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Challenge: WHO Are You?

FROM ROCK BOTTOM TO LIVING MY DREAM LIFE

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I can't help but feel an immense amount of gratitude towards everything I have experienced in my life. We all have a choice to make. We can be upset about the challenges we face, or we can find the blessing in the mess of our lives.

As I reflect on how my life has evolved over the years, it's intriguing to see how much growth I have experienced both personally and professionally. I have had several trials and tribulations over the years that could have derailed me, but at the end of the day, I'm still here to tell my story.

For nine years, I struggled to conceive due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. I was previously married and my husband and tried everything we could to fulfill our dream of becoming parents. I endured several surgeries, countless office visits for ultrasounds, lab work, and more. To our anguish, nothing seemed to work.

In December 2012, we divorced. I was at the lowest point in my life. I was in a lot of debt due to poor financial decisions and infertility treatments. I struggled to support myself with one income financially. There were times I had no electricity, food to eat or gas in my vehicle to get to work. I was working two jobs and trying to operate an MLM business at the time. I was exhausted. I was embarrassed at how my life turned out and was devasting to think that I may never fulfill my dream of being a Mother. I was unsure of where my life was going, and everything was depressing.

I went about my days just hoping and praying that my life would turn around. I felt like such a loser and a disappointment to my family. How could it be that I was thirty, divorced, childless, and without a career? As an educated woman, it didn't add up. I knew I was meant for more and my current life needed an overhaul.

Shortly after my divorce, I reconnected with an acquaintance who is now my wonderful husband. God sure does work in mysterious ways, and our love story is a prime example. After several requests for a date, I obliged despite my better judgment and much to my dismay it was the best decision I could have made.

I can't say that it was love at first sight, but I can say that it was love at first kiss! The moment he kissed me I knew with every fiber of my being that I would marry him one day. And I did!

Little did I know what God had planned for us and our future but I am so grateful I gave him a chance. Approximately 15 months after we started dating we became pregnant. Against all the odds and four specialists, we conceived on our own. We couldn't believe it! We undoubtedly received God's grace.

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Photo Credit: Taryn Marie Photography

Fast forward to after the birth of my son; I was working at an insurance company in the retirement department and making decent money. I was good at my job but craved more. I felt so unfulfilled and underutilized. I knew that working long days away from my miracle baby was not something I desired. I longed to be home with him and eagerly wanted more for my life.

About two months after returning to work from maternity leave, I got the idea to start a business. Not another MLM but a business that was mine and that would leverage my strengths as well as fulfill my passion and purpose.

While on a break at work I happened to be scrolling through Facebook and came across a Facebook Ad for a business coach. I was intrigued. I navigated to her website to read more about her work. After doing some research, I quickly realized that my dream business was to become a coach and consultant.

Roughly two weeks from seeing the Facebook Ad, I hired that business coach to help me set up and launch my new coaching business. With her support and guidance, I was able to ditch my "9-5" as a breadwinning new Mom 90-days from the launch of my business! Talk about surreal!

Now I'm able to live out my dream life and have a "laptop lifestyle" where I can work around my priorities. My son is home with me every day, and I am no longer missing out on his milestones like I did the first year of his life. I have the freedom to snuggle in bed with him in the morning, stay up late watching Thomas and Friends or grab an ice cream cone from our favorite place whenever we feel like it.

Truthfully though, I have to pinch myself sometimes. I can't believe that this is my reality. It's incredible to see how far I have come in five short years. From feeling like I was at rock bottom to living my version of a laptop lifestyle.

And to think, for years I thought my identity was a direct result of my success, but I have learned that I am who I am because of my life story - the good, bad, and even the ugly stories. Each moment in my life has shaped me into who I am and my journey to parenthood and living my dream life is my favorite story to share. It is what makes me, ME.

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Photo Credit: Marissa June Photography

Who am I? I am a wife, a mother, and a business owner who has overcome some of life's greatest challenges but through perseverance, faith, and grit, I have learned to use my story to inspire others to find their blessing in disguise and live their dream life.

Who are you and what is your story?

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