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My story

A personal case study

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My Journey Through the OCAA Model™: From Reflection to Action
Life has a way of bringing us to turning points—moments when we know something has to change. For me, these moments weren’t just challenges; they were opportunities to grow. The OCAA Model™ became my guide, helping me observe, choose, adapt, and advance, so I could realign with my purpose and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Observation: Noticing Patterns and Possibilities
Growing up, I often felt like I was navigating contradictions. My family didn’t always teach us the tools we needed to thrive. There was noise about things that didn’t matter and silence around what did. That shaped how I saw myself and the world.

Early in my career, a supervisor helped me start noticing the stories I told myself. She listened deeply, asked thoughtful questions, and helped me uncover patterns that kept me stuck. I realized I had been living by others’ expectations, wearing masks to fit in. Recognizing those patterns was the first step toward clarity and self-awareness.

Choice: Making Decisions That Align
Inspired by my supervisor’s example, I made a bold decision to leave corporate HR and become a middle school teacher in what was then named the second-most dangerous city in the United States. Teaching gave me the chance to align my values with my actions. Watching my students thrive as they embraced learning reminded me of the power of intentional choices.

But life isn’t always straightforward. Family responsibilities led me to prioritize stability over purpose, and I felt the weight of misalignment. My body even reflected this—I felt heavy and disconnected. It wasn’t until I asked myself, "What really matters?" that I started realigning my decisions with my values.

Adaptation: Realigning and Letting Go
Adapting to challenges didn’t come naturally, but it taught me resilience. When COVID changed everything, I found myself at another crossroads. That’s when I discovered coaching—not just as a career but as a way to reconnect with the core of who I’ve always been.

Coaching helped me let go of doubt and fear, trust my strengths, and rewrite my inner dialogue. I shifted my language to reflect confidence and possibility. With that shift, my emotions and body followed, creating a sense of calm and groundedness I hadn’t felt in years.

Advancement: Moving Forward with Purpose
Starting Empower Forward was my way of stepping into alignment. It wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about creating a space for others to reconnect with their purpose and move forward boldly.

I’ve learned that transformation happens when we align our actions with what truly matters, respond intentionally to our context, and trust the path forward.

Empower Forward is rooted in the OCAA Model™ because it reflects my own journey:

Observation: Recognizing the patterns that shape your life.

Choice: Making decisions that align with your values.

Adaptation: Letting go of what doesn’t serve you and embracing change.

Advancement: Taking purposeful action to create meaningful growth.

How the principles of ontological coaching showed up

Context: My environment and relationships influenced every phase. Understanding my context helped me create alignment and purpose.

Language: Reclaiming my stories allowed me to articulate my purpose clearly and confidently.

Emotions: My emotional state guided me, indicating when I was aligned or misaligned with my values.

Body: My physical state mirrored my internal one. By becoming aware of those signals, I found groundedness and confidence.

Your Story Matters

Empower Forward exists for partnership, supporting you as you reconnect with your purpose, realign your actions, and create meaningful change. It’s not about becoming someone new—it’s about uncovering the truth of who you already are and moving forward boldly from that place.Let’s write your next chapter together.

Let's write your next chapter together.

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