I always thought that in professional career, seniority means job security, and "being comfortable" in your role is the goal. But as I found out for myself, comfort can be the opposite. When the private company I worked for was acquired by a national chain, the operational focus quickly shifted from innovation to standardization. I found our company suddenly going backward, while we were all used to being pioneers and risk takers. I became bored, I was no longer challenged. For twenty years, I knew my industry, my coworkers, our workflows, and our operations well. I continued learning and being challenged. I had the seniority, the track record, and the respect of my coworkers, I had every opportunity to innovate, to change how we did things. I was comfortable. Then, my professional world changed almost overnight. My company was sold to a national chain and the culture changed. The pioneering, the risk taking, the innovation, the constant aim for progress, everything I was used to was replaced by very old-fashioned, standardized approach that was taking us backward. We were no longer leaders. I was safe, I was well paid, but I was totally bored. We often mistake stability and comfort for success. We often think that after a period of hard work we earn the right to coast. But for a true leader, boredom is not an option. It's a signal that you no longer give your best. When you stop being challenged, you stop evolving, and if you aren't evolving, you're becoming obsolete. An opportunity found me in the public sector, in an industry I knew nothing about. I decided to take the chance. It was the best thing I have ever done. Sometimes things in life happen for a reason: when the right opportunity finds you, trust your gut and take the chance. The hardest part of my transition wasn't learning about the new industry; it was giving me permission to leave the one I knew. I realized that trusting my gut meant walking away from a sure thing to pursue a maybe. I realized that the risk of staying in my comfort zone was greater than the risk of starting over. Trust the opportunity that finds you. When I walked out of private sector and into a government office, I changed my life. It was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. Sometimes, life must shake up your comfortable world to show you that you're capable of so much more. If an opportunity finds you today that feels a little bit scary and a lot challenging - take it. Your gut will know when you're ready.

My path to leadership wasn't traditional, but it was intentional. There was a time in my life when I was navigating addiction, incarceration, and the reality of starting over. I had to make a decision about what my life was going to look like moving forward, and recovery became the foundation for everything that followed. It didn't happen overnight. It took accountability, consistency, and people who believed in me when I was still learning how to believe in myself. Over time, I began to rebuild; not just my life, but my purpose. Today, I serve as the Executive Director of The Upper Room Recovery Community in South Bend, Indiana. In this role, I have the privilege of helping men and women transition from addiction, homelessness, and incarceration into stable, independent lives. This work is deeply personal to me, because I understand firsthand what it takes to start over. At The Upper Room, we focus on more than just sobriety. We focus on dignity, structure, and long-term success. I'm also leading the development of the Bridges to Recovery Center, where we're expanding access to employment support, life skills, and community connection because recovery doesn't happen in isolation. I've been fortunate to have people in my life who supported me, challenged me, and didn't give up on me. Today, I carry that forward by creating spaces where others feel seen, supported, and capable of change. My story isn't perfect, but it's proof that transformation is possible. And now, I get to help others build a future they once thought was out of reach.

There was a point in my life where I realized I had been focused on doing what needed to be done, rather than defining what I truly wanted for myself. I've spent over 20 years in transportation, starting as a driver, growing into training, safety, and now operations leadership. For a long time, success looked like showing up, working hard, and making sure everything and everyone else was taken care of. And while I was good at that, I wasn't always taking the time to step back and ask myself what kind of leader I wanted to be or what kind of life I wanted to build. That shift didn't happen overnight. It came through experience, through challenges, managing people, handling high-pressure situations, and learning from the leaders I worked alongside over the years. Some showed me what strong leadership looks like, being present, communicating clearly, and supporting your team in real time. Others showed me what doesn't work and those lessons were just as valuable. I took pieces from each experience and began shaping my own leadership style. The moment things really changed for me was when I stopped just reacting to everything around me and started leading with purpose. I began setting clearer expectations, holding people accountable, and also holding myself to a higher standard. I learned that being present matters, communication matters, and how you show up every day impacts not just the operation, but the people around you. I also realized that I didn't have to stay in one lane. Alongside my career, I built a travel business, something that allows me to connect with people in a different way and create experiences for others. That was a step toward doing something for me, not just what was expected of me. Living life on my own terms, for me, doesn't mean stepping away from responsibility. It means owning it but doing it with clarity, confidence, and intention. Today, I lead with real-time accountability, strong communication, and a focus on continuous improvement. I don't aim for perfection, I aim to show up, do the job right, and keep growing. Because success isn't just about where you end up, it's about how you lead along the way.

For me, growing up in a traditional household meant viewing success as a solid marriage with children. My mom was not a career woman but it was understood that having a job would be necessary for financial security, so I got married, had two children and found a stable job. For many years, I considered myself successful and so did those around me until one day in June of 2009 everything changed. The ugly hand of domestic violence shattered my dreams and forced me to confront a new and unfamiliar reality. I was now a single parent with two children and hopelessly in debt. That unforgettable moment of pain and betrayal forced me to see how I had been living a life based on what others expected but one that was not truly my own. I was terrified that I would fail and my children would be forever scarred by my inability to succeed. But success comes in ways that aren't always visible at first and through determination, hard work and very little sleep, I was able to turn things around and start living my version of what life should be. I measured success in whether I could pay the electric bill and have enough gas to get to work and over time, these little milestones became the catalyst for future growth. If I can make $50 worth of groceries last for the week, then I can take on more responsibility at work, go back to school and get another degree, etc. When you live your own truth and put other people's expectations aside, it sets you free in ways you can't imagine. I found my strength when I let go of what others thought made me strong and I am so happy that I did that.

God has encouraged me to "Begin Again"! So I would say to all women of all ages and every area of life "Don't Quit"! Don't give up"!!

For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end.

For most of my life, success in my personal life looked like everyone else being okay. My children were taken care of, my family was supported, my friends were happy and somewhere at the bottom of that list, if there was anything left, was me. I didn't see it as a problem. I thought that was just what love looked like. Losing my mother to COVID in 2020 and my father to Alzheimer's in 2025 changed that completely. When you watch the people who raised you leave this world, you stop being able to pretend that time is unlimited. You stop being able to justify putting yourself last indefinitely. I realized I had been so busy being everything to everyone that I had never stopped to ask what I actually needed. What filled me up. What kind of life I genuinely wanted to be living. So I redefined what personal success means to me. It's no longer about how much I give or how many people I manage to keep happy. It's about living intentionally; taking care of my health, being truly present with my children rather than just physically there, and showing up in my relationships as a whole person rather than a depleted one. I am a single mother. I know what it means to carry a lot. But I've learned that sustainability matters. That I cannot pour endlessly from an empty cup. And that the greatest gift I can give my children isn't my sacrifice. It's showing them what it looks like to choose yourself without apology. That is personal success to me now. Not a perfect life. Just an intentional one lived fully, on my own terms.

The moment I stopped measuring my life by other people's expectations was the moment everything shifted. Choosing my own definition of success gave me the freedom to build a future rooted in purpose, peace, and the confidence to honor what I truly want.

I used to stay quiet, convinced I didn't have enough experience to speak with authority, that people only wanted to hear from those who had already "made it." But the more I started sharing my story, the more I realized just how much I'd lived, built, and learned. And that my voice wasn't lacking, it was needed.

Yes! There is a moment in everyone's life, when time was not in our control where the same people we were living with our known circles, whether it's a family or friends or strangers, the world getting weirder, we all have to face it in sometime of our life. This is exactly what I have faced in my postpartum phase, where COVID situation gave me anxiety, where I couldn't understand why everyone around me was treating me bad. That was the phase I stopped pleasing the people and chosen my pain into power by following my passions. Then I won the Title holder of Runner up of Mrs. India Florida, USA, 2022-23. Then I started focusing on my Career and my Passions, whether it is going for a Job or Getting Featured in the Lure & Fashion Republic Magazines, I never stopped following my heart. That was the phase I chosen myself over others. People called me as Selfish, not a Perfect Mom, but I corrected them, "This is Self Love"! It was not easy as I described it here. It was challenging, lonely life at first, eventually now it felt like that was one Powerful life, I have lived! What is more important is Being kind no matter what life throws at you. Some were saying, "Showing off". Yes! It is Showing off to inspire some people who are facing the same challenges like me. Because life is not end, challenges are just a testing phase! Today I'm proud to say, I have crossed my loneliness by following the passions. And Featured as a Leader on digital platforms like New York Weekly Magazine, and being recognized by Influential Women.

There was a point where I realized I was living based on what was expected of me instead of what actually made me feel fulfilled. I was overwhelmed, burnt out, and constantly trying to keep up with everything without ever feeling like it was enough. That's when I decided I needed to stop just getting by and start making decisions that actually supported my well-being and long-term goals. The biggest moment for me was choosing to leave my job and accept a new opportunity that better aligns with my goals and growth. It wasn't an easy decision, and there was a lot of uncertainty, but I knew staying where I was would keep me stuck in the same cycle. Since making that decision, I've started to feel more in control of my life. I've been more intentional about my time, my energy, and the direction I'm heading. It also helped me build confidence in myself and trust that I can make decisions that are right for me, even if they're uncomfortable at first. That shift changed how I define success. It's no longer just about pushing through or meeting expectations, it's about creating a life that feels balanced, purposeful, and sustainable.

Every new beginning required me to rise into a new version of myself. In seasons that could have broken me, I chose growth over familiarity again and again. I anchored myself in purpose and committed fully to my evolution. From that place, everything shifted. My clarity sharpened, my confidence became unshakable, and my work started to feel deeply aligned and fulfilling. I began attracting opportunities and relationships that didn't just match me, but expanded me, supported me, and reflected the life I knew I was meant to live.

How can one person make a difference when they cannot hear? I was diagnosed with progressive bilateral hearing loss 25 years ago. In recent years, I have become deaf. In the initial years after my diagnosis, I was reluctant to disclose my disability or wear hearing assistive technology for concerns about what others would think. I was afraid of how people would perceive me as being a person who cannot hear well. Would they think I was unable to communicate with them? Would they ignore me? A few years into my disability journey, I began writing about my hearing loss and my initial reluctance to wear hearing aids or show them off to anyone. I created LipreadingMom.com to blog about my experiences as a hard-of-hearing mom. I also published the book Lip Reader in 2009 that was inspired by generational deafness in my extended family. In 2026, I published my memoir, How I Hear, which details the emotions and grief experienced in the six years after my hearing loss diagnosis. In 2025, after experiencing additional hearing loss, I underwent surgery to receive a cochlear implant. I launched the "Show Me Your Ears" campaign on the Lipreading Mom site that allows others to share photos of their hearing assistive technology, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, and to share their stories. On my bucket list was to start a podcast, which had long seemed impossible due to the hearing limitations I experienced and lack of accessibility I had noticed with other podcasts. In 2025, I started the Deafinitely Talking podcast to shine a spotlight on the deaf and hearing loss community. It is available on YouTube on the Lipreading Mom channel, which is captioned for accessibility. It also is featured on Spotify with a written transcript of each interview. Now, I embrace my hearing loss, and I've come to believe that anyone can make a difference with faith, resilience, and the power of accessibility.

For me, the shift happened when I stopped labeling things as "failures" and started seeing them as lessons. That mindset change was everything. Working in construction as a woman, I've often found myself in rooms where expectations were already set before I even spoke. Early on, I felt the pressure to prove myself constantly, and when something didn't go as planned, it felt like confirmation of those unspoken doubts. But once I reframed those moments as opportunities to learn instead of failures, everything changed. I stopped measuring myself against outdated norms and started defining success on my own terms. Every challenge on a job site, every tough conversation, every unexpected issue became a chance to grow stronger, sharper, and more confident in my voice. That's when I really began living life on my own terms. Instead of avoiding risks, I leaned into them. Instead of chasing perfection, I focused on progress. And instead of worrying about how I was perceived, I focused on the value I bring to the table. Being a woman in construction has challenged me, but it's also shaped me. And embracing the lessons along the way has been one of the most powerful shifts in how I lead, work, and live.

Who we are is a combination of our life experiences. We are evolving and growing intentionally every day. We can't hide from that, but we can learn from every chapter.

For many years, success in my life was defined by endurance. Work harder. Say yes more often. Carry the responsibility. Keep proving yourself. As an immigrant nurse who began in rural public health in the Philippines and later built a career in advanced transplant medicine in the United States, I learned early that survival often meant sacrifice. I measured success by productivity, titles, achievements, and how much I could give without stopping. And for a long time, that mindset served me well. It opened doors I once thought were impossible from bedside nursing to becoming a globally recognized transplant nurse practitioner, educator, and leader in genomics and implementation science. It allowed me to contribute to patient care, research, international education, and leadership at the highest levels. But there came a moment when I realized I was no longer inspired by simply achieving more. I wanted meaning more than motion. That shift changed everything. I began defining success not by how much I accomplished, but by the impact I created: improving patient outcomes, mentoring future leaders, advancing genomics in nursing practice, and helping shape systems that promote equity and innovation. I stopped asking: "What else can I prove?" And started asking: "What work truly matters?" That decision reshaped my life personally and professionally. It gave me permission to evolve, not away from ambition, but toward purpose. I became more intentional with my energy, more protective of my peace, and more committed to work aligned with values rather than validation. Today, fulfillment means knowing that my work creates opportunities for others: for nurses to lead, for patients to be seen, for science to reach practice, and for future generations to walk through doors that once felt closed. Because I learned that true influence is not about standing in the spotlight. It is about creating pathways where others can rise. And real leadership leaves doors open long after you've walked through them. "Legacy is not built by how far we rise alone, but by how many we elevate along the way."

I believe I am living in that defining moment right now. For much of my career, I poured my leadership, creativity, and expertise into world-renowned institutions and organizations. While that work was meaningful, stepping into entrepreneurship challenged me to finally define success on my own terms. Building my consulting business during uncertain economic times has required courage, faith, and a willingness to bet on myself in ways I never had before. I was intimidated at first. I had never seen myself as a "businesswoman." But I began to recognize the value of the human capital, leadership insight, and transformational work I had already contributed to so many spaces. I realized those same gifts could be used to build something of my own. That decision reshaped my life by teaching me that fulfillment is not only about professional titles or institutional recognition. It is also about alignment, ownership, impact, and trusting your voice enough to create opportunities for yourself and others. I am still growing, still learning, and still evolving, but for the first time, I truly feel like I am building a life and legacy that reflects who I am becoming.

There came a point where I realized success wasn't about proving myself to everyone else. It was about building a life and business aligned with my values, my family, and the impact I wanted to make. Once I stopped chasing validation and started trusting my own vision, everything changed personally and professionally.

There came a point when I realized my value could not be determined by other people's opinions or the environments I found myself in. True fulfillment came from confronting hard conversations, choosing resilience, and defining success by who I know I am, not who the world expects me to be.

Leaving a 25-year corporate HR career to start my own company was my defining moment. I now define success by the value I provide to my community rather than a title.

One of the most defining moments in my life was realizing that success is not about fitting into someone else's expectations. It's about building something meaningful that aligns with your values, purpose, and the life you want for your family. Once I stopped chasing titles and started building impact through my own business, I found both fulfillment and freedom.

I stopped chasing approval and started focusing on growth, purpose, and fulfillment on my own terms. I began taking myself seriously, investing in my future, and pushing past limits I once accepted. Defining success for myself reshaped my life because it gave me freedom. Freedom to trust myself, freedom to grow into the person I always knew I could become, and freedom to pursue a life that feels authentic to me rather than one designed by others.

I stopped defining success by how much I could endure for others and started defining it by the peace, alignment, and purpose I felt within myself. The moment I chose myself fully, my healing stopped being survival-based and became intentional.

I decided to define success on my own terms rather than by the world's deceptive standards. Too often, we measure our success against the accomplishments of others. To me, success means living a life characterized by time freedom, ministry, and philanthropy. It is not defined by monetary value, but by my own personal achievements. At this moment, I truly consider myself successful.

Success and fulfillment look different for everyone. The classic line, if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life holds true for me as yes, it is serious work, but it's supposed to be fun and I really find my fulfillment in making sure the athletes are having a good experience.

There came a moment when I realized I could no longer build everyone else's vision while abandoning my own peace, purpose, and potential in the process. Leaving my career in higher education to launch a nonprofit dedicated to career readiness, mentorship, and workforce development for underserved and nontraditional individuals taught me that true success is not measured by titles or sacrifice, but by having the courage to create meaningful change while finally honoring your own purpose.