naomi’s story

I'm Naomi, an advocate for the sharing of personal stories. I find them far more captivating than traditional bios, as they reveal the essence of a person and the unique melody they wish to contribute to the world. I firmly believe that when each of us is inspired to express ourselves fully, the world becomes a better place. Our workplaces transform into environments where innovation, inspiration, and inclusivity are integral to our daily lives—a space for creativity, self-realization, and fulfillment to thrive.

I’m a lawyer?

When I was six years old, I remember my mother saying, “She’s going to be a lawyer”. Evidently, I possessed a knack for arguing my case and presenting my points, often outlasting adults in these debates. One caveat here: we were very poor and had access to just a couple of TV channels, so it was more fun to challenge the grown-ups!

Somewhere on my way to a brilliant and lucrative career as a lawyer, I got lost and joined the military instead.

Or Maybe an Adventurer?

I've always had a taste for adventure, a longing that seems to have been with me as long as I can remember. Growing up, my parents never ventured far from our home, and my exposure to the world was limited to the states of Texas and Louisiana. We moved back and forth between these two states every couple of years, finally settling in what I considered, at the time, the smallest town in Texas. My high school class consisted of only 12 students, me included. Despite being second in my class, I didn't even qualify for the top 10%. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled about living in this seemingly remote part of Texas. This only fueled my desire to explore the world and get as far away as possible.

Immediately after graduating from high school, I embarked on a two-year adventure in Japan (a story for another time). At the age of 20, I returned home with no concrete plans or ideas about my future. College was financially out of reach, and the best job I could secure was as a cashier at the local Chevron gas station. I was on a quest to discover my path in life, and I knew I couldn't find it in that small town.

As I grappled with life's uncertainties, my younger brother was making decisive strides, boldly declaring his intention to join the Navy. It's worth noting that we weren't a military family, and my knowledge of the military was largely shaped by movies like "A Few Good Men," which didn't exactly paint a rosy picture. Nevertheless, my brother's determination inspired me, sparking the realization that maybe this was a path I could also explore.

Despite having no prior knowledge of what lay ahead, I found myself walking into the recruiting office one day, ready to take the plunge. I made the life-changing decision to join the Air Force.

Or Maybe a Type-A Leader?

Choosing my military career path was a daunting decision. Initially, I contemplated the idea of pursuing law school, fulfilling the vision my mother had always held for me - becoming a lawyer. So, I set my sights on becoming a paralegal as my starting point. However, much to my disappointment, paralegal wasn't one of the job options available to me. I was presented with a range of interesting alternatives, but in the process, I discovered a valuable lesson about myself when I ultimately accepted a position as a medical administrator.

What became clear to me was that, beyond the specific job title, what truly mattered was who I would be working alongside and the level of intrigue and challenge the work would offer. This lesson, prioritizing the people and the substance of the work, would prove to be a guiding principle throughout my career.

As I advanced in my role as a medical administrator, I found myself progressing and succeeding. I was fortunate to have exceptional mentors who contributed significantly to my development. This phase of my career served as a solid foundation, teaching me about life, discipline, and leadership. Around the 13-year mark, I yearned for a fresh learning experience and believed that becoming an Aide to General Officers would provide both a valuable skillset and exciting challenges.

In this role, I gained insight into the organization at its highest levels and witnessed the incredible contributions made by all involved. I was blessed to have remarkable leaders who recognized in me a fervor for learning and a willingness to face challenges head-on. Over the course of my career, I embarked on five assignments spanning four divisions and three functions, accumulating more than 20 years of valuable experiences. It was an exhilarating journey, to say the least.

Or Maybe an Entrepreneur?

Around the 18-year mark, I started to think about what I wanted to be when I decided to leave the military. I thought: “I really don’t know who I am outside of being a service member”. My career had been about duty, sacrifice, and achievement, but now I wanted to find what truly inspired me. So, instead of handling my crisis responsibly by engaging in retail therapy, I hired a transition coach.

In learning how to practice mindfulness, I discovered what brought me a sense of purpose and joy was helping people to grow and experience that “lightbulb moment” – a new insight or paradigm shift that makes them bigger than who they thought was possible. I decided to leave my 20-year career to start learning the field of Executive Coaching. Every day continues to be full of challenges and adventures.

Or Maybe A Dreamer?

Our work provides a remarkable chance to explore our strengths and weaknesses, uncover our life's purpose, and turn it into a reality. It's becoming clear that my desire is to leave a meaningful impact by guiding individuals toward embracing their true selves. Specifically, I find this a compelling mission for leaders in workplaces and am driven by a passion to witness their success and the success of their team.

Or Maybe All of the Above?

In the work that I now do every day, I get to integrate all aspects of me – the lawyer, the adventurer, the businessperson, the entrepreneur, the dreamer. I firmly believe that genuine authenticity emerges when we harmonize and unite all aspects of ourselves, even the ones we're still learning to embrace. This integration allows us to be at ease, fully composed, accessible, and adaptable in a rapidly evolving world.

What about you? I extend an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to fully manifest your most inspired self, creating a meaningful impact in your world.

Are you ready to join me?