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.
Martina Thomas
My purpose was founded on my Passion for healthy hair! My slogan I live by is, ” There is a Purpose behind the Passion. I am passionate about healthy, long hair. I like to align my standards with Bae’s who feel the same as I do. The services I provide are not only keep up with the maintenance but train your hair with healthy routines that encourages growth. Read more>>
Amina Touray
Finding purpose is something I will do throughout my life. It is an ongoing odyssey. There are times when things have yet to fall into place – and in the midst of the noise, it’s hard to understand the perspective until they reveal and unfold at a later time – the right time. Read more>>
Ian “IC3rd” Cochran
As a kid growing up with autism, I really felt like an outcast. And all throughout Junior High School I was bullied to the point that I became suicidal. But come summer of 2015 I was asked if I wanted to go to a church summer camp. My response was for sure going to be “No” but the word “Yes” came out. To this day the only reason I can give for saying “Yes” is God spoke it for me. Read more>>
Chemaine Linnie
“How did you find your purpose?” This is a great question…it comes up regularly in conversation for me. Not necessarily “how” my purpose came to be, but more so, “WOW this is clearly your purpose in life” or “this is your gift”. Words I agree with deeply, for now, and of course a great compliment that I am very thankful for. Read more>>
Maks Gabriel
I found my purpose after a lot of trial and error. Basically, I tried many forms of musical artistry before figuring out that music production and songwriting is what I loved the most and that it was imperative that I master those crafts. From being the lead singer in a rock band to trying to write piano pop ballads, I tried many things early on not really knowing what would work for me. Read more>>
Norris and Luanna Cole
Finding our purpose didn’t happen over night. It has been a journey actually that has brought us to where we are now. We both are service driven individuals, and of course that helps when you are Innkeepers. We feel that if you can truly find a career or a job that doesn’t feel like “ work”( even though any job requires getting up and performing a task is work) and enjoying what you do. Read more>>
Morgen Villegas
I have really contemplated my answer to this question and tried to think of the “best” or “perfect” response. When I was growing up, I thought that if I was a perfect daughter, sister, friend, student etc, I would feel fulfilled and find my purpose. Of course this was not true and instead I found that my desire for perfection created more isolation and disconnect from any sort of meaningful experiences. Read more>>
Elena De Luca
Finding my purpose came about after a lot of introspection, reflection, life choices, circumstances and motivation. I really took the time to get to know myself living abroad and out of the comfort zone of where I grew up and I used that time to reflect on what really interests me and what my qualities are both personally and professionally and what I have to offer the world in terms of my creativity and skills. Read more>>
Tyler Scott
I have asked myself this question so many times and there really isn’t a good of an answer for this question. I think the best way to answer the question is to give you the back story of how I came to open my own antique lighting restoration company at 29 years old. I moved to Edmond Oklahoma after receiving my associates degree and an offer for a spot on the University of Central Oklahoma’s competitive cheerleading team. Read more>>
Chauncey Pelzer
I thank God my purpose found me honestly. I started out in Corporate Sales working for Cisco Systems selling high end computer networking equipment. Although I loved the pay and thought working for a Fortune 500 company was interesting – I didn’t quite feel like I was utilizing all the resources I had in my arsenal. Read more>>
Matthew Murias
My purpose is and my calling is to make bold music that leads people to Christ. I felt this calling in my spirits beginning when I was around 15 years old. I always knew I might make a career out of music but the specific calling to this style of music that I currently write and play with my band (Tierra Vacia), really started when I was very impacted and inspired by a pastor named Robin Bullock. Read more>>
Esha Shairmahomed
A couple years ago when I was pregnant with our first child, I was talking with my husband about setting examples for our (future) children. I was telling him I didn’t want to work just for the pay checks, but wanted to work and enjoy going to work every day. At the time I was working at an office job and decided that it was time to follow my passion; cutting men’s hair. Read more>>
Sydney Marie
My journey to becoming a wedding photographer started with self portraiture. I loved being able to create scenes and showcase emotion through self expression. From there, I moved onto photographing senior photos and concert photography. One of the bands I was photographing regularly, their lead singer was getting married and asked if I’d take photos at their wedding.. From there, something just clicked for me. Read more>>
Beth Connolly
I decided that I wanted to become a psychologist when I was in the sixth grade. Yes, that is correct. I was barely past the cusp of puberty, had not even graduated from elementary school yet, and I was directing myself toward the helping profession. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what motivated me to attach to the idea of a career in psychology. Like most evolving pathways, it developed out of a myriad of conditions and experiences. Read more>>
Stacey Pardoe
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of finding purpose in my life. As a teenager, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the cultural expectation to choose an undergraduate area of study in college. It seemed preposterous that I was supposed to know what I wanted to do with my entire life at such a young age. Read more>>
Katherin Sambache
It all started in medical school. It was always fascinating for me to know how the human body works, how our breathing works, how our heart keeps us alive, how from the union of two cells we become a machine that works perfectly and automatically. This was the reason that motivated me to study medicine. Read more>>
Carla Hamilton
I find purpose through my creative talents by using art as a platform to shed light on pressing social realities, advocate for change, and address important social issues such as systemic oppression and white supremacy. Through my art installations, I create immersive environments that highlight the struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC individuals, in today’s society. Read more>>
Frances Naudé
Finding my purpose was a long and windy road. I had always had my life very planned out — get good grades, go to college, join the family business in an entry level position, and work my way up to eventually lead the company. I did the first three items on my checklist, but after about 1 day in my entry level marketing job at my dad’s incredible company, I knew something was off. Read more>>
Isabel Black
I like to say that purpose found me. I didn’t even know I was missing or needing it in my life. In 2017, I found myself questioning everything about my existence. I found myself looking back and reflecting on all of the hard work sacrifice and dedication I had put in to pave a better path for my family. I so desperately wanted a better life for us all… the problem I would face is it didn’t appear anybody else was interested. Read more>>
Sheena Lance-Nold
“My mom is happiest when…never, nothing makes her happy.” As I read the words on the page I fought back tears. My 4 year old son had brought home a Mother’s Day assignment from Pre-K and this assignment was the wake-up call I needed. After seeing myself through my son’s eyes, I knew I needed to make some changes. Read more>>
Shakera Kemp
I truly believe that my purpose found me. I remember writing my college acceptance letter in high school and in my letter I expressed that I wanted to help people. At the time I was 18 years old and wanted to become a registered nurse. I ended up becoming a licensed cosmetologist at 29 years old instead. STILL on the path to helping people but in a different way. Read more>>
Dayana Aleksandrova
Finding your purpose can feel like a ton of pressure. And I believe that this is a realization that comes with time and through different life experiences. Your friends will play a huge role in this. Let me explain. Finding my purpose as a copywriter was easy – I had always volunteered for the school paper, got good grades on my essays, and had friends asking me to edit their stuff. Read more>>
Amber Bell
My purpose came from God first and foremost, my kids and my late great mother she passed away from Lupus. I was at home one day when I watched how staff treated her when she was in their care. I didn’t like how the services were cold she was always complaining about being cold. She also didn’t like the ride home so that gave me the drive to start Bell Transportation Services. Read more>>
Elise Baughman
Finding my purpose was quite a journey. I currently am a screen actor, voice talent, TV host, voice over coach, on-camera coach for executives, and a speaker. But let’s back up to where I started. I majored in accounting and earned my MBA. My first job out of college was working as a financial analyst in the defense industry. Read more>>
Noah Asher
My purpose was found in my pain. Years ago, I was incarcerated. I thought my life was completely over. I even tried taking my own life. I cried out, “God, if You love me, please let me die!” But here I am. It was when I stopped asking, “Why me?” and started asking God to “Use me!” that I began finding purpose again. Read more>>
Na’Shya Johnson
To be completely honest, I found my purpose after some very tragic events. After an attempt to take my own life and surviving it caused quite an awakening. Also seeing the look, fear and heartbreak i caused my mother essentially snapped me out of at least trying again. I used music after to express my deepest emotions and found it to be soothing as it gave me an outlet and a free’ing feeling. Read more>>
Emanuel Brown
So I never knew that music was my calling in the beginning. I had a creative bug before I even knew it. I used to draw growing up and could do really good photorealistic photos at the age of ten. I was fascinated by starting with a blank canvas and turning it into something. With that said I remember the first time I heard a Hip-Hop song which was a Dr. Dre song, I can’t remember the name of the song right now, but that made me start my transition into wanting to do music. Read more>>
Kemare Garner
Truthfully, I believe I knew what my purpose was before the age of 5. My parents use to tell me that at the age of 3, I already knew the type of materials I needed to sketch and paint without asking anyone for help. I’ve always been drawn to the pursuit of happiness. I believe that there is beauty in everything and everyone despite how at times that may be hard to see. Read more>>
Camila Castro
The question of purpose is one that I have spent a lot of time contemplating. Today, I recognize that I am a multi-passionate seeker keen to contribute my unique value to the world. But that didn’t always feel clear to me. In fact, I always felt envious of people who seemed to have everything figured out — the ones who, from a young age, just knew that they were going to be musicians or scientists or teachers, and that’s what they became. I felt like they had some secret knowing that, for some reason, had eluded me. Read more>>
Lynda Mota
My purpose is something that came later in life to me. I suppose it was always there in an unformed way. I always had an interest in health and alternative medicine, but my schooling and career developed in a different direction. Over the years I struggled to excel in a traditional business environment, always preferring to be more collaborative than putting myself out ahead of others, which is what it takes in that environment to get the promotions and opportunities. Read more>>
Kadi Nail
I have always desired to work in healthcare. My mother would always say, “Don’t be the nurse, be the doctor.” I had plans for medical school but decided to switch directions when having a family was more important to me. I research physician assistant, participated in cancer research, dentistry, ophthalmology until finally deciding that becoming a Nurse Practitioner would be the perfect fit for myself and my future family. Read more>>
Walter Sanders
Growing up I was always interested in music. Starting with my first drum set at five years of age. My father was a singer and Sax player. By the age of twelve I was an accomplished Drummer, Piano/Organ Player. My fav. entertainer besides my father was James Brown. At the age of eight I was able to see James Brown in person for the first time, accompanied by my parents and my neighbor Mr. Read more>>
Amanda Arrick
I always thought I would be in the science field forever. I had no idea that a lifetime of financial hardships and struggles would ultimately end up as a catalyst for my life’s passion. I was raised by a single mother in poverty. She was a high school dropout working multiple jobs to provide for both of us. We relied on government assistance and I was a latchkey kid as she worked over 15 hour days to make ends meet. Read more>>
Michele Mariscal
At some point, after several deaths and other losses, I recognized grief as a theme in my life. Having spent a great deal of time studying and being certified in several healing modalities it was clear to me that my purpose is to help others trying to understand the purpose of pain, and move through it. Having deep roots in a spiritual understanding I am also a deep thinker and go to my intellect first to try to solve a problem. Read more>>
Chandra Maharaj
I believe that I stumbled upon my purpose when I began to realize that there’s more to life than a just working the 9 to 5 grind. I said out to the universe, there must be more to life than just this! I am an Energy Healer/ Energy Medicine Practitioner today but wasn’t always aware of my potential. As I continue to question my existence I began to see things coming into my focus. My attention was brought to Reiki and later other modalities of Energy Healing. These modalities peeked my interest and I wanted more! Read more>>
Abshiro Tobe, Dahabe Yusuf, Bonni Abdurahman
Thank you for having us on the Bold Journey interview, it’s a pleasure to be here. When it comes to finding our purpose, it’s been a journey deeply rooted in understanding the needs and woes of our community. Through engaging with individuals and really listening to their stories, we began to recognize the pressing issues surrounding mental health, social justice, parent/child gap, and the unique challenges faced by east African Muslim communities. Read more>>
