Core to our mission is helping our audience and community reach their full potential and the most important part of reaching your full potential is starting to find your purpose. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from the community around how various folks found their purpose and we hope it helps you in your journey.
Basi Affia
Purpose is a loaded word. Most people think of a single culmination of everything they’ve experienced to serve some greater goal. While that moment exists, and is easily missed, we all have multiple purposes in life. As a father and husband, my purpose is to protect and provide for my family. As a follower of Christ, my purpose is to love my neighbor and love God. When I was in the Army my purpose was to uplift and ensure the spiritual fitness of my soldiers and be a moral compass. Read more>>
Sierra Graves
I love this question! Let me tell you it’s a journey. 🙂 For me, I had to define what purpose was before I could then live a life of purpose. The best way I heard purpose described was by the Owner and Founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely. She said “purpose is the intersection of… 1.) What do you enjoy? 2.) What are you good at? and… 3.) How do you want to serve the world? Read more>>
Fran Braga Meininger
I’ve had many passing interests and a number of professional iterations since leaving college in 1976. But the common thread, and when I knew I was at my best was when I was serving others. It took a series of stumble starts and a healthy dose of introspection to understand what I needed and to finally focus on a career in nonprofit administration. Read more>>
Ian Fohrman
I don’t believe that we “find” purpose as much as create it. I tend to be drawn towards existentialism – but with a hopeful twist. Even though I don’t believe in any inherent purpose to life, there to be discovered, I have seen what it looks like for people to create purposeful lives. I believe purpose is subjective and defined by each person’s particular values. However, a few themes seem to be remarkably consistent. They almost always involve giving to others, connecting to something bigger than one’s self (nature, community, art, religion), and/or creating something. Read more>>
Sally Kuzemchak
I first became interested in nutrition after gaining the fabled Freshman 15 in college and consulting with a registered dietitian, who taught me that my steady diet of bagels, pizza, and vanilla soft-serve was, well, not exactly the road to good health. After working as an editorial assistant in Self magazine’s nutrition department after graduation, I embarked on a career as a freelance writer and returned to school to become a dietitian, eventually earning my Master’s degree as well. Read more>>
Yoram Solomon
What a great question! We often pressure children to find “what they will do when they grow up” too early in life. I started my professional career in engineering. I started it when I went to a technical high school, learning electronics and later focusing on computers. I was amazed by what computers could do. It was the early days of computers, before the PC. I worked in that field for many years until I decided to get a law degree. It surprised everyone because it had nothing to do with engineering. Read more>>
Tommy Schneiders
I floated around the Engineering progam at the University of Colorado and could never quite make things “click.” My grades were suffering and it did not make sense to continue down the path I was on. My parents recognized that I had ended my engineering career developing computer games. They had the forisight to say, “Hey, what if you take the math and science out of what you’re doing and focus on the story? You’re already the only 20 year old we know who still watches cartoons.” Read more>>
Judith Machelle Pugh
Finding my purpose after losing my only son on April 27, 2019 was an immensely challenging journey. He was not sick, nor terminally ill but tragically taken away from our family. Sgt. Christopher A. Pugh, II was a vibrant 23 year old with a promising future. Sgt. Pugh was stationed at Ft. Sill, OK at the time he was killed. He was hanging out at an establishment outside the Army base which was operated by active duty and retired Army personnel with his battle buddies. Read more>>
Dottie Salamone
I found my purpose when I became a hair stylist. It allowed me to open up and show my authentic self to other people. Hair is my safe space. It’s creative and transformative. I love that I get to share such a powerful thing with others. It’s not just about being talented at what you do. There’s a certain energy that pours out of me when I do hair that I don’t find as often in my everyday life. I love having deep meaningful conversations with my clients. Read more>>
Nadine Béyond (Elaine Aikens)
It may sound cliche but I feel like my purpose found me. Better yet, it was already inside of me, just waiting on me to realize it. I started to ask myself some easy questions, which were not as easy to me of course. Who am I? What do I like? What do I enjoy? I also went to God about my purpose because I was tired of wandering aimlessly. I gathered that purpose isn’t just what I’m able to DO, it’s who I AM. So yes, Nadine is a poet and a model. Yes, she’s an actress and an author. Nadine’s purpose is to be an artist. But behind Nadine is Elaine. And Elaine has been through so much in her 29 years of life, so much that it would’ve taken the average person out. So I made the decision to have unyielding faith. Read more>>
Kristi Hughes
When I was in my 20’s, I thought finding My Purpose was something I had to “Chase” but as I matured, I realized my Purpose was within me and I needed to figure out how to best use my Passion and Skills to achieve my goals. Finding my Purpose has been a life-long journey, I had to figure out what I really cared about, what matters to me, what strengths do I naturally possess, what is my true talent. Read more>>
Chip Haynes
Well, it was either do something or just sit there, and boy did THAT get boring fast. I taught myself to juggle forty years go and performed at that for some years. That led to making movies for television that led to writing books that I didn’t have to worry about how to film. So it was all sort of long, drawn-out streamlining process and now I’ve written over seventy books. Sometimes I think my purpose is to simply listen to the voices in my head and write down everything they say. Read more>>
Montrey Deal
Growing up, my family was always on the move, and the uncertainty of not knowing how long we would stay in one place left a lasting impact on me. Stability became a precious commodity, and it wasn’t until I became the second person in my family to purchase a home that I truly understood the incredible feeling of security that comes with ownership. Read more>>
Debra Mosley
As a child, I found peace in movement and joy in serving others. My mother was ill when I was very young. Taking care of her was 2nd nature to me. Although I’ve been a RN professionally for 20 years, I still possess the same traits of tlc that I had back then, today when I care for my patients. Read more>>
Diego Rimbaud
Just by music itself, music is everything in this world, at least for me. Just by living, experiencing and hearing and constantly falling in and out of love. Read more>>
Phil Rice
Finding my purpose began with a childhood dream. I remember watching TV late at night, visualizing myself in the shows I was watching. One day, I told my mom I wanted to be an actor. Little did I know, that conversation would lead to a Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit show that changed my life. Read more>>
Chosephine Baker
I grew up an on only child to a hard working single mother. Born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Atlanta round 9. Being in a new state, with no family or friends, I did what i always loved doing when playing by myself, I played with my dolls. I loved styling their hair as well getting my thick hair pressed out by my mother. Read more>>
Gerard Furbershaw
During my childhood, my family relocated to an expanding suburban housing development. I witnessed homes at various stages of construction ranging from only the foundation to wood framing to fully completed houses. As electrical conduit, plumbing and exterior sheathing was added to the 2×4 wood framing, it appeared to me as though nerves, blood vessels and skin were growing around an organism’s skeleton. Experiencing this building process sparked my interest in architecture and planted the seed of a potential career path. Read more>>
Susan Onysko
I would like to think I have found my purpose, but I also think it’s possible to have different purposes at different stages in our life. I started out in photography wanting to take better photographs of my children. My husband gave me my first digital camera and sent me to a travel photography workshop where I got hooked on creating amazing travel images and also greatly improved the photographs I took of my kids. Read more>>
Jasmine Joann
I found my purpose when I had my two boys. My passion became more clear as I was nurturing and supporting my kids. It’s important for me to embrace their every need, provide love, guidance, and a stable environment for their growth. My role as their mom is something that I am very passionate about and it’s the most important job I have. It involves me being present, attentive, and understanding. I wake up everyday wanting to be better for them. Read more>>
Sejal Brownlee
Finding my purpose was a journey that evolved over the years, shaped by my experiences, education, and personal interests. I discovered my passion for empowering individuals and helping them unlock their full potential. This passion became the driving force behind the creation of Endless Consultants and Life Coaching, where I have dedicated years to guiding and uplifting clients through their unique journeys. Read more>>
Jason Welsh
Through lifes ups and downs I’ve learned to move forward and keep on going no matter what. I was born premature and spent the fist 9 weeks of my life in an incubator next to my identical twin brother Joey. My grandparents raised us and was very active in the Baptist church. My Papaw was a minister and so for most of My childhood I was in a church whether it be while He was preaching or in the family gospel band. Read more>>
Margaret Orlando
Finding one’s purpose can be a daunting task, but it is a journey that is worth taking. As the owner and operator of DAMO BBQ, Danny and Maggie Orlando have found their purpose by combining their love of Texas-style BBQ with Danny’s Italian heritage. The journey to finding one’s purpose can be unique for each individual. For Danny and Maggie, it all started with their passion for cooking and sharing their love of food with others. Read more>>
Malika Burieva
During the pandemic in 2020, I lost people in my family. My uncles and my grandpa. My immediate family resides in Uzbekistan, while my parents are with me in the U.S. Before the summer of 2023, I never visited Uzbekistan. I didn’t understand the true meaning of family for a long time since I was never exposed to my family members. Read more>>
Morgan O. Smith
Finding my purpose was a transformative journey that began with a spiritual awakening in 2008 which led to a crucial milestone that marked a pivotal moment in 2019 that completely changed the trajectory of my life. This phenomenal awakening which is referred to as Turiyatitta opened my eyes to the possibilities of further inner peace and self-realization, leading me down a path of deep introspection and change. Read more>>
Jean Fallacara
Finding my purpose, I will say my IKIGAI, was a journey that unfolded over years, intertwining my personal experiences with my professional endeavors. It began with a deep-seated curiosity about the human body and the potential to enhance our wellbeing through biohacking. This curiosity was not just academic; it was personal, driven by a desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible in human health and longevity. Read more>>
Tami Smith
I feel I found my purposed because I paid attention to what gave me joy and what I was very passionate about. I truly feel God blesses everyone with a passion and the difference is some tap into it, some don’t and some may even feel it’s no big deal. Read more>>
Stephen Spence
Some people are fortunate enough to find their life’s purpose at a young age but unfortunately, for me, I’m not one of those people. I just recently discovered my life’s purpose within the last three years. Once you discover your purpose in life, there’s an unexplainable feeling that comes over you. It’s an overwhelming feeling and an “ah ha” moment at the same time. You begin to evaluate your past immediately. Read more>>
Klaudia Paletta
I began my meditation and yoga practice in my early 30s, to help me manage my anxiety. My practiced helped me feel more balance and at ease in my every day life. It was during the tumultuous year of 2020, marked by the onset of the pandemic, that these practices became my anchor, grounding me amidst uncertainty. Read more>>
Oracle Laura
When I was age 2 my father explained I’m psychic and that I inherited the gift from his mother. At age 3 my parents took me to several spiritualists who all told them I’ll grow up to be a very important wise teacher and leader. But like any child you follow your own path, so it wasn’t until I was age 42 that I decided to follow that destined path from my childhood, and only because I kept receiving spirit messages about it and those kept repeating. So I went to visit my first psychic on my own. Read more>>
Julius Tolbert
Interestingly enough, I found my purpose by “becoming” the person I always needed. Growing up I had a rather unique set of circumstances that forced me to develop skills that I wouldn’t truly understand the importance until a lot later in life. It was a mixture of entrepreneurial prowess, compassion but also levels of abuse. Read more>>
Zumbambico
At a very early age, when I was given art supplies and experienced the joy of creating something with my hands. Read more>>
Drew Tye Ruby-Howe
My art practice is really fueled by my desire to create intentional space, breath, and healing where we need it most. I believe in the liberation of visual expression and for me, it’s ever-evolving manifestation through the physical and emotional. In that vulnerability, I think we are most powerfully positioned to capture the ephemeral beauty of our lived moments and from that beauty, find greater purpose. Read more>>
Brian Weathers
I think I’m still developing my purpose! I always knew I wanted to play music, specifically drums. Ever since I was a kid, I knew I loved it. I’ve played my entire life, many performances, many recordings, and I still continue. In regard to interior design, I actually realized that while working in the music industry. Roughly twelve years ago, I began this journey. I always consumed myself with hospitality and residential design. It was just an appropriate career to enter into next. I loved the materiality of it. Read more>>
Christopher Wealth
What’s up my g, the way that I found my purpose was through modeling and fashion. It came to me easily, but with a doubt this is something that I know for a fact that this is what I wanted to do, ya dig what I’m saying. From studying Japanese fashion in high school, to watching ASAP Rocky, Pharrell, Jeremy Scott, and lil Uzi, to doing project on Maison Margiela in college and discovering Pyer moss I know that I wanted to leave an impact on the modeling and fashion world. Read more>>
Chris Hare
From the time I was a little kid I’ve had a massive imagination. I think I drove my mom crazy because every day I had like five different things I wanted to be when I grew up and I wanted her to be equally excited about all of them. My creativity wasn’t recognized or honored as a kid and so I ended up going down a path that I thought would make other people happy. Read more>>
Dalai Guzman
Honestly I found it by mistake, I was having fun with makeup and from one moment to another I was receiving a lot of classes. I feel that was the best way because I’ve never been into makeup myself, but for sure it was a surprise that I learned pretty quick. Read more>>
Randi J Norman
Purpose: the seemingly ever elusive little word with BIG meaning in our lives. It’s the thing that we are all chasing after and looking for to make our lives make sense, hoping that it will serve as a compass to guide us. Well, I was like everyone else once – looking for my purpose. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I was seeking His guidance to help me discover my purpose and His plan for my life. Read more>>
Anita Yan Wong
I am an Artist and Art Professor, I have found my purpose through Art creations. My artworks has been dealing with the role of “Contemporary Traditional” art form (in particular preserving and pushing the boundaries of Traditional Lingnan Style Chinese Painting to the next level) in the Informational Art age. Read more>>
Brianne Rehak
I genuinely love making charcuterie boards. I find so much joy in each creation, this is truly a passion project at this point. Finding my purpose has been a very personal journey. When I started making boards this was just for fun, a hobby. I found that the demand was there which ultimately pushed the hobby into a real business. Read more>>
Catalina Gonzalez
Growing up in Colombia, a third-world country marked by daily poverty, profoundly shaped my worldview. However, it was my move to America for college that ignited a transformative shift in perspective. Witnessing the stark contrast between the two worlds fueled a deep-seated desire to contribute positively. I felt a genuine calling to address the challenges faced by women and children in my home country. Read more>>
Leah Chambers
My purpose continues to evolve, but at its core, it’s about living authentically, sharing my talents, and contributing positively to those around me. That being said, how I was able to find and connect with my purpose happened in a way I wasn’t expecting. Read more>>
Rachel King
I am not sure if I have completely overcome imposter syndrome. For me, I am always trying to be the best version of myself that I can. This means, as I grow and improve professionally, financially, and personally, I find myself feeling unworthy in changing circumstances. However, I have learned how to give myself the grace to feel the feelings of imposter syndrome, but also to remind myself that I am worthy. Read more>>
Jennifer Ashira Ra
I was standing in my clothing brands office and preparing for our next season. and a voice came over my shoulder, ” enjoy this it’s your last year doing this “. I was in total burnout, exhausted and depleted. My body was broken down and I had just received a really difficult test result. Read more>>
Eboni Upshaw
I found my purpose by noticing the way I made a person feel after meeting me for the first time. I realized pretty early on that I had an outgoing personality, I didn’t meet a stranger, and that I loved people. Now as I’m older, I see more clearly how happy I make those around me. I also realized how much I enjoy seeing people happy. This is why I chose my profession; my corporate profession and my passion. Read more>>
Brakanah 44
I found that i could communicate my thoughts into music. Like if am talking about life and everything i could make someone out there feel good that someone out here notices to there struggle. Am more of an empath who breathes life into his projects. Read more>>
Martha Delmore
On some level, my purpose is continually evolving. That said, it is rooted in joy and connection, which have become cornerstones of my life. It is so easy to look at the world and feel hopeless. But it is also possible to look closer and recognize the beauty in each other and the world around us. Whether it is parenting, building our business, or adventuring, my life is better if I can slow down and invite joy in. Read more>>
Zenobia Cardwell
The 125 Black Women Initiative or 125BW in 2022 was started while H4 Creative Firm Founder and CEO, Zenobia Cardwell was working in Richmond City Public Schools in the mental health field. She noticed how a simple “Good Morning” or “Have A Good Day!” with a smile could shift the day of a middle schooler who may not have made contact with anyone else that morning. Read more>>
Sivan Hong
Writing books for neurodivergent children started with my family’s own journey into the world of neurodiversity. I have ADHD. For me, my discovery didn’t come through typical routes, it wasn’t a result of struggling in school or work (even though looking back now, those challenges should have made my diagnosis very apparent). Read more>>
Laniece Listens
I didn’t stumble upon my purpose; it sort of found me during those moments when I took a breather and reflected. During some of my hardest moments, there was only one thing that consistently filled me back up, that one thing I was never too tired or too busy to do and that was serving women. Read more>>
Habekkuk (Bek), Kamari (Kam) Curry, Harding
Honestly, I believe purpose is not just something we find but also something that finds us. It’s not an occurrence to us but rather for us. I would say that our purpose found us when we felt like we had nothing left to give. We knew we were meant for greatness; we just didn’t know what that looked like or was at the time. Read more>>
