“Where do you see yourself five years from now?” one of the panel interviewers asked me.

For the first time in my 12 years of working, I had a definite answer. For the first time, I did not come up with a generic-Miss-Universe-type of response based on what would please the interviewer.

Did it really take me that long to figure out what I wanted to do? Yes and no.

Immediately after college, I started my career as a website administrator and developer, which seemed like a good default first step for an IT graduate. Through the years, I worked myself up the so-called corporate ladder, taking on roles that are more business and managerial in nature. I loved all the roles I took. But there were two that I loved most—being a training and development manager, and a people manager. I was in a state of flow everytime I was facilitating a training and workshop. I felt a deeper sense of fulfilment whenever I see those that I’ve mentored succeed in their own fields.

When the perfect opportunity came, I left my job. Honestly, my plans weren’t rock solid when I left. All I knew is that I need to get back to work after a certain period of time. Initially, my plan was just to take a short break, and then go back to the corporate world but this time in the field of people development.

It was a rocky road, to say the least. It was a battle I fought with myself and a big test of faith. After 12 years of being in the limelight, earning big bucks and making a name for myself, I found myself in a situation I never imagined to be: a stay at home mom. I felt real and free, yet also very vulnerable.

I invested in my personal development. I had to level up my skills in this new field I am in. I took online and face-to-face courses, partnered with mentors and a coach. I attended workshops that helped me pursue my passion. I learned social media marketing, personal branding, and eventually earned my certification as a Transformative Life Coach. Slowly, my goal became clearer and closer to me. And the journey towards it is continuing to transform me to a better, more intentional and purposeful version of myself.

Today, I am a life coach and a trainer. I do freelance and project-based work for companies and direct clients. I run my own personal brand, Kurlyconnects (@kurlyconnects), on social media. Having gone through all these, I aim to help women in finding clarity, meaning and direction through a journey of self-discovery, personal transformation and intention. I am also a volunteer facilitator in a community based drug rehabilitation and relapse prevention program. I use social media as a means to spread positivity, meaning and inspiration to as many people as I can reach.

So where do I see myself five years from now? I see myself as a sought-after life coach and trainer, a caring wife, a hands-on mom, and a woman who continues to pursue her dreams and helps other women do the same.