Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?

We have had the good fortunate of connecting with Nobel Laureates, titans of industry, rockstars and rising stars across dozens of industries and we have always found their stories about who they were early on to be most fascinating. Below, you’ll find members of the community sharing their responses to this key aspect of their stories.

Chayse Pannell

For a long time, I felt like my bleeding disorder was my identity. My whole family was full of star athletes, and I couldn’t follow that path. It was too dangerous with Hemophilia. So while everyone else was out playing ball, I was home figuring out what to do. That’s when I found music. Or maybe it found me? Read more>>

Poppin Polly

I am a whimsical little girl. Although I have grown into a grown woman, I also continue to honor the little girl I once was. I was an insecure child but I was very vocal and bright. I did not think anything was wrong with me until people painted pictures of me to make me believe otherwise. Read more>>

Ajia’Marie Leonard

Before the world told me who I had to be, I was simply me, curious, creative, and fearless in the way only a child can be. I didn’t think about standards or limitations; I just followed whatever sparked joy, whether it was playing dress-up, experimenting with beauty, or expressing myself through art and movement. Read more>>

rocko jones

wow. before listening to where god wanted me to be and who he wanted me to be i was timid. shy. unaware. and very unsure about myself. you have to think back then 2014, you didnt have many male open men doing hair. and if you did they were very feminine. Read more>>

Ellen Nguyen

I was a young girl and love art Read more>>

Kate Hayes

Kate: A creative, smiley kid who skipped everywhere she went and spent lots of time outside. Krista: An unapologetically bossy child with a very overactive imagine. Read more>>