Age: 54

Occupation: COO of the Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group

Share one experience or piece of advice that would lift other women up and empower them.

Take a self-defense class. Not one that is just about fighting/defending yourself but also about situational awareness. Learning to see the environment around you. Being aware. Because the more aware you are the better your chances of not becoming a victim are.

What would you tell your 14-year-old self?

I would tell my younger self that it is ok to ask for help. I wouldn't want to change anything I've gone through because it's made me the person I am but I could have gotten through a lot of mental turmoil sooner/quicker had I been willing to see that asking for help doesn't mean I'm weak or unable to take care of myself, but rather understanding that we all need someone outside the path to help lead us through it. We still have to do the work and walk it.

What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Learning to love myself.  Growing up being told you weren't good enough or made to feel unloved made it difficult to believe otherwise.  I overcame it by my faith, the love of a few key people in my life and my therapist.  I refused to be a victim,  to be what my circumstances dictated I should be but instead had some real knock down battles with myself to finally see the truth.  That I was worthy of love and lovable.

What is the best advice you have been given?

Always seek the truth out for yourself.  Learn how to find answers instead of relying on someone else to tell you what is true.  This has helped me in all aspects of my life.