Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration comes from the young men and women who feel like they have no one who truly understands their struggles. Growing up I saw how many people carried pain in silence. Fueled By Pain was built to turn adversity into purpose and to remind people that their story matters. The courage of my mother, my community, and those who continue fighting through hardship fuels my mission to build something that gives people hope, voice, and direction.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering where I started and the responsibility I carry to represent people who feel unseen. Every message I receive from someone who says the podcast or the message of Fueled By Pain helped them push through a difficult moment reminds me that this work is bigger than me. My motivation comes from purpose. When you know your work is helping change lives and conversations around mental health, quitting is never an option.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 into expanding Fueled By Pain into a larger mental health and storytelling platform. The funding would support podcast production, community events focused on mental wellness, and the development of free digital resources for young people who feel lost or unheard. My goal is to scale the message globally so more individuals can see that their pain does not define them, it can fuel their purpose.