz’, which brings on a defensive posture and response, you were supposed to ask ‘what made you do xyz’ or some variation of that kind of question.  Read more>>

Wes Weitzenhoffe

As an artist, I don’t know if there was ever one big lightning bolt that stuck. It wasn’t as if the clouds parted and the light shone down to a chorus of angels revealing my purpose. I suspect there were a lot of little bolts instead. Read more>>

Christie Mckinney-evans

I believe my journey to finding purpose began with a deep desire for something beyond the ordinary, especially after my divorce and navigating single parenting. I’ve always felt there was a calling to impact lives, but it wasn’t until I fully surrendered and Abba Father, said, trust Me,” then the journey began. Read more>>

Marilyn Harris

As a young girl, I loved the way my mother loved my younger brother and me. I don’t remember a lot of specifics that made it so special but I remember the love and safety I felt. She often read to us from the “big red bible” that sat on the dining room coffee table. Because of those memories, I always dreamed of having children of my own. I imagined the joy of their laughter bouncing on the walls of my home, the pride of watching them grow day by day, and the privilege of guiding them through life. But life, in its unpredictable way, had other plans. I never became a biological mother, but what I gained in return was a profound sense of purpose that I could never have anticipated. Today, I am affectionately called Auntie, Ms. Harris and “MeMe” by more children than I could have ever dreamed of having, each of whom holds a special place in my heart.  Read more>>

Journey Shank

Growing up in a close knit family, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance at a young age. The game of basketball gave me a passion that has grown over the years into a gift I can give to others. Throughout the injuries I faced, I found my purpose bigger than the game and that allowed me gain a better perspective on my path. Creating my own business allows me to always be a student of my craft. I’m grateful for the adversity because it made me stronger and gave a different purpose. Read more>>

Gina Southern-monson

I found my purpose through a combination of personal resilience, community insight, and a deep connection to the natural world. After facing two layoffs in one year, I knew it was time to reassess my path and consider what truly brought me joy and meaning. When I asked friends what they thought I was exceptionally good at, their unanimous answer was gardening, —but not just any kind of gardening. They saw value in the way I approach it: with intention, creativity, and a focus on transforming urban spaces into edible, ecological landscapes that serve both people and the planet. Read more>>

Zac Mills

For over a decade, I worked at the World Bank, a key institution within the United Nations system, as a governance and budgeting expert. My work was both fascinating and challenging, involving complex governance issues across Africa, Asia, and beyond. I had the opportunity to engage with high-level government officials, even shaking hands with presidents. However, over time, the internal bureaucracy and politics became frustrating. I felt constrained, unable to achieve the level of impact I aspired to on this planet. Read more>>

Eric Bryant

“All of things we are going through is affecting people in many ways and these things are having a negative effect on our minds and hurting us in many ways and most of all, the people that love and care for us”. Eric has already been a dreamer, a person that has visionary qualities of what could be possible. What he didn’t realize is that those qualities are a big part of his purpose.
It took me years to find my purpose, however, what started as the catalyst to finding my purpose was to deal with what I’m not going back to. I had to deal with my sexuality and come to love and accept me for the person that God made me to be. Read more>>

Jamar Silva

Finding purpose is kind of like spotting something worth fixing. If you asked me how to find success or meaning, I’d say look for a problem that makes you want to jump in. For me, it started with noticing what made me feel alive. I picked up a camera one day, and it just felt right, I couldn’t put it down. Through the lens, I saw all the things I could show to make a difference, even in small ways. Little by little, I realised it was my way to help make the world a bit brighter. Read more>>

Olena Lysenko

I’m not sure that I have found it entirely but I do feel closer to it than I ever have before. I will likely look back at my life and think, “oh yeah there is it was all along!” I’m in love with what I’m doing, that’s for sure. But I felt very lost for a long time, looking outside of myself for what I “should” be doing. I weaved in and out of industries, trying on every hat I came across.. I was really forcing things that didn’t fit for quite a while. I think it all turned around when I hit rock bottom- I found myself in a situation where I had to completely start over- job, home, friends- it was very hard but there was so much relief in that too. Read more>>

Eli Cedrone

I’ve always been influenced by the power of images to express ideas and emotions. I saw the world in terms of a visual language and drawing was something I did quite naturally from a very young age. I’ve never doubted for a moment that I would pursue a life in the arts. However, when I went to art school it was difficult to find instruction in traditional methods of painting. I pressed on as I wove my way through the world of commercial art, first as a designer then as an illustrator until I found my way back to painting full time. Read more>>

Sophie Uliano

I’ve been obsessed with health and wellness since I was 20 years old (40 years ago!). In the UK, alternative health was very fringe, so I hung out there. I learned to be a yoga practitioner and started a lifelong journey of studying clinical and holistic nutrition. My career took a different path as I pursued my dreams of working and performing in theatre. I learned the power of manifestation before it was even a thing, and I knew how to get laser-focused on my goals, dreams, and desires and to take inspired action. Having accomplished some of my lifelong dreams regarding my acting career, the tug to work in the health and wellness space took over. When I moved from London to Los Angeles in 1987, I knew I was in the right place.  Read more>>

Aurora Threats

First, I’d like to thank you for reaching out to me. It’s truly a privilege. Discovering my purpose has been a gradual journey, shaped not by a single revelation but by a series of moments where creativity, joy, and self-reflection came together to reveal what truly moves me. Read more>>

Faith Pacholczyk

I have always been someone who wants to be a part of transformation. Whether that has been working with people, organizations, or aesthetics, there is a remarkable part of seeing something as it was, come into its full potential. I have done many different jobs from ministry to international development and now design. Having the opportunity to be a part of developing beauty is the common denominator that has always pulled me into work. Refinishing antique furniture started as a hobby for those same reasons! It quickly transformed into a passion, job, and now a larger scope with home styling as well. I used to be one way, and now I am different because of the love of Christ. Read more>>

Cadence Otc

I found my purpose when I realized that my skills in science and business could be channeled toward making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Initially, my curiosity about biology and nature led me to study at UCSD and work at the Salk Institute, but I soon discovered that lab research wasn’t where I could make the broadest difference. After years in the pharmaceutical industry, I became disillusioned with incremental advancements in medicine and longed for work that could truly improve lives. The turning point came when I met Nap Hosang, who was working on moving The Pill over-the-counter. His mission resonated deeply with me, and I knew this was where I could make a real difference. Read more>>

Stefany Wampler-sauseda

In 2018, everything changed. I welcomed my beautiful daughter, Maddie, into the world, and with her arrival, I found a new light inside of me—a new purpose. Prior to becoming a mother, I was thriving in my Supply Chain hospital career, climbing the ladder with ambition and dedication. But after Maddie was born, I found myself at a crossroads. I was so ready to embrace motherhood, but leaving behind my career wasn’t an overnight decision for my husband and I. It was the kind of career I had worked hard for, the one that had defined so much of my identity up until that moment. Yet, I couldn’t ignore the pull to create something of my own—a way to integrate my passions for creativity, family, and community. Read more>>

Harley Pringle

As strange as it sounds, I found my purpose in the desire of something that wasn’t there. I pursued education in themed entertainment and animation because I wanted to create a world where others felt safe and inspired, something I rarely had growing up. I started a business for LGBTQ+ communities because one of my old coworkers and friends rarely saw their own identity in something as simple as a sticker. From personal longing to hearing the struggles and wishes around me, my passion was forged to fuel my purpose that everyone should be seen. Read more>>

Amy Haren

I found my purpose about seven years ago when I was taking care of my dad. I was in my late 20s and was his primary caregiver. He had dementia and was handicapped after breaking his shoulder and hip in a fall. My Dad was my world, my whole life and seeing him struggle was devastating to me. I fell into a horrible depression and struggled with suicidal thoughts. I finally recognized that I needed to find a way to better take care of myself in order to also take care of him. I took my first class at Hot Yoga 4 You (now Hot Yoga Sarasota). Developing a yoga practice was life changing for me. It allowed me to calm my mind and strengthen my body. It made me feel empowered and was an outlet to help me cope with my situation at home- I would forget everything for those 60 minutes. Read more>>

Quantrell Kemp

There were many ways how I find my purpose. Which was learning more about myself as a person, developing different skill sets, and creating good habits to build from and having the ability to always want to learn more about the my craft. Read more>>

Chris Wu

It’s a fair question, but honestly, it’s one that stumps me. Because the answer is a bit of a moving target. There’s this whole idea that “finding your purpose” is a grand, heroic moment of clarity—like you’re walking down the street, minding your own business, and suddenly a bolt of lightning strikes, you hear a chorus of angels and boom, you know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing with your life. And I find that a bit of a trap. Read more>>

Dk Wright

I wouldn’t say I “found” my purpose in the traditional sense. To be honest, I never set out with a grand plan or a single calling. It wasn’t about chasing a lifelong dream or sticking to a script. If anything, I’m proof that you don’t need that narrative  to stay motivated. What has always driven me, though, is the pursuit of honest critique. After all, what good is anything if only I believe in it? Read more>>

Danni Martin

Finding my purpose was something I have thought a lot about since I was a small child. When I was 8 or 9, I remember regularly lying in my bed before falling asleep staring at the ceiling asking myself, “Why am I here? What am I here to do?” It has always been in the back of my mind. Read more>>

Sophia Green

I don’t think you find your purpose. I believe your purpose finds you. You just need to be in right place for it to find you. Life is always changing so your purpose can also change.
My purpose found me through my art. It helped me to find my voice.
Life is not a straight path. There’s dips and flows, sometimes you’re up and sometimes your down.
I think the trick is to not get discourage from the journey. Read more>>

Christina Jones

Wow where do I begin. I found my purpose through the joy and smiles of children and their families! Founding Academy of Creatives has been such a blessing and each day it reminds me of why I am here to serve a purpose and use my creativity to help serve that purpose. Read more>>

Corey Hucko

To find your purpose feels like a huge claim at age 30 but I do feel like I am finally on the right track! I can (finally, comfortably) call myself an artist. Ultimately I’ve learned to trust myself and my gut which has led me on a journey beyond my wildest dreams. Like answering questions for Bold Journeys! Read more>>

Andy Myers

Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to be of service to others. I felt my life purpose was helping others to overcome challenges while providing them inspiration and hope. I found Social Work an appropriate fit, so that was my college major. Little did I know it was merely the first step of a very long journey. In November of 2006, I endured a near-death experience that profoundly altered the direction of my life. In the aftermath of that experience, I found that my intuition was heightened, and I had a newfound curiosity about the spiritual realms. I began sensing or “knowing” things about complete strangers. With a background in mental health, I feared the worst and wondered if I was having delusions or hallucinations.  Read more>>

Sonnia Brown

As a Black girl from West Philadelphia, I discovered my true purpose in the heart-wrenching moment when I recognized the profound absence of resources in my community for processing grief and loss. As a therapist and a family member and friend of several victims of gun violence, I know firsthand how devastating it can be when sorrow goes unacknowledged. While the experience of mourning is universal, the support often is not. It pains me deeply to witness families and communities striving to heal while their heartache remains silent and unvalidated. Growing up in a neighborhood where so many have experienced the ravages of violence, I felt a calling—a desire to bring compassion, understanding, and a safe space for healing to those who are suffering. Read more>>

Erica Long

I found my purpose during a time of significant life transitions. While recovering from a severe foot injury I was forced to slow down my life, find mentors, an online community, and reflect on how I was showing up in my life. I was not able to walk for months and was in extreme pain. It was the beginning of my mindfulness practice and a commitment to showing up for myself. I continued navigating major life changes, including a career shift, caring for my sick dog, a break-up, the loss of my grandmother and purchasing a new home. It was during this transformative phase that I discovered ThetaHealing®. The practice resonated with me deeply, accelerating my growth and allowing me to trust in the Creator of All That Is to remove limiting beliefs and energetic blocks, enabling me to heal and move forward with clarity and confidence. Read more>>

Megan Sweet

It took A LOT of moving around and career switching to figure out my purpose. I think a lifetime of not knowing what I was truly meant to be doing has helped. Sometimes, I find my self wishing I was one of those people that knew what career I wanted right away. However, if I didn’t have all the experiences I had I would not have a toolbox of transferable skills. My Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Theater. I thought I was going to become a radio disc jockey or work in some sort of tv/film production. Now here I am at 47 having dual Master’s Degrees in Couple and Family Therapy and School Counseling. I guess you just never know where life is going to take you! Read more>>