What choices have you made that really show who you truly are?

Looking back at the choices I've made, I can’t help but laugh at how life keeps throwing me into the deep end, expecting me to magically swim. Spoiler alert—I’ve been doing more than swimming. I've been practically doing synchronized moves while dodging flying rubber duckies along the way.

Every choice I’ve made has been an experiment in survival, resilience, and sometimes, wildly misplaced confidence. And though life has taught me many lessons (some painfully awkward), one core truth shines through—I show up, do the work, pray hard, I don't quit and keep going...period.

If I had to sum up my life in an elevator pitch, it would be this: "Hi, I'm Julie - stubbornly independent, fueled by sheer determination and powered by a borderline obsessive relationship with leap of faith and prayers. Every major decision in my life has been a mix of "What’s the worst that could happen?" and "Dear God, please help me not mess this up."

Indeed, my life has been a delightful mix of chaos, faith, resilience, and just enough humor to keep me sane. Every challenge—from figuring out school homework without backup to running a business solo when my partners bailed faster than a bad first date—is a chapter in my guidebook of stubborn independence and obsessive determination.

Looking back, certainly every experience is a testament to resilience, faith, and sheer determination.

Here’s a not-so-gentle stroll down memory lane to celebrate the moments that molded my stubborn, chaotic, faith-fueled self.

One moment in High School: The Birth of DIY Determination

Freshman year of high school was when I first discovered my superpower of figuring things out solo. One evening, faced with an intimidating English homework assignment, I turned to my mom for help. Her response? "I don’t know how to help you," followed by poof... straight to bed and slept - leaving me feeling frustrated and unsupported. I was crushed. But instead of wallowing, I powered through, stayed up late, and aced that paper (yes, the one my teacher actually praised in front of the entire class). That was the day I realized two things:

1. I’m capable of figuring anything out when I put my heart and mind to it, and maybe tears!
2. Sometimes, frustration can be the fuel you didn’t know you needed.

That experience planted the seed of self-reliance, showing me the power of perseverance and focus.

College Days – "Lost and Confused"

Fast forward to college - picture me, a small fish in the massive pond of the largest university in my city. My parents, who never attended college themselves, couldn’t guide me through the daunting process of enrollment and campus navigation. I was wide-eyed, confused, and just a little dramatic (there were tears, okay?). Lost in between academic buildings, unsure of where to go or what to do, it felt like a labyrinth made purely to mock me, I almost gave up. I was wandering in the campus like it was a scavenger hunt designed to make me cry. But then, I did what I always do—I figured it out. Through the frustration, I learned that confusion and chaos are actually great teachers (though I wouldn’t recommend keeping them on your speed dial). Sometimes, you just need to cry it out (briefly), then keep going.

Side Note: My parents taught us to value education, even when they themselves hadn’t attended college. Despite financial struggles, their sacrifices motivated me to study hard enough to win scholarships—not just for high school and college, but eventually for my master’s degree as well. Their unwavering belief in education, coupled with my drive, made me push through those overwhelming days; also proving that financial hardship is no match for hard work, optimism, and a heck of a lot of grit.

Career Beginnings: Dreaming Beyond Limitations

After finishing college, I scored a teaching job in my home country immediately. It was fulfilling, yes, but as time passed, I felt a bigger dream tugging at my heart. I knew staying in a public school/single classroom in my home country forever wasn’t for me. I dreamed bigger. Specifically, I dreamed of teaching in the USA.

Of course, sharing my dream with my parents was like pitching a startup to investors who have zero capital and a ton of fear. They were cautious and was upfront that they were unable to offer the financial backing to pursue such a massive goal. But I didn’t see that as a reason to stop. I applied secretly, did ALL the paperwork myself (a nightmare, by the way), and months later, I was on my first solo international flight.

Surviving my first official overseas trip alone was one thing, but progressing in my teaching career while navigating life in a new country was monumental.

Building a career in a foreign country wasn’t easy. Between navigating cultural differences and juggling professional expectations, I was stretched thin. Then came the dossier. Oh, the dreaded dossier—my pathway to Level 2 licensure. I had no guide, no mentor. Just faith and desperation. Writing an entire licensing dossier without a mentor feels like running a marathon blindfolded.

Still, I survived, thrived, and eventually earned my Level 2 teaching license.

Years later, through hard work and persistence, I earned a full scholarship that allowed me to complete a master’s degree in a prestigious university here in the USA. Oh, and fun tidbit? I was the only Asian/Filipino in my cohort. I kept pushing boundaries. Same old tears of self-doubt? Check. Same old bounce-back determination? Double check.

Graduating from that master's degree program catapulted my teaching career further and eventually led me to achieve a Level 3 teaching license. All the struggles, tears, and loneliness brought results, and those milestones remind me of the power of grit, focus, and self-belief.

Career Pivot – From Teacher to CEO

After teaching for 16 years, I swapped the classroom for something far less predictable—business ownership. I founded a job placement agency for international teachers. Easy? Not at all. This was the business equivalent of jumping off a cliff and hoping I could build wings on the way down.

I started with two business partners who promised the world…and bailed within weeks. For extra drama, one of them even poached my clients for a competing agency. Did I sulk? Sure, for a minute, shrugged and said, “Fine, I’ll do it myself!” (Because obviously, that’s my thing.) I did what I always do—I kept going.

Critics whispered behind my back. But here’s the thing. Doubts, criticism, betrayal? They’re just background noise when you’re laser-focused on your goal. And the goal wasn’t about proving anyone wrong or trying to silence naysayers. The whole endeavor was about proving to myself that anything is possible if you put in the work, keep the faith, and trust the process—even when things get messy.

While friends and family voiced doubts, I chose to see criticism as fuel. Slowly, brick by brick, I built the agency. I powered through the tough start, doing everything solo. Today, that same job placement agency has helped over 400 international teachers find opportunities in the U.S.

Sure, success tastes sweet, but it brings its own battles - it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Fast forward to this year, success onboarded its BFF - “Burnout”. Somewhere along the way, burnout crept in like an unwelcome guest. Turns out running a business AND staying sane is like juggling flaming swords on a unicycle. My joy took a back seat. For the first time in forever, I actually considered slowing down (gasp!!) , because the joy that once fueled me was replaced with exhaustion and uncertainty. The joy I once felt has dimmed, replaced by new difficulties that test my endurance and patience every step of the way.

Today’s Reality – Still Dreaming Big

Now, I’m pivoting to a new venture within the same field which is tied to international teacher visa sponsorship - with no guarantees of success and no playbook for what happens if it fails. Will it work? Who knows. Will it be stressful? Absolutely. The stakes are high, the risks are real, and the odds? Well, they’re anyone’s guess. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s this—I’ve been through tougher storms. This is just another leap of faith (and I’ve got pretty strong legs now).

Pivoting my business into new territory, I’ll admit, self-doubt creeps in like an uninvited guest. But my story has always been about dreaming big and trusting the process—even if that process is messy, frustrating, and downright exhausting sometimes. While it’s tough out here, I remind myself daily that the Higher Power has been guiding my path all along. Without Him? None of this is possible. I’ve made peace with the fact that much of my life has been shaped by doing things on my own and having faith in a higher power to guide me. They were driven by a purpose much greater than myself. Everything I’ve achieved and every door that opened wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and support of the Higher Power. I am where I am because of Him, and I am nothing without His grace.

Final Thoughts

If life feels like a chaotic mess, that’s okay. Sometimes, the greatest victories come from the messiest beginnings.

My life may look like a wild ride of accomplishments that only make sense in hindsight. But if there’s one thing that’s always been clear, it’s this—I didn’t do any of it alone. Sure, I worked hard, sacrificed my sanity a few times, and chased my dreams even in the face of doubt. But none of this would’ve been possible without the grace of the Higher Power. Every victory, every breakthrough, every overcoming moment? It’s all Him. I’m just rolling with His plan; and my mantra has been simple but effective: Do your part, have faith, and everything else will fall into place.

Life hasn’t been a breeze, but it’s been one incredible, messy, faith-driven classroom where I’ve learned lessons that no textbook could provide.

To anyone reading this, know that your choices define who you are—not just in the big moments of triumph, but in the small, everyday decisions to believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Your choices also do not just define who you are; they reveal how much you’re capable of when you stop overthinking and start doing.

Keep going, friends. The best is yet to come. 🌟 🍂

Written By: Julie Hejl

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. " - Nelson Mandela