Story & Lesson Highlights with LaKesa McGraw of Columbia

LaKesa McGraw shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

LaKesa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is a blend of purpose, structure, and connection. I usually begin my mornings with prayer and quiet reflection to center myself spiritually and mentally. That sets the tone for a productive and intentional day.

From there, I may dive into coaching sessions with clients, preparing for an upcoming workshop or speaking engagement, or managing the behind-the-scenes operations of my coaching and training business. I also stay active in the HR space by consulting or developing training strategies for organizations.

Throughout the day, I make time to connect with family and friends; it keeps me grounded and energized. Whether I’m encouraging someone through a session, building new content, or just enjoying meaningful conversations, every day reflects my commitment to helping others grow while staying true to myself and my values.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! Hi, I’m LaKesa McGraw, an Author, Certified Life & Leadership Coach, HR Professional, and Inspirational Speaker. I’m the founder of Inside of Y.O.U., LLC, a coaching and training brand dedicated to helping individuals uncover purpose, unlock potential, and unapologetically show up in every area of their lives.

With over a decade of experience in Human Resources and a deep passion for personal development, I’ve blended strategy and soul to create transformative coaching programs, leadership trainings, and motivational experiences. My work has been recognized in multiple publications, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching professionals, empowering youth, and speaking to audiences across various industries.

What makes Inside of Y.O.U. special is its heart-centered approach. We focus on the inner work, the mindset, the healing, and the confidence-building that fuels lasting change. It’s about helping people rediscover what’s already inside of them and equipping them to lead with boldness and clarity.

Right now, I’m excited to be expanding my workshops, building partnerships with schools and community organizations, and continuing to inspire others to stop shrinking and start shining. For me, this is more than a business, it’s a calling.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the version of myself that played small to make others comfortable. For years, I carried the weight of doubt, perfectionism, and over-responsibility, always showing up for others but sometimes shrinking in the process.

That chapter taught me resilience, humility, and strength, but it no longer serves where I’m going. I’m releasing the need for external validation, the habit of second-guessing my worth, and the mindset that told me I had to dim my light to fit in.

I now choose to walk boldly in purpose, take up space with confidence, and lead with the kind of authenticity that empowers others to do the same. The old me was a survivor. The present me is a leader, a visionary, and a light, and I’m not hiding that anymore.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up.

After experiencing a traumatic loss, I was shattered in ways I didn’t even know were possible. It wasn’t just grief; it was the unraveling of everything I thought I had under control. I felt like life had paused, but the world kept spinning. I was functioning on autopilot, smiling on the outside, broken into pieces on the inside.

That pain broke me wide open, but even a broken clock is right twice a day, and that truth reminded me that even in my most shattered state, I still had purpose. Even when I felt stuck in time, God was still using me, speaking through me, and working on my healing behind the scenes.

I realized I didn’t have to be perfect or fully “put together” to make an impact. I just had to be willing to keep showing up, imperfect, vulnerable, but determined. That decision to keep going, to rebuild piece by piece, changed everything, and now, the very story that almost silenced me has become the reason I speak, coach, and lead the way I do.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth that’s so foundational to my life that I rarely speak on it is this: my peace is non-negotiable, and solitude is sacred.

I’ve always been what I call a “popular loner.” I’m known, loved, and often surrounded by people, but I deeply value my space, my quiet, and my time to recharge. I’ve learned that being visible doesn’t mean I have to be accessible to everyone all the time, and just because I’m invited to every table doesn’t mean I’m called to sit at all of them.

Another truth is that God’s timing and plan always override mine. I’ve stopped trying to force things to happen and started trusting that what’s for me will never miss me. That inner knowing keeps me grounded, even when things don’t go as planned.

Lastly, I believe in leading with love, even when it’s not returned. I’ve learned that how I show up in the world says more about me than it ever will about anyone else. Those truths have shaped the way I live, lead, and love, and while I may not speak them often, they’re embedded in everything I do.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and all of my possessions, what would remain is my faith, my resilience, and my heart for people.

Titles, platforms, and possessions can all fade, but what’s rooted inside of me is unshakable. I’d still carry the same calling, to pour into others, to uplift, to speak life, and to stand in truth, even when everything else is stripped away.

What would remain is my voice, my wisdom, and my light. The experiences that shaped me, the battles I’ve survived, and the love I give so freely don’t require a title to validate them.

And above all else, I would still be Key.
The encourager.
The connector.
The one who shows up when it matters, because who I am was never built on labels, it was built in the fire, refined by grace, and rooted in purpose.

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