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.

Aviv Goldsmith

In college, years ago, I promoted a few concerts. Some of it was experimental music and the artists encouraged some audience participation. Over a meal I told the musician that I had no musical talent and that obviously was not my calling. He asked me, “what is then”? I said “I dunno, I am good at organizing things”. Read More>>

Fredrick Arasanyin

Wow, that was an insightful and unexpected question. I remember being born into a wealthy and royal household, where I never truly had a sense of purpose. I never felt the need to reflect on what I wanted for myself or what goals I should pursue—until everything changed. When my parents, especially my father, faced hardships and lost their former glory, it was a turning point for me. Read More>>

Gape One

I found my purpose of being an artist while being a graffiti writer as a kid, though, I didn’t know it at the time. After high school I went on to college and left the graffiti writing behind, regardless of my missing it immensely. Read More>>

Kaye Formanes

Growing up in Queens, New York, I was surrounded by the sound of music. Whether be listening to songs in the car or hearing my Dad play his guitar or passing by street performers, music is a symphony of sounds. Read More>>

Kayla Simon

It all started when I was planning a baby shower and fell down the Pinterest rabbit hole, mesmerized by the beautifully decorated treats. Determined to recreate those picture-perfect sweets, I gave it a shot and to my surprise, I loved every part of the process. Read More>>

Madeline Evans

From a young age, I knew I loved and was energized by people. I volunteered every chance I could at school and church from elementary to high school, and, when I was old enough, started coaching summer team swim league and kid’s basketball. Read More>>

Mary Rose Sawicki

I’m one of the few lucky individuals that found my purpose relatively early in life. I was around 10 years old when I first fell in love with horses and 20 years later I have yet to fall out of that love. Through my teenage and college years when my peers were questioning what they were going to do with their lives, I certainly was not. I always knew I wanted to make a living in the horse industry. Read More>>

Raj, Rohan Sheth

Rohan and I found our purpose when we realized how much we loved tennis and wanted to share that joy with others. We grew up around the sport, watching our parents play and learning every chance we got. Over time, we began teaching tennis to autistic kids, and it became clear that we could make a real difference in their lives. Read More>>

Stephen Davis

My purpose is family, friends, and legacy. Always wanting to leave a mark on this world by helping others. Whether it be saving money, providing advice, or giving experiences, the joy of seeing others happy puts a smile on my face. Read More>>

Benjamin Hostetter

My purpose. Wow. There’s so much information and confusion about ‘finding a purpose’ out there.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned about “Finding my Purpose” is that there’s a difference between gifts and purpose. My purpose has nothing to do with my gifts. My purpose has to do with the why behind my gifts. Read More>>

Sadiya Ahmad

Well, as a child, one of the earliest questions that comes to mind is, why am I here? It’s a question often dismissed by adults as mere curiosity. Yet, this question lingers, sometimes even haunts us into adulthood. After all, nothing exists without purpose. Read More>>

Alexandra Diamond, Cst

To find one’s purpose has become a buzzy, competitive hook for selling workshops, books, organizational systems, and really anything that has to do with personal development. As if through a simple, ten-step protocol for $555 we could find a golden egg which carries the answers to all of life’s questions. Read More>>

Donna Cravotta

Finding my purpose has been a continuous process of finding home in all aspects of my life.

I had a hard childhood and always knew there was more.

I started working at 16, and through each job, I gained marketable skills and learned more about my strengths and how I could make a difference. It was always about making things better. Read More>>

Joe Josephs

I know it’s one of those cliche things, but I have always loved storytelling and the art of stories. I started reading very young. My mom says I was about three. I had to have every book and know everything. My aunt tells me that Moby Dick was my favorite story, but I have no memory of that at all. It sounds so funny though. Read More>>

Shelby And Ryan W/ Unearth Your Soul

Our purpose found us. Once we both experienced Breathwork we had this deep knowing we had to share it with as many people as possible. Read More>>

Shinobu Miyamoto

How I Found My Life’s Purpose

I moved from Kyoto, Japan, to Hawaii—starting completely from zero.
No family, no friends, and no sense of belonging. Read More>>

Virginia Prak

After losing my job in 2020 due to COVID-19, I wanted to make a drastic change in my life. Around that time, I found out that a couple of friends had moved out to Honolulu, Hawaii for a few months and had an extra room to rent out. Read More>>

Annabelle Camp

I found my purpose through the realization that the talents and gifts I possess are not for my own glory, but to reflect the love and grace of God. As it is written in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Read More>>

Jeannett martinez

I had 2 hip surgeries and went through menopause before I turned 40. As my own health issues began to evolve, I maxed out on the ability for insurance medicine to help me recover. Functional and regenerative medicine gave my body the help it needed to regain control of my life. Read More>>

Ashley Riccardi

After I finished my BFA, I was exhausted. Honestly, I was surprised that I even graduated. My persistent mental health issues, combined with a rigorous course load led to major burnout prior to my senior year. A horrible, horrible burnout. Read More>>

Dawn Hathaway Thoman

My purpose was born from adversity. I was an impoverished, abused, and neglected child. I overcame the odds and earned my law degree, always knowing that I ultimately wanted to help children. Read More>>

Karin Nahmani

My purpose in life and really my mission is gut health. I am creating a movement, a shift, in how we look and talk about gut health. Read More>>

Kelsie Hyden

My purpose in photography truly began when I had my firstborn daughter, Eliza. I had always loved taking pictures—my dad had a passion for photography and video, and growing up, I watched him turn his love for storytelling into a business. Read More>>

Melissa Frutig

I have always found true joy in creating art. I studied art in college before being persuaded to pursue other paths. When I became a mother, I found happiness in creating photography with my own children. One day, I booked a family photography session, and during the session, something was ignited in me. Read More>>

Toby Simmons

I have found my purpose when I found something I love doing. Read More>>

Trista Guertin

For the longest time, I believed that purpose was something you *find*—like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered if only I looked hard enough. I searched for clues, read books, listened to podcasts, and asked myself big, deep questions. But no matter how much I searched, I never stumbled upon that one magical answer. Read More>>

Vallean Jackson

In finding my purpose, I went through a series of things and it honestly took time. It was nothing that transpired immediately, but there were signs. Never did I think it would land me to the point where I am now. Read More>>

Billy Ball

I’m a longtime journalist, but thelivingsouth.com, my new project about the most interesting people in the American South, came out of some very bad things. Read More>>

Joshua Wilkinson

I discover my purposes in film making starting at my former church and my purpose became more clear after growing in my relationship with God. Read More>>

Nate Cox

I’m 43 years old, nearly all of the jobs I’ve ever held have been in the service related industry. I started in the food & beverage industry as a kid and was in that line of work for many years working in the kitchen, as a server or occasional bartender and once had a position as an assistant food and beverage at a bowling alley. Read More>>

Robyn Motyl

After working with other real estate teams and just seeing how people operate in this industry, it became very apparent to me that many agents treat clients as if they are just a paycheck. There’s a lot of pressure in today’s market, and I just felt it was so important to make sure that buyers and sellers feel heard, and seen. Read More>>

Tanganykia Johnson

I found my purpose when I started teaching in 2018 as a second career. Before that, I was searching for a profession that truly fulfilled me, and stepping into the classroom showed me exactly where I was meant to be. Teaching allowed me to make a real impact, connect with students, and help shape their growth. Read More>>

Landen Stacy

I found my purpose through a journey of movement, healing, and a deep desire to help others. Yoga has been a part of my life since I was young, but it wasn’t until high school that I truly began to understand its power—not just as a physical practice, but as a tool for emotional and mental well-being. Read More>>

Pauline Eveillard

Finding purpose in my life and work has been an ongoing journey, shaped by trial and error, growth, and evolving priorities—especially as I’ve started a family. But one constant since childhood has been my deep connection to culture, particularly its intersections with art, architecture, and design. Read More>>

Cromwell Littlejohn

Growing up in Indialantic, with the Indian River in the front yard and the Atlantic Ocean in the back, I was always surrounded by water. From a young age, I was drawn to the sea—spending every moment I could in, on, or by the water. Read More>>

Kelly Wiechert

I found my purpose with 18 Spa by following a deeply personal and transformative journey—one that reflects the belief in “your journey, expertly guided.” What started as a passion for helping and educating others grew into a mission to create a space where clients feel seen, valued, and empowered to become the best version of themselves by aging gracefully through wellness and aesthetics. Read More>>

Allie Chernick

Finding purpose was something I never thought I’d experience – but not in a sad way. Growing up, I was content being average. I did well enough in school, played sports decently thanks to natural athleticism, but never excelled in any particular area. Read More>>

Seth Taylor

I found my purpose through a process of subtraction, not addition. That is to say that my purpose came to me as opposed to me finding it. It was revealed to me through a process of going inward and chipping away at all the blockages that existed in my deep subconscious. I did this through various therapeutic modalities. Read More>>

Shakira V. Clark

Finding my purpose wasn’t an overnight journey—it was a process of self-discovery, faith, and stepping out of my comfort zone. I had to embrace my gifts, trust my journey, and remain open to learning and evolving. Read More>>

Shawn Spry

I had an excellent launch pad. Raised by two godly parents, my journey of faith in God began early. They laid an excellent foundation and I made it my own as I grew and discovered the Truth through a life of searching the Bible, history and life experience. Read More>>