How did you find your purpose?

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.

Shreya Paliwal

I often get asked how I ended up designing for healthcare. The truth is—it wasn’t always my purpose. Like many others, I didn’t start with one clear goal in mind. My purpose has evolved over time, and it continues to do so as I learn and grow. At the start, I struggled with being a “jack of all trades.” I explored different design disciplines, constantly learning and discovering new things. It felt overwhelming at times—how could I find that one purpose? Eventually, I realized it wasn’t about finding a single, shining purpose but about embracing multiple passions and finding ways to integrate them into my life. Read more>>

Jennifer Foley

Like many people finding my purpose took some time. Developing health issues at the age of 25 led me down a road of self exploration. Starting with medical doctors I knew that something wasn’t right. Diving into nutrition and its affect on the body, I started to notice a difference in my health issues. I started to focus on eating healthy, experimenting with healthy recipes and eventually sharing my recipes with others that were interested in changing their lifestyle through nutrition. Read more>>

Yadi Liu

I have always loved art—not just illustration, but any form that allows me to express my sense of inner beauty. As a child, I enjoyed doodling and drawing on paper. Later, I gradually realized that I felt truly free only when I picked up a pencil. I started by drawing cute cartoon girls and beautiful clothing, and this interest slowly extended to the female body, its curves, and shapes. I needed a special outlet to express the beauty of the female form that I held in my heart, and drawing became the most natural and skillful way for me to do so. Read more>>

Meredith Gruenes

Like life itself, finding your purpose often requires going through trials and tribulations. Each time we face these challenges, how we respond reveals our true character. It’s through these obstacles that we develop resilience. For me, resilience has come from accepting that I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s perfectly okay. My art is mine, a reflection of my unique vision, and I’ve learned to let it speak for itself without constantly seeking validation. Imposter syndrome? It’s something we all face, not just me. Read more>>

Shay Natural

I was the one that would Google, “what is my purpose?” I was the one that felt lost, directionless & unsure of my way. I was the one that was crazing meaning and a deeper connection with a Source that’s higher than me. I was the one searching & seeking outside of me for my purpose, for connection, for that deeper meaning of life. Eventually, I questioned myself “who am I?” That question alone sent me on an inward journey of uncovering & discovering the me at the core of me. The me underneath the layers of indoctrination.  Read more>>

Sandalina Sattar

The phenomenon of self-actualization has sent me into deep spirals and thought loops throughout my life. Even after years of deep introspection and intentional decision making, I wouldn’t quite say that I have it all figured out. The last thing I want to do is create a false conception of my having found my purpose, because the reality is, I still don’t know where I’m meant to end up. But at the very least, I’ve learned to follow the signs that come along on this journey. Read more>>

Andrew Roberts

It took me a pretty long time to find my professional purpose. I have been working in entertainment for over 30 years and, if you told my 25 year old self, teaching would be my priority, I’d have said you were way off base. But, just like being a dad, I found my purpose in education the second I realized that my students’ successes and failures are far more important than my own, that’s how I knew I had found my place in the world. Teachers often talk about the “lightbulb moment” where you can see when a student understands a concept; it’s what every teacher lives for.  Read more>>

Jannel Rap

When I was three years old I thought I knew my purpose. My first performance introduced me to the love of sharing music with a knowing that my share had to align with making a difference. In my search for that combination, I connected with causes, wrote lyrics that I hope lifted and pledged to be generous with my love. Yet, the purpose that seemed so easy to define at three, evaded me for many years. Then, purpose appeared with the vengeance when my sister, Gina Bos disappeared. Purpose hit me with such sad irony that it was difficult to verbalize. How do you say that your sister disappeared, so you could find your purpose? You don’t. Read more>>

Mike Garcia

As long as there are people on our planet, there will be differences of opinion. This has led to the many different political and religious factions! Democrat or Republican, Evolution or Creation? Our world is so divided. And yet, we don’t have to look too far to see the issues of commonality that we all share. All mankind needs air to breathe and water to drink. We need food and shelter. We need companionship and exercise to live a full life. Food seems to be at the top of the list because food can make us healthy or kill us. Read more>>

Andres Barreiro

I grew up watching my mom create wedding, quinceañera and birthday cakes for families from all walks of life. I also grew up watching my dad work a full time job and still sacrificing his weekends and free time to support my moms vocation and goals. She and my dad would would make it their number one priority and dedicate countless hours to giving the customer top tier quality for their special event no matter who they were or where they came from. This dream became Potpourri of Silk, a cake shop in the Bishop Arts district of Oak Cliff in Dallas. Growing up seeing this and experiencing this was the beginning of me finding my purpose. Read more>>

Dr. Latia Phillips-bey

In the tapestry of life, adversity often weaves the most transformative threads. My journey began in the depths of struggle, where I faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. It was within these trials that I discovered a profound truth: healing is not just a destination; it is a powerful journey that shapes our purpose.

Daryl Schwartz

I think my purpose has evolved over many years and the purpose has changed given the period of time in my life. For instance, when I was in my early-mid 20s, I really wanted to expand access to organic foods, so I started a Organic meal delivery company in 2004 that was very much like what we see with companies such as Blue Apron or Freshly. With Good + Bar, I had gotten to a point in my life in 2018 where I was really done with drinking and yet was unwilling to give up my social life. When I looked around at my options, there werent any, so figured I had to build it. Read more>> 

Preet Johal

I wasn’t actively searching for my purpose—I didn’t even know what that truly meant. I was simply living life, fulfilling all the roles and responsibilities assigned to me by my parents, husband, and society. I’ve always worked hard, going above and beyond to ensure the happiness and comfort of those around me. As I juggled raising two wonderful kids, running a business full-time, and navigating a marriage with a narcissistic partner, I reached a point where I was constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected. Read more>>

Ryan Collins

Fortunately for me, I found my purpose in life at a pretty young age: making films. When I was 8 years old, I saw a fantastic movie called “Super 8”, directed by J.J. Abrams. In the film, the kids were making their own short movie, and that instantly inspired me. I used my birthday money to buy a cheap camera from CVS and started making films with my friends in the neighborhood. This sparked my love for filmmaking. Read more>>

Nicole Szymczak

I’m not sure I can confidently say I have! All I know is that I’m supposed to be around people and supporting them. I was a cosmetologist for 13 years where I got to walk along side so many in their journey of life, Now, owning my own business, I support 40+ small businesses from in and around my community. Read more>>

Brandon Cole

For me, my purpose was something I always knew. I thank God it was made known for me at a young age. Growing up there has been clouds of doubt, but the feeling of not measuring up to my purpose has been overfilled beyond its capacity with moments in life that assures I’m here doing exactly what I was born to do: live, love, learn, and laugh. Longing for simplicity. Read more>>

Gavin Tye

I’ve been working in sales for many years, and the way I was taught to sell always felt slightly wrong. It was when I entered the B2B SaaS industry in 2015 that I realised why. As salespeople, we are told that effort is what will make us successful. Yes, that is true to some degree, but what really matters is whether we can use our words and knowledge to influence a buyer to want to buy what we are selling. Read more>>

Simran Cherayil

My journey has been winding. Deep down, I always knew my passion, but I never considered it as a career. Everyone expected me to be a dancer, and I wanted to carve my own path. So, I pursued a Bachelor’s in Mass Media and began working in film production and direction, fortunate to collaborate with talented directors like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane. However, a knee injury forced me into a desk job, and dancing felt far removed from my life. Read more>>

Coral Esparza

In 2013, I sought holistic therapy after an auto accident left me with a neck injury, resulting in persistent pain and headaches that only temporarily eased with medication. As a Dental Assistant in Hawaii, I was determined to explore alternative treatments. I discovered a wellness center that offered a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and massage therapy—none of which I had tried before. Read more>>

Lawrence & Breanna Macalpine

I found my purpose in sourdough baking through Sharing sourdough with others. It was less about a moment of discovery and more about the gradual realization that this craft connected me to my roots and brought me joy, the joy of sharing my creations with others. Read more>>

Karyssa Michelle

I found my purpose after hitting rock bottom. In my lowest moments, I realized that my losses were actually opportunities for growth. Instead of staying stuck in my pain, I chose to dive deep into personal development. Through my healing journey, I discovered that my true calling is to empower other women. My purpose became clear: to help women overcome self-doubt, find inner peace, and rebuild their confidence, just as I had done for myself. Read more>>

Wanda Kelly

I feel like finding your purpose is a life long journey that requires a lot of self reflection and soul searching. I have went through so much in my personal life that it took years of healing and overcoming a lot of obstacles to get to where I am today.I have worked in so many different fields and industries but never felt happy or fulfilled. Once I started baking I knew it was something that I wanted go do long term. Read more>>

Sean Glatch

I knew that I wanted to be a writer by the time I was in high school. Poetry in particular offered a form of safety and salvation that I still haven’t found elsewhere: it allowed me to organize my pain and experiences into an art that captured all the difficulty of being a queer, neurodivergent boy in an unfriendly world. So, by the time I went to college, I figured this was my purpose: to write. Read more>>

Nicole Londot

Finding my purpose has been a journey. In many ways, I feel that I have had many purposes in my life. Purposes that have led me to challenges I didn’t know I needed. Purposes that taught me lessons that guided me in new directions. For me, photography has always been a way of life. I have grown up around it as my dad was a professional photographer and my mom has many creative talents herself. My life was immersed in creativity from day one. Read more>>

Dominique Davis

I found my purpose by first finding my passion. I tried many different things in my life in the healthcare sector; case management, care coordination, discharge planning, and even nursing. I then found my purpose by going toward what felt “right” and what made me feel happy while doing it. I didn’t always think that way. I spent many years doing work that felt like work and what I felt like I should be doing. Everytime I spent time helping mamas, babies, families and being in the community, it felt like “home”.  Read more>>

Sherri Jones

As a child I began hiding in boxes built of self-imposed expectations. I lost real me in the “shoulds,” the “if I try hard enoughs”, “the sameness” and the smiles. I built self-imposed mental and emotional boxes burying my soul for much of my young life. A lifeline of unconditional love was the beginning of my journey out of the boxes toward living as an artist, storyteller and teacher. Embracing the boundless grace of unconditional love has guided me on a journey to discover that Divine Love patiently waits for us to notice, inviting us to be held in its embrace.  Read more>>

Marty Schnurr

I have been in production my entire career, working for network television and major publications and while it has been a challenging and rewarding journey to date, my purpose didn’t start to unfold until I wanted to create for myself. That is the moment that photography entered my life and instead of creating solely for others, I was creating for myself and how I see the world. It is something that will be with me now forever. Read more>>

Marci Allen

I have always loved music. My dad raised me on rock n’ roll which fueled my love even more, but I never knew what to do with it in the future. I knew music was a part of me, but how could I make a living doing it? I searched for other meanings and purposes. I did find one: motherhood. I didn’t know that would be my purpose in life, but it found me. When I was pregnant, I was so excited to meet my best friend and be a mom. Read more>>

Ashley Kohl

Everyone’s story is unique, and each one has the power to inspire. Whether you’ve faced challenges or celebrated triumphs, sharing your journey can make a difference in someone’s life. Your words can uplift, motivate, and even change the world. Read more>>

John Bevilacqua

That’s a slightly loaded question, as I believe there is a bit of craziness that helps push the purpose forward. That combination of madness and purpose allows me to continue to create. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Read more>>

Kellette

I genuinely adore this question. Personally, I didn’t have a clear sense of purpose initially. I believe that everyone possesses an inner drive that gradually influences our actions. I’ve heard many people say, “I discovered my purpose after… happened.” However, I feel that we all harbor interests, skills, and callings within us from the start. As we navigate life’s journey, we encounter predetermined obstacles that we must overcome to fulfill our destiny. During these transformative moments, our purpose becomes increasingly evident to us. Read more>>

Akeel Bernard & Muriel Foster

For me, purpose found its roots in the nonprofit sector, where I quickly recognized the untapped potential within early-stage organizations. As a Program Director for gBETA Houston and Chief Operations Officer of Intentionally BLCK, I’ve had the privilege of supporting startups and nonprofits, helping them navigate complex challenges, secure funding, and build sustainable programs. My purpose became clear as I realized my ability to connect the dots between vision and execution—whether by guiding a founder through a critical decision or helping a nonprofit exceed its grant deliverables. Read more>>

Curtis Deberg

After suffering on the job injuries, surgeries and physical therapy, I was placed on a disability retirement. I immediately felt the financial hardship. But I was alive and able to go back to work. Around November 2010, a fellow officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. I saw the devastation that the family and the department went through. At that moment, I felt like I needed to do something, but I was not sure what that was. I wasn’t even sure if one person could make a difference. I started researching non-profits, as I had no idea what to do or how to get started. Read more>>

Sean Nyambayo

From a young age, storytelling has always been an integral part of who I am. Whether it was through daydreams, scribbling in notebooks, or finding myself drawn to characters on screen, I knew I had a deep connection to narratives. Over time, this passion evolved from mere fascination into a drive to tell stories of my own—stories that challenge perspectives and evoke emotions. Now, as I reflect on my journey, I can clearly see how each step has led me to this point. Read more>>

Zac [boss] Foster [illustrations]

Even from a young age all I could picture myself doing was painting, or creating art. Anything that came from my hands and produced something that inspired people. Time and time again the struggle of making a name for my work has made me question the path I have chosen — or if the end goal would inevitably be worth it. Do I even have the skills or the mentality to accomplish such a great task? Throughout my career I have wondered if my approach was the correct one. Yet, no matter what route I’ve taken with art, with hobbies, or with [side] jobs they have all lead back to a career in art. Read more>>

Izzy Stone

As someone who does Past Life Regressions or QHHT, I have found that so many of us ask this question. I believe our purpose is what we want it to be. It evolves with us and never leaves us. So often we look outside of ourselves for answers but the answers always lie within. I found my purpose when I was 4 years old and I told my mom I wanted to help people. As I grew up I wanted to be a doctor, a vet, a therapist, and a nurse. I attended a medical magnet high school and instantly afterwards went into being a medical assistant. While the medical industry has its purpose, I didn’t find mine there. Read more>>

Annemarie Otanez

I looked 1st internally to understand who I was, what is important to me, and who in my circle plays a role in that. Once I was clear on that , I wrote it down and kept it on the forefront of my mind. Then everyone who I interacted with played one of 2 roles, they either support or detract. Based on that I find myself readjusting my circle and sometimes those who detracted where people who I thought were close to me. This is a hard paradigm because it requires sometimes brutal honesty with myself and actions that I didn’t necessarily want to take. BUT if I am in an unhealthy or toxic space, I can’t help those most important to me and I can’t have true self care and then my purpose is lost. This is not one time exercise, it is ongoing. My purpose is to be engaged in activities and with people who respect my peace. Read more>>