Who are You? A Journey of Purpose and Passion

So, you ask, what is a global lead doing in the realm of coaching? A male friend, with his characteristic "verbal creativity," posed that very question. Allow me to explain.

 I was once a spirited, curious teenager, guided by the wisdom of an older sister, but as I grew into womanhood, that curiosity faded, replaced by the suffocating grip of toxicity and a withering sense of self-worth. I became a young professional who hid behind long hair, too fearful to speak up. My ex told me I would "amount to nothing," dismissing me as "uninspiring," despite my two degrees and a plethora of certifications.

 I am no longer that woman, yet I am still in the process of "Becoming"—evolving into the woman I aspire to be, moment by moment.

 There’s no secret formula to my growth. It demanded hard work and a deep dive beyond the superficial layers of social media wisdom and the well-meaning advice of friends and family. My journey required the right support—coaching that pushed me beyond the limits of my own thoughts, and sometimes, my know-it-all attitude. A spiritual practitioner helped me tune into my inner voice and intuition—insights I now share with my clients, guiding them to tap into their own reservoirs of strength. Let’s not forget my Mixed Martial Arts trainer, who taught me resilience and growth, pushing me beyond self-imposed boundaries.

Today, I have a flourishing career in cybersecurity, one that I am deeply passionate about. To me, passion and purpose are two distinct concepts. According to the Oxford dictionary:

"passion" is a strong and barely controllable emotion, while "purpose" is the reason for which something is done or created, or the reason something exists.

Passion fuels my excitement and interest in what I do—it's for me alone. Purpose, however, is a deeper calling, a part of my life's journey, and how I serve others. In purpose, I find an unparalleled peace, knowing I’ve made a difference. When a coachee experiences that lightbulb moment, my heart beats with a literal drumbeat of joy. I’ve guided them to shatter the glass ceiling by helping them see their "what ifs," "I cannot," "I should-be," and "I don't deserves" from a different perspective.

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Consider this analogy: passion is the fuel that ignites the engine, creating energy and movement, while purpose is the destination that gives direction to that movement. One can possess both sides of the coin, driven by passion's energy while guided by the clarity of purpose.

For me, this is a passion for cybersecurity and a purpose to serve others through coaching. They intertwine, each learning from and leveraging the other, like an elegant dance, forming an integral part of my journey toward self-discovery and service to others.

 I don’t seek to be ordinary, nor do I strive to be special. I simply seek to be.

 This journey has underscored the importance of intentionality, a principle I now embed in my coaching, my career, and the many facets of my identity.

So, who am I? I am anyone I choose to be.

As the esteemed writer Henry David Thoreau once said,

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. In the delicate dance between passion and purpose, may you find your rhythm and your reason."