Meet Rhonda Johnson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rhonda Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rhonda below.

Hi Rhonda, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I recently spoke on a career panel for eighth graders, where a recurring theme was finding your passion and purpose to make a real living and make the best of your life. We often advise young people to discover what they’re good at and passionate about, but I believe purpose lies at the intersection of passion and skill.
My own journey has been winding. During my mental health practicum, I was drawn to mood disorders, particularly in women struggling with people-pleasing and perfectionism. But I felt the need to go deeper.
That clarity came unexpectedly through my part-time job as a campaign associate. Visiting schools, I noticed the exhaustion in teachers—not just from requests for donations but something deeper. Having grown up with a mother who was a drained, overworked educator, I recognized the signs of burnout. Suddenly, my work in mental health had a sharper focus. I wasn’t just interested in mood disorders—I was meant to support those who give so much to others.
Sometimes, purpose isn’t found—it reveals itself through lived experiences.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My focus is on truly listening to teachers—learning about their daily experiences and understanding what they feel would best support them. It’s easy to acknowledge that teachers are underpaid and overworked (which is absolutely true), but my purpose goes deeper. I want to amplify their voices and ensure real solutions are created with their needs in mind.

One of the most exciting—and challenging—aspects of this work is shifting the focus. Many education initiatives center solely on students, assuming that if students thrive, teachers must be doing fine. But that’s not always the case. Teacher wellbeing, stress management, and retention need to be prioritized just as much as student success.

If you’re an educator or passionate about supporting teachers, I’d love to connect with you! Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram, engage with my posts, and share your insights. Your input is invaluable, and I welcome conversations via email as well. Let’s work together to make a real difference!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Key Skills That Shaped My Journey

Public Speaking: Communicating clearly and confidently is essential. I always tell students to observe great speakers—whether in person or on TV—and analyze what makes them engaging. Are they funny? Inspiring? Do they connect with the audience? Take those elements and develop your own speaking style through practice.

Building Relationships & Understanding Your Audience: I learned (later than I should have) that success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about truly listening to your audience. For me, that meant shifting my perspective on teachers and taking the time to understand their needs. If you haven’t been in the trenches, you must seek input from those who have. Respecting their experiences builds trust and leads to real impact.

Seeking Support & Collaboration: You cannot do it alone. Find people in your field, ask for help, and be open about what you don’t know. Building genuine relationships will get you further than trying to navigate everything solo. Before you make money, you need allies—people who believe in your work and are willing to connect you with opportunities. Over time, your reputation will open doors, but first, you have to reach out and build that network.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Ideal Audience for Your Workshops, Webinars, Retreats, and Coaching
Your offerings would be most impactful for:
Career Level:
o Mid-career professionals (ages 30-50)
o Newer professionals (5+ years in)

2. Gender: Mainly Women
3. Mindset & Burnout Level:
o Overachievers & perfectionists
o People-pleasers
o Disillusioned professionals
o Those considering a career shift

4. Lack of Passion for the Job:
o Educators & professionals who feel unseen and unheard
o Individuals who question if they are in the right career
o Those feeling trapped by financial or family obligations

Ideal Traits of Administrators Who Can Support Your Work
o Forward-Thinking & Open-Minded
o Empathetic & People-Centered
o Well-Connected & Respected
o Action-Oriented & Problem-Solving

Contact Info:

• Instagram: limitless_empowered
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-johnson-97983a39/

Image Credits

Laila Wall, Photographer