I believe without a test, there is no testimony! I have survived divorced parents, changing schools over a dozen times, single motherhood, tragic deaths and breast cancer. All of these adversities made me the person I am today. I am a survivor and a beautiful person. I enjoy life and having fun.

submitted yesterday, but re-submitting in case it didn't get to you. (12/7 has the entry)

The journey is ongoing and a daily choice that I make with the hope and prayer that I can give my children the best life I possibly can. A life with happiness, love, health, growth and endless grace. Life isn’t easy and tomorrow is never promised and I want to make certain that we never take for granted the gift of everyday!

I have been maintaining for 2023
I am ready to make BIG MOVES in 2024.
I am ready for it. I know I am worth it.

Live Life to it’s BEST!

So grateful for my hubby who gets me and loves my crazy antics and ideas.

14 years ago I said “What do I have to lose?” When I decided to give an opportunity in the Direct Sales industry a try. It seemed so foreign to me, I didn’t think I’d be any good at it, I was a teacher not a sales person. I embraced the opportunity, took time to learn, gave it my best effort, and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and ultimately grew as a person. I found my passion in helping others to do the same. Fast forward, I was ready to make a career change and was approached by a new company. I asked if there was a corporate opportunity. Sure enough there was. I knew direct sales but had to learn the corporate side. Today, I hold a dream position with an incredible company.

Not having the best upbringing led me to go against the grain and brake the cycle of home and food insecurities, and it made me a better person.

Hard work, determination and sacrifice - All worth it to have the love, happiness and success that I’m so lucky to have in my life Today.

I’m just an average single woman who is a business school teacher. After my divorce of 9 years in 2018, I was broken. I did not know how my heart would heal. I sold my house to change my environment, jumped into an online beauty business, and prayed. After about a year, things started to change. I started to love myself, gained confidence, and started a journey of purpose driven. I learned what to accept and what not to. It’s been about others for so long not including me at all. It’s about me now and helping others.
Love, LaDonna Heckard

I have in a short period lead one department to have growth, amazing culture, and transformation. I then became a leader over 5 departments trying to help all the departments in the same way. It’s amazing watch individual growth, promoting personal transformation and using their purpose. No matter the job, living out purpose is the key! I even were chosen as Healthcare Worker of the Year this year!(This is just a summary- I have so much on this)

Creativity and fun can be just as impactful to the bottom line as strategic business development when you love what you do!

From infidelity to miscarriage, to high risk pregnancies and nicu babies, I’ve been forged by the fire of isolation and suffering.

Since I can remember, I have been blessed to have people in my life who believe in me, support me and encourage me. And those same people have given me so much love that I eventually began believing in myself, gained confidence and realized with effort and so much faith, I could climb any mountains in front of me. Everyone’s mountains are so different, but knowing who you are, believing in yourself and having faith in God; along with the strength of those who love you, will
keep pushing you through the rough times. The happy times then, seem all that much sweeter. Life is, after all, so so good!

Nobody does it alone. I have been blessed to work alongside amazing mentors and leaders who gave me the clarity, confidence and courage to step into my gifts and become the person I am today. Self doubt, insecurities and limiting beliefs often keep us playing small and I was that girl. The girl who lacked the confidence and courage to take risks, who gave her power to the opinions of others. Once I gained clarity about who I was and what I wanted, I was able to find the confidence and courage to make decisions and take actions to see my worth and live the life I wanted. I couldn't have done it without the help of other beautiful souls who loaned me their confidence and showed me the way

I’m coming to BEat cancer a 3x, girl! I’m showcasing my beauty through the hair loss, the sickness, the extreme fatigue, and so many other not so lovely things because I’m alive. I get to continue to inspire and be an amazing person and share my journey unlike so many who may not. Since my childhood I’ve had to overcome adversity, and I don’t intend to quit now. Living with a gene that makes me genetically disposed to cancer IS my story, and I believe I’m to share that with others. So, i take great pride in this fight, and other that may follow because I GET to fight and be amazing!! Much love to you my dear friend!! And PS - don’t feel like you have to pick me!!

As a young girl, I realized I was very different than my 5 older siblings. They told me ‘no’ a lot, trying to make me conform & stay quiet. It was quite awkward for me, as I didn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to just be me. I struggled with my identity for decades! On one hand, I had so much creativity bursting within me, but I was surrounded by people who held me back. Frankly, it took me 57 years to find my tribe who encourages me to be ME! My man is my biggest cheerleader!
In 2023, I exceeded my goals by publishing my first two children’s books, I married my man, & I am now in the process of starting my own mortgage brokerage company. Thank you, Tara, for being my inspiration! ❤️💛

I found my shine!! I turned darkness into light by staying in my lane and finding my happiness. It no longer mattered what the other person decided life would be…I started taking care of myself little by little. Be who you came to be. Life looks different. I wake up
Before my alarm clock, write in my gratitude journal, read church’s message for the day, take my vitamins and maximize my day! Work out, self development, take walks and enjoy the littlest things. <3

I grew up with aspirations of working in federal law enforcement and was on my way after interning for the ATF my senior year of college. After graduation, I realized I’d need experience before the feds would even consider me. So, I became a police officer - something I never in my wildest dreams had even considered. But I LOVED it and I absolutely THRIVED as it gave my life such purpose. In 2008, I was riding on the back of a motorcycle when we collided with a deer at 75MPH. The wreck took so many things from me: my career, my health - but never my hope. After two spinal cord surgeries and many ups & downs, I’ve spent the last 15 years finding who I came to be - a strong & resilient woman.

Oh man! This is a hard question. I think the first thought is my story or journey isn’t any different then at other woman out there. But I think that’s initially as women what we do is compare ourselves to everyone else to instantly take ourselves out of the playing field because I think playing big is so much more frightening than the alternative.
So with that being said as I have gotten older I have realized being true to myself whether it’s big or small it doesn’t matter. As long as I know I can make a positive impact on someone’s life through a simple gesture, through my charcuterie boards, through pilates or energy work I know that I am being 100% authentic to my true self!!!

I feel I've always been confident and content with who I am. My heart is to encourage others to be who they are without apology or mask to look like someone else! We are all special and God made us to be just the way we are! Through 13 years of network marketing businesses, I've worked on branding myself and offering simple solutions for busy mom's to feel confident and put together!

Love you!!!

I met my college room mate and best friend, who inspires me to be the best version of myself each day!

The journey is ongoing and a daily choice that I make with the hope and prayer that I can give my children the best life I possibly can. A life with happiness, love, health, growth and endless grace. Life isn’t easy and tomorrow is never promised and I want to make certain that we never take for granted the gift of everyday! ❤️

The second half of my 30’s have been about rediscovering who I am after a divorce, moving to a new town, and starting to teach in a new district. There was an emptiness that only I could work through to find true happiness and joy. Happiness will never come from other people or possessions—that emptiness was still there. I am still doing work daily with my thoughts; however, the emptiness gets smaller and smaller as time goes on, and joy is filling that space.

I have been a student, a stay-at-home-mom, a pre-k teacher. I have been a lifeguard, a concession stand worker, a clerk, a waitress, a hostess and a paraprofessional. My greatest accomplishment aside from my Bachelor’s Degree is being mom to two wonderful kids.

On a daily basis, I am overcoming multiple chronic, rare disorders. My hyperacusus causes pain when exposed to most any noise, so I work from home as a commercial real estate appraiser. My trigeminal neuralgia causes intense facial pain, which has hampered a quicker timeline of my development. Various other medical issues hover in the background of these two rare disorders. However, I have persisted in my education and training to become a valuable part of a small team.

My path hasn’t been an easy one. It’s filled with heartache, obstacles & trauma. I finally got the courage to leave an abusive marriage of over 20 years. Leaving wasn’t easy. Putting one foot in front of the other every day. The path after divorce has been one of slow repair, setting boundaries, overcoming trauma, growth and finding/loving MYself. ❤️‍🩹

Surrounding myself with true love- in family, in friendship, and from the Lord, has been critical to helping me evolve into the person I am today. True love embraces you not only at your best, but at your worst. True love powered by faith, grit, determination, and conviction to what are my hearts desires are what has helped to fuel me day to day.

Working on yourself is never easy, but focusing on what matters to me, what my goals are and how I will achieve them is critical in how I continue to improve myself. Becoming who I am and who I will be takes work and requires focus. Putting the work in has made an immense difference in my life and I am able to see my goals starting to come to fruition.

Taking a break to recharge for the afternoon. Something we all need to do to perform at our highest potential.

I come from a hardworking family that instilled in me to work for what I want in life. Nothing will be handed to me. So for me to see how far I have come with God’s grace and mercy is a blessing. Truly grateful for the genuine people God has placed around me and who have pushed me out of my comfort zone to become a better version of myself.

I am who I came to be thanks to you, Tara!

I have worked on myself to have a positive outlook, I am a constant work in progress. I feel I am always under construction, I know there is so much more I can do with my life. I am ready for the journey life has set for me. I will fall but I know with God’s Amazing Grace I will get back up. “If I don’t see you later I will see you mañana.”

I never give up, never compare my path with anyone else’s, and I find something good in every situation to be grateful for!

I put myself through college after being raised in a low income family. My dad passed away when i was 18 years old. I became a prevention educator and worked in public schools encouraging healthy decisions. I became a clinical social worker, and later worked as a college career center director before recently retiring. I still provide online counseling. My life has been devoted to helping people better their lives and be their best selves.

I am setting boundaries with myself and others and giving myself permission to say no when it’s necessary.

I’m committed to remaining humble and to not be jaded by blessings but also feel worthy of them. My path has been full of obstacles, never straight, and rarely paved. It’s only with self reflection and solemn acceptance with a devotion toward growth and spirituality that I’m able to feel like a warrior ready for the battle of life. The inevitable humanness of our unique experiences. I feel strong through my experiences, and I don’t feel shame for they aren’t always pretty. I feel phenomenal in that I’m finally using my voice and listening to it..to “be who I came to be”

I was in a job that was not aligned to my strengths. I took a leap and switched careers! I am now an award-winning EQ coach, Trainer and Speaker and love every day!

I've definitely had an interesting path to where I am now, but I wouldn't change a thing! I wound up exactly where I needed to be. I know the mistakes and the right choices all put here, and I couldn't be happier.

I am a college graduate who has stayed at home for over 20 years to raise our 3 kids (which I LOVE), but I knew I was always meant for more! A MUA introduced to me to a pro makeup & natural skincare line and it opened up a whole new world for me. Now I am living in fulfillment by helping others step into a better version of themselves, being more involved in community, and constantly growing myself in all ways while still being there for our children and leading them in a life they love.

I live by the mantra that if you don’t take care of yourself you cannot take care of others. You know, just like the flight attendants say, “put your mask on before assisting others put theirs on”. It allows me to honor me but also be the best for others!

My path stated when as a child, I watched my dad lose his battle with cancer. I knew this was a pivotal moment & I asked why my dad? The answers were revealed in Eastern Medicine. So I pursued my studies to be a licensed massage therapist in NYC at the age of 22. Then I stared a private practice & my butterfly dream was to become an acupuncturist so I moved to LA & got my masters in 2016. I recently moved back to KC to care for my elderly mother. I am so blessed to do what I love & I love helping people heal!

My path to becoming who I am today has been a winding road through tumultuous terrain. In 2012 my world was turned upside down when my otherwise healthy infant son had a 45 minute seizure that eventually introduced us to a diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome and the world of special needs parenting. Unsure of how to proceed with this new life, I made the decision to leave my job as a fourth grade teacher to focus on my son. In the decade that followed I learned just how few resources and little support is available for families like ours. My journey with my son inspired me to help others who are walking similar paths. In April 2023 I launched It Takes a Village Special Needs Parent Coaching to help families navigate the complexities of raising a child with profound special needs. It’s been a journey I never would have picked if given the choice, but I know I’m where I’m supposed to be and that I’m doing what I was put here to do. ❤️

2 1/2 years ago I woke up and I was physically numb from my waist down, with that I lost my ability to walk.
3 weeks in hospital and endless medical tests I went home in a wheelchair and a diagnosis of idiopathic transverse myelitis 🤯.
It has been a journey to relearn how to walk, still wobbly but better.
The words my neurologist gave me were, "what you lack neurologically, you have to make up physically ". Every Day is the day I become stronger 💪
This photo... this was an exceptionally hard day, near the end of my rope and I forced myself to push forward and 'girl, at least put some make-up on '.
I felt amazing. I hadn't smiled in awhile, this photo reminds me to dig, it's there!

My path to today has certainly been full of twists & turns! The one constant has always been my confidence & betting on myself. I am beyond proud of being an entrepreneur & the business that I have created. I hope to continue to inspire people to be the best version of themselves!

It's a fun balancing act of finding ways to better myself while being grateful for who I am and what I can bring to the table!

I believe I can accomplish any goal I set my mind to as long as I work for it and stay true to myself. I am currently taking a very big step in my boutique business and ready to step into my full potential!

Growing up I struggled because I wasn’t athletic, and I had a hard time in school it didn’t come easy for me! I started to believe that I didn’t matter and was quite lost for years! I loved people and I was super social but had several road blocks that were holding me back because of my beliefs in what I was telling myself.

After doing some tough work on myself and overcoming several fears that I had I have grown to love who I am as an individual and believe now that I matter very much!

I am Christina, owner of Sweet Streams Lavender. We are a Kansas farm and online boutique. We have a passion for sustainable and organic farming practices to provide clean lavender products, free of chemicals. I am also a full-time corporate gal who has navigated corporate America for 30 years. I believe I have a lot to share others in this space to learn how they can bring their best self to work. I am a mom of 3 young men, 27, 22, 13. This is the year of overflow and blessings and I would love to be on your podcast.

For years I knew I wanted something more. More time with my family, more time outdoors, more mornings where I was excited about my day. When I finally found something that checked all the boxes, I jumped and never looked back.

After one of those “stop you in your tracks” moments through a cancer diagnosis at 29 years old, I set out on a path to redesign my life in a way that allowed me to live more fully, authentically, and with as much joy and magic as I could create. What’s transpired in the few years since is nothing short of amazing, with twists and turns that had me step further into my womanhood, using my voice in new ways, finding my power again, and using all of that to support myself and others through healing in homes, workplaces, and ultimately our souls. Cancer was the hardest thing I’ve experienced as an adult, and turned out to be my biggest gift by being a catalyst for an intentional life.

I truly believe that to become the person you want to be and actually like you have to work on your heart, mind, and soul. I have through the different journeys and obstacles done exactly that. I have had the opportunity to have it all the lose it in a bankruptcy and spouse's addiction. Then we rebuilt our marriage, finances, and I found a jewelry business that filled our soul and my wallet. Then I realized a few years later I had outgrown that and that is ok. I moved on and became a top leader with another company and learned more about myself as a friend, leader, and salesperson. Then cancer hit me in 2020 and found the new version of me.

I owe it all to my mother. She is the most beautiful woman I've ever met who always encourages me to be honest, kind, and most importantly- myself!

After years and years of mental manipulation I finally crawled out from under the rock and told.my self that I am.worthy of everything I can dream of. Now I spend as.muc ti.e.as I can helping other stuck women do the same...

The 5th generation of a Kansas farm family demands innovation and resilience. Taught well by our ancestors, the challenge is greeted each day with the intention to continually evolve in mind, spirit, and soul. Reading, writing, networking, being curious. Creating, developing, connecting. Honoring the natural elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Attention to the universal energies and the moon phases that enhance every living thing. Lifting others and making space for what may not be happening yet, but continuing in the hope that at the right time that it's supposed to, all comes together. In the mean time, patience, learning, and progressing.

Be more specific and I’ll write something up for you 😝❤️❤️

I was a lost caterpillar when I entered my twenties. I had withdrawn my butterfly goal of being an Oscar Award winning actress and dropped out of The University of Kansas. In the goal oblivion I hopped from job to job, partner to partner, unknown to unknown. Then my cocoon began to crack and a little bit of light came in when I got certified and began work as a Peer Support Specialist, supporting people living with mental health diagnosis, trauma history, and/or substance use disorder. Recovery is possible and one can stay well for long periods of time. The cocoon cracked completely when I came on board with my current company. I worked my way from customer service agent, to trainer, to leadership facilitator. Currently, I’m living my dream job with my dream team and I can finally breathe a sigh of celebration because I have opened my butterfly wings and begun to take flight. Did I mention my company paid for me to finish my bachelor’s degree from The University of Kansas? It’s true! I may not be starring in a blockbuster movie, but the part I’m playing in my own life is the role of a lifetime.

I am who I am because of the family I’m in. Lots of life lessons have made ME - be who I came to be ! I have pulled my strength from my family, period. We are strong for each other and there is no doubt about my love and passion for them. It’s my purpose to be that mother, wife, sister, cousin, and friend to all in my circle. Small and close that it may be, it is what I love and truly have been blessed with the best !

Losing my mom young at 8 and becoming a young mother at 20 and then again at 25 has pushed me into becoming to mom I always missed out on. The present mom. The available mom. The forgiving mom. My middle school aged son came home the other day and told me his friends said I was a cool mom. I just wanna be their safe space. The kind and understanding human I want others to be. Not everyone has an easy path and overcoming more trauma than just losing my mom young has shaped me into someone I’m pretty proud of being. The road has been tough but man it’s also been a beautiful journey.

Earlier this year I finally took the leap to begin exploring what it would be like to follow my dreams and not let fear get in the way. After thirteen years of being on the path of earning degrees, certificates and climbing the ladder, I realized I have another purpose which has been with me since I was a little girl. I’ve felt a strong pull to combine my love of fashion with my corporate leadership experience to hopefully start an image consulting business. Although the stage I’m in is so messy and confusing, I’m proud for my action of putting myself out there and starting to figure things out one baby step at a time. Taking imperfect steps is better than living an unfulfilled life. I’m so excited for the future and whatever this new journey holds for me!

A catcher….a catcher for a wild pitch thrown to me on 7/20/22.

The pitch thrown, that I had no choice but to catch, was a 120mph curve ball, ending with the bottom dropping out.
That pitch was when one of my beautiful, 35 year old identical twin son went to Heaven. An abdominal aneurysm took him as he slept. I couldn’t catch this pitch. It was WILD! It hit me! It continues to hit me every day!
Who have I NOW become to be…I asked myself that. And the “teacher” in me, along with my amazing God, said to now become an encourager to other Moms/Dads who also was thrown this wild pitch called loss. God wants me to share who Jesus is & the beauty of Heaven…my final stop.

This is my lovely daughter Anna! She amazing me that at such a young age has so much maturity and grace. She had a baby girl 2 weeks ago and love seeing her become such a loving mommy. So proud of the woman she is!

When I was growing up and going through elementary, middle, and high school, it was hard. Studying and still failing hard. I started college at a local community college, just trying to figure out what I wanted to do. My GPA and ACT scores would not have gotten me into any grand university or to get a scholarship. After two years, I transferred to a university in my city, where I graduated with a degree in elementary education. I wanted to be that person for students. That person who helped the light bulb go off. Helping struggling students, like the teachers who helped me. With teaching, learning never stops. This past year, amongst the passing of my father, I graduated with my masters degree from Creighton University. A college that would have never looked at me straight out of high school. My children had the privilege of watching their mom juggle classes, while teaching full time, and being a mom. They got to see me choose homework over television, and put in the late nights to get the grade I wanted. Having them see me cross the stage in May was priceless.

I grew up comparing myself to everyone, feeling I could never be good enough. Even though I've accomplished a lot, I couldn't bring myself to take credit for the accomplishments, including getting all excellent reviews while in corporate. I felt I would be boasting if I felt proud of myself. When I got your book, Be Who Came To Be, I then realize I'm here not to live for anyone sense but for me, 100% me for my children and grandchildren. And that's what I want that to be my legacy. Thank you, Tara, for helping me find me!! Luv you ❤️

Being my daughter’s mother is pure joy. Her diagnosis of Down Syndrome changed my life and brought me to where I needed to be. Authentically ME!!!

after years of searching for something outside of me to validate me as a pro speaker, an author, a creator, a human, an artist, and insert what feels like a million other titles I wear as an entrepreneur, I've finally realized that it's always been me. I was born with the last name HOLLER on purpose, and I intend to do just that.

At the age of 47, I will redefine what it looks like to age ambitiously, remix your life, and continue to HOLLA at your dreams.

Sometimes, we must burn it all down to build a life that truly reflects who we really are.

2023 has been a hard year for me. I lost my dad in February, a mentor in August, my job in September, a friend in October & a sister in November. Even though these losses were heartbreaking, I am pushing forward and committed to living my life to the fullest!

It’s taken a few years to stop saying YES to everything my new motto “if its not a heck yes then its a heck no” I don’t have to please everyone and it’s so refreshing! Building relationships with all kinds of people from different backgrounds has been so fun to put myself out there and not be afraid. I am who I am and I love it!!

In the last year I have put myself first and lost 75 pounds. I realized how true the quote is “you can’t fill from an empty cup” is. I have shown up for myself in more ways than ever!

Every day I work to do and be better than the day before. It only takes 1% improvement to make it a great day

Where to begin, this is my beautiful daughter Emily! She put herself through nursing school to graduate right as the Covid pandemic hit. Worked long scary hours and helped bring me groceries as I stayed at home with her special needs sister. She loves fiercely and has grown into an amazing woman that I’m so proud of!

As I look back on my life that has led me to where I currently stand, I am overwhelmed with the aligned chapters of preparation to which are responsible for all that I’ve endured and furthermore, accomplished thus far. The strength built within me as the daughter of a Marine, and how my father’s journey to recovery after 26 years of service led me to Yoga, how meeting my husband, also a service disabled veteran, affirmed the mental effects and healing of what I teach and am so passionate about… and now being a mother with awareness and the capacity to teach coping mechanisms through breathe and movement to my daughter so the struggles of life don’t weigh so heavy. I am truly blessed to have been through all of my trials and tribulations, for they all are tributes to what my role is in this world.