In 2020, life placed a crossroads in front of me.

I had the golden ticket in hand, a role at a Fortune 200 company, West Coast living, a generous offer, and a team that believed in me. They didn’t just want me to join — they wanted me to grow, to hire, to lead, to rise.

On paper, it was everything I had worked for.
And it made no logical sense to say no.
The people were amazing, the path was laid out, and the future looked bright.
Even my healer friend and astrologer uncle, who had seen so much in the stars, were surprised.
They hadn’t predicted a move.
But they both reminded me of one truth:
As humans, we still have free will.

And in that moment, my heart spoke louder than any forecast.

Because by then, I had grown close to my nephew.
His smile, his hugs, his trust — that was my first real taste of selfless love.
The kind that doesn’t ask for anything in return.
He was growing up with me as his safe space, and I couldn’t bring myself to leave.
In many ways, that was my opportunity for motherhood — as an aunt, yes, but more deeply, as someone who chose presence over ambition.

Walking away from that job wasn’t a rejection of success.
It was a redefinition.

Because real success doesn’t come from checking all the right boxes.
It comes from knowing which box matters most to you — and choosing it unapologetically.

I didn’t stop my life.
I still found fulfilling work. I still earned well.
I still moved forward, just in a direction that aligned with my soul.
And every other weekend, I still got to hear that giggle, see that face light up, and be reminded of the quiet magic that comes from living in integrity.

That’s the leadership I stand for now.
Lead from your heart.
Lead with love and joy — or no amount of money will ever feel like enough.

And this is the compass I now offer my clients.

Because when I work with high-achieving leaders, we don’t focus on vanity metrics.
We don’t obsess over titles, performance ratings, or follower counts.
We go deeper into the truth of who you are and what your soul is here to experience.

One of the first questions I ask is:
“What will you regret on your deathbed?”
Because when you strip away the noise, your real priorities show up crystal clear.

This isn’t about throwing your ambition away.
It’s about making sure your ambition serves your deepest values, not the other way around.

Five years later, I have no regrets.
In fact, my life feels even more expansive now.
My bond with my nephew grew deeper.
And today, I get to experience that same miracle again — this time, with my one-year-old niece.

They drive me.
They remind me why I wake up and work toward a legacy that’s bigger than myself.
A legacy of peace, connection, and soulful leadership —
So the world they inherit is softer, safer, and more sacred than the one I entered.

Your Phoenix moment doesn’t always come in flames.
Sometimes, it comes with a tiny hand holding yours —
reminding you that you’re already exactly where you’re meant to be.

What’s one shift that changed your definition of success?