Amelia Colon

I would say discipline and perseverance. Those two things have been the foundation of everything I've accomplished. It's about showing up consistently, even when things get uncomfortable, and pushing through challenges. I've learned to be comfortable with getting uncomfortable at this point in my life, and that mindset has allowed me to keep growing and reaching for my goals no matter what obstacles come my way.

The best career advice I ever received was when somebody once told me, 'Don't take advice from somebody that you wouldn't switch places with.' That was really powerful for me because it changed how I approach guidance from others. I listen and I'm very respectful, because we learn from each other regardless of what level we're at or where we are in our careers and life. But I'm always mindful of whether that advice is helping me grow or trying to block or hinder my growth. I keep what that person told me in mind, knowing that it's okay because I wouldn't switch places with that person. I've learned to be happy with my own path and trust my own journey, even if it doesn't look the same as other people's.

My biggest advice as you are navigating your journey is to not be afraid to try new things. Give yourself permission to be delusional about your dreams, because nothing is out of reach. When you have a dream that's on your heart so much, it's for a reason. I've always surrounded myself in rooms where I want to be with people that are more experienced, maybe more elite, because if not, then I don't consider myself to be learning and growing in that room. I'm comfortable with getting uncomfortable at this point of my life, and I look for that. Be really intentional with your decisions and who you surround yourself with, so that you can get to where you want to be in your journey. It's okay to dream, and it's okay to go after them, and it's okay if your journey doesn't look the same as other people.

The biggest opportunity in my field right now is that since I moved here to Florida, everything has aligned and has been just flooding in with opportunities. I've had a lot of opportunity for growth, something that I was looking for when I was back at home. As for challenges, I would say balancing everything and making sure I pour into myself as well, so that I can have clarity on how I would like to build my brand. The biggest challenge right now is probably just transitioning in this new state and new career that I'm taking a leap of faith on. I'm prepared and I'm ready, but that transition is definitely the challenge I'm facing.

The values that are most important to me are balance, building relationships, and my faith. Balance is crucial because I'm juggling multiple passions and careers, and I need to make sure I'm pouring into myself while also serving others. Building relationships matters deeply to me because connection and community are at the heart of everything I do, whether it's coaching, counseling, or leading my run club. And my faith guides everything - it's what helps me understand my purpose and stay grounded as I navigate this journey of growth and transition.