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.
Amer Abukhalaf
I found my purpose by observing the profound and lasting impact disasters have on both the physical environment and the people who live in it—particularly those in under-served communities. Early in my academic and professional journey, I was drawn to questions not just about how we rebuild after disasters, but for whom we rebuild, and what kind of recovery we prioritize. Read More>>
Ellie DelTurco
I think purpose often finds us in layers—through joy, pain, calling, and obedience. For me, it began in my local church as a teenager when I first stepped into leading worship. I wasn’t the most polished or confident, but something deep in me came alive when I helped others connect with God through music. That spark led me to invest in songwriting, worship coaching, and creating environments where people can encounter truth and beauty. Read More>>
Silvano Lieger
In 2017, I was working as a project manager at an advertising agency in Austria. We were preparing a pitch for a beverage brand, the kind of campaign that usually gets people excited in the industry. It was late on a Friday night, already past 11pm, and I was still at the office with a few team members. One of my colleagues was visibly overwhelmed. Something wasn’t working with her part of the presentation, and she suddenly broke down in tears. Read More>>
Monique Couillard-Nelson
I have always wanted to be a mom. I went to school to get a degree as I knew that was what was expected of me but my life long goal was to be a mom and to be the best mom I could be. So when I became a pediatric nurse and was asked to teach parenting classes the two roads converged and I felt like this was a path I was meant to take. Read More>>
Troy Dugas
I’m from a small south Louisiana town and in high school I had dreams of being a fashion designer. I had a wonderful uncle who planned on helping me get to FIT in New York, but sadly he passed away from AIDs and those plans fell away.
I atteneded the University of Southwestern Louisiana hoping to study fashion design, but it was not offered when I was a student. I enrolled in Fashion Merchandising which was short lived because I couldn’t pass accounting. All it took was a drawing class in 1990 that cemented my path to a life pursuing this elusive career and my journey to finding purpose. Read More>>
Kaitlin Rude
How I Found Purpose in My Business (and Life) Through Jesus
For a long time, I thought if I just worked hard enough, hit all the business goals, and kept moving forward, I’d eventually feel like I “made it.” And while there were definitely exciting moments — amazing weddings, sweet messages from clients, and dreams coming true — I still felt like something was missing. Read More>>
Joe Huisman
I didn’t always feel like I had a purpose. For a long time, I was just trying to survive. I started doing stand-up because it seemed fun and I thought it would be a creative outlet, nothing more. But as I started weaving in bits about my past addiction, something unexpected happened. After shows, people would come up to me and share their own stories. They weren’t just laughing; they were connecting. Read More>>
Micheline Batom
Having come from a complicated upbringing and background, I felt lost in the world until my mid-twenties. I grew up in different homes while my parents overcame addiction and lacked the parental bond that many children have with one or both parents.
When I met my husband, I gained two stepchildren, and that’s when I knew I was meant to be a mother. I gave birth to my daughter Mazie in 2022, and since then I’ve found my purpose in life as a mother, a wife, and a photographer. Roles that mean the world to me. Read More>>
Nate Jones
I find it in writing new music. When we write it’s like everything flows so unerringly. I have always found purpose in writing, it’s the first thing I gravitated towards when I started playing music. Read More>>
Omar Owens
I saw a need for people that met online to get out and have a presence in the community and the want for people to do more and reach more people. It’s hard to find people and spaces where you can be yourself outside of work and I wanted to provide that type of space for Nerds, Geeks, and Gamers in Memphis. Read More>>
Hang Tran
Since I was little, I have had a passion for cooking. When I grew up, I thought about opening a restaurant, but in my mind, I was hesitant because opening a restaurant is very tiring and hard work, so I avoided my passion for cooking.
I always look for another job instead of cooking and think they are my dreams. I sell products on amazon, learn to repair phones, make youtube content about cooking and traveling, learn photoshop,.. but all failed. Read More>>
Maxine Eiland
I didn’t set out to build my own business. I set out to survive motherhood—and stay connected to myself in the process.
Before becoming a mom, I was strong. I played sports, lifted weights, and moved with confidence. But when I got pregnant, everything shifted. I quickly realized that the fitness world wasn’t built for the version of me that was growing a baby. And after giving birth, the message was even louder: “Get your body back.” But no one was talking about how to safely return to movement—physically or emotionally—or how to rebuild from the inside out. Read More>>
Henry Anleu
I didn’t find my purpose in a moment — I found it through the process. For a long time, I was just surviving, dealing with depression at a young age, not really living with intention. But photography became my way out — a way to process pain, capture beauty, and connect with something deeper. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just about taking pictures — it was about telling stories that mattered. My purpose became clear when I saw how my work could inspire, heal, and elevate others. Faith played a huge role too — I had to believe that my past wasn’t a limitation but a setup for something bigger. My purpose is rooted in using my vision to serve, uplift, and leave a legacy that outlives me. Read More>>
Clara X. Roque-Wagner
I was a very philosophical child. I remember questioning what the purpose of life was at a very young age. I remember that question bothering me for years because I could never find an answer that satisfied me. I have always been someone who looks for answers to very abstract questions and through my writing, I have been able to find a few. Writing is in my blood. I am a part of a lineage of poets. I think that’s why it is something that has felt so natural for me and easy. Growing up as a very socially anxious kid was difficult. Read More>>
Omid Roustaei
It is fair to say that purpose does not come as a single event in one’s life. Over the years, I have had different purposes that needed to be fulfilled. I would like to highlight one of them, which has recently become central to my life’s purpose: writing a book.
A bit of background will help explain how I arrived at this point. I immigrated from Iran to the United States as a teenager and studied science, eventually working in the field of cancer research within the biotech industry. After several years, I felt the need to change my career and move towards a path focused on nutritious and whole foods. Read More>>
Chloe Panta
I didn’t find my purpose in one defining moment—it revealed itself slowly, through the seasons of my life. At first, I was searching for clarity outside of myself: in jobs, relationships, and external achievements. But it wasn’t until I got quiet and started listening inward that I realized my purpose had been with me all along. It showed up in the way I wrote, how I held space for others, and in the questions I couldn’t stop asking about truth, transformation, and meaning. Read More>>
Cynthia Magliocco
True story … For some of us life is a long journey with different scenarios some good and some bad. In a perfect world, we grow up given most or all opportunities to move ahead. There is no perfect home and for those who surf through life with very few cares and issues, I congratulate you! For many of us, that is not the case! I for one had many road blocks starting at a young age with a mother who had psychological issues that interupted the. flow of a normal life for myself and my siblings. Read More>>
Josh Wheeldon
I found my purpose by watching my parents. My father not only led through a title or recognition, but through quiet determination and service to others. Even while battling multiple sclerosis, he remained deeply involved in our community. That example shaped how I showed up in every team I played on, from sports in school to my time in the Army. On the field and in uniform, I learned that leadership isn’t about control. In fact it’s about trust, accountability, and action. Read More>>
Erin Mark
I didn’t expect to live long enough to have one. I was born with cystic fibrosis, a terminal illness. By the time I was a teenager, I knew the stats: most people like me didn’t make it past 18. My twenties felt like all these extra bonus years I never expected to have. But by my mid-thirties, I was entering end-of-life stage.
At that point, I wasn’t dreaming about the future, I was trying to figure out how to die well. My purpose, I thought, was to prepare the people I loved for goodbye. To make the most of the time I had left. Read More>>
Mary Kathleen Mehuron
To be honest, I find this question to have a significant flaw—which is why it intrigues me. How did I find my purpose? One purpose? Recently, I celebrated a milestone birthday, and after days of reflection, I realized there isn’t just one reason for my existence. Instead, I see that each phase of my life has been marked by a unique purpose. Read More>>
DL Edwards
This is a great question. I believe that purpose finds or overtakes a person. I’ve always been the class clown or merely a person that was not afraid of speaking in front of the crowd. I can distinctly remember an English teacher of mine deciding, since we can’t get him to stop singing while he’s doing his work we will give him a platform to perform in front of the class everyday for 3 mins. My purpose was born. Read More>>
Gonçalo Salgado
I’m not a “follow your passion” romantic — I think that advice has misled more people than a bad GPS. For me, purpose isn’t something that strikes like lightning; it’s more like sculpting a statue from a block of marble.
It’s a messy, iterative process. You chip away through trial and error, constantly adjusting to align what you do with what you’re good at, what genuinely piques your curiosity, and what your personality naturally leans toward. Over time, if you’re paying attention and staying honest, you start to find the edges of something meaningful. Read More>>
Afroditi Michailidi
For a long time, I thought “finding purpose” meant chasing one big, singular calling: something unmistakably “meant to be.” For me, that was music. I trained as a classical cellist, performed in orchestras and chamber groups, and later taught music in Greece. Teaching gave me a deep sense of meaning, and for a while, I was sure I’d found what I was meant to do. Read More>>
Parker Weldon
This is going to sound cliché, and honestly, probably a little annoying, but I’ve just always known that acting was for me. I never had any sort of grand revelation or a life-altering turning point; I’ve always been drawn to telling stories, and it’s so natural to me to immediately try to find pieces of myself inside them. As early as I can remember, I was making home videos, writing skits and putting on “productions” for anyone who would watch – and even if they didn’t want to, I would make them anyways (shout out to my first co-star and sister, Zoe). Read More>>
Kim Darling
At 19 was painting in the studio at night while everyone else was out partying and heard a voice in my head say this is exactly what I need to be doing. Read More>>
Elizabeth Perdomo
I found purpose through my own journey as a domestic violence survivor and as a woman of faith. Those deeply personal experiences shaped who I am and opened my eyes to the urgent need for support, understanding, and empowerment for others walking similar paths.
My faith gave me strength, hope, and a vision for something greater. It was through healing and reflection that I realized my pain could serve a greater purpose—to uplift others. That realization led me to found Beacon of Hope Support Services. Read More>>
Allison Bray
I didn’t so much find my purpose as I followed what had always been quietly guiding me. Fashion and beauty have always pulled at me — not in a superficial way, but as a language. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of personal style, the way beauty rituals could become moments of self-definition. It was never about trends or aesthetics alone; it was about identity, confidence, transformation. Read More>>
Alyssa Zielke
Finding my purpose in functional medicine and root-cause healing began with a diagnosis. I’ve always been drawn to the medical field. From a young age, I was fascinated by the human body and felt a deep calling to care for and help others. I earned my undergraduate degree in Athletic Training but quickly realized I wanted to do more for people. That’s when I discovered the role of a Physician Assistant. Read More>>
Colletta Brabham-Orr
I grew up hearing that cancer “ran in the family,” but I didn’t even know what ovarian cancer was until my maternal grandmother was diagnosed. It wasn’t something anyone talked about, so when she passed away, I was left with more questions than answers. That spark of confusion and grief pushed me to learn everything I could about the disease that took her, so other families wouldn’t be left in the dark. Read More>>
Yufei Fu
I didn’t find my purpose all at once—it revealed itself gradually, through stories I felt drawn to, challenges I had to survive, and moments where I realized I was still choosing this path, even when it was hard.
For a long time, I thought filmmaking was just what I was good at, or what I studied. But it wasn’t until I was editing my thesis film—while also going through one of the most painful personal experiences of my life—that I truly understood why I make films. In the middle of a family lawsuit, living in emotional and physical instability, I found myself clinging to the story I was telling on screen. It was about survival, identity, power—and suddenly, it wasn’t just a narrative. It was me. Read More>>
Heather Akers
My journey toward finding my purpose was influenced by a passion for neuroscience and the desire to understand the human psyche, which led me to pursue a bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters of Social Work from North Carolina State University. Throughout my time in service and University schooling, my deep-seated interest in mental health and the ways people navigate life’s challenges grew exponentially. Read More>>
Tomo Colorado
I found my purpose through travel, little by little, with every trip we took as a family. The more we explored, the more I realized how meaningful travel can be. It’s not just about seeing beautiful places. It’s about learning, growing, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
I wanted to show people that you don’t need a perfect plan or a big budget to enjoy travel. There are so many ways to explore, connect, and make everyday moments feel special. I truly believe that memories are one of the best gifts we can give our children. They build confidence, bring joy, and become a source of strength when life gets hard. Read More>>
Crystal Shaw
I stumbled upon boudoir photography while I was mainly a wedding photographer back in 2019. Don’t get me wrong, I loved shooting weddings, but I never felt like it was a perfect fit for me. When a bride asked me to do her bridal boudoir session, I said yes, even though I had no idea what I was doing. After that session, I knew this is what I am meant to do. On top of the fact that it is so fun to create beautiful images of incredible women, it is also so powerful to see the personal transformation each client has during their session with their self-esteem and confidence. Being able to empower women on a daily basis is truly such a special thing that I do not take lightly. Read More>>
Teri Vershel
When I was in high school, I was an editor of our yearbook and that is when I fell in love with photography. I got excited when I captured something compelling or amusing and I enjoyed creating stories with photographs and arranging them into books. I had my trusty Nikon FE film camera and I took 35 mm Kodachrome slides around home and when I traveled. However, my childhood was not a happy one. I came from a very broken home and my mother instilled in me that I always needed to be able to support myself and not rely on others. Read More>>
Elijah Kirby
As a child, I was terrified of storms, especially after the April 10, 2009 EF4 tornado that tore through Murfreesboro, Tennessee. That event left a lasting impression on me. But instead of letting that fear define me, I faced it head-on. I immersed myself in weather science, watching The Weather Channel, studying maps, and tracking storms long before most kids my age even understood what a radar was. Read More>>
Cinthia Almeida
My purpose wasn’t something I planned—it found me in a moment of silence. After decades building a solid career in marketing and leadership across global companies in Brazil, I took a maternity leave that coincided with a major life change: our move to the United States.
What was supposed to be a joyful chapter of motherhood and new beginnings abroad also became a moment of personal crisis. I had always been known for my work, my results, my leadership. Suddenly, I wasn’t “Cinthia from Samsung” or “Cinthia the Marketing Executive Leader” I was a mother, an immigrant, invisible in a market that didn’t know my name, my story, or my worth. I felt like I had lost my professional identity. Read More>>
Xinzi Luo
For an artist, the purpose of continuous creation is of utmost importance. I believe that desire plays a crucial role in the generation of creativity. Whether it is the desire for knowledge and truth about the world, the desire for relationships between the sexes, the continuous desire for expression, the positive and negative desires that drive social development, and so on, these desires constitute the source of creation’s purpose. Read More>>
