For a long time, I’ve found myself driven by a single question that has shaped every role I’ve held, every interaction I’ve navigated, and every challenge I’ve faced: What does it mean to be truly authentic? At first, I thought authenticity was about being honest, saying what’s on your mind, and staying true to your values. But as I’ve worked with others—whether as a pastor, mentor, coach, or simply as a friend—I’ve come to realize that authenticity is much more than honesty. It’s a dynamic process, a continual peeling back of layers until we reach the core of who we are, and then using that discovery to drive forward in ways that matter. This understanding has become foundational to everything I believe, teach, and live by.
As I’ve come to define it for myself, authenticity is more than just a state of being; it’s a momentum. It’s the pulse, the very essence of the life I want to live and the impact I hope to have. And, as I reflect, I see that my journey has been one of learning to trust this process—to see authenticity as not just a guiding principle, but as the actual engine driving momentum forward.
Authenticity as the Engine of Momentum
This is more than a concept; it’s a lived reality that I’m just now realizing defines me. When I look back, I see the trials, setbacks, and unexpected turns that I once viewed as obstacles, now in a completely different light. They were actually refining tools, not just to develop resilience, but to reveal a more authentic version of myself that I didn’t know was there. It wasn’t about “getting through” challenges but allowing those challenges to strip away everything extraneous. Every setback was a recalibration, a deeper dive into understanding myself, my values, and my purpose.
And that’s a truth I want to share: momentum isn’t about blindly pushing forward; it’s about moving in alignment with who you truly are. It’s about recognizing that the closer you get to your authentic self, the more natural, powerful, and sustainable that forward motion becomes. Authenticity doesn’t just drive momentum—it defines the direction and quality of it.
A Journey of Discovery
I used to think that, as long as I stayed true to my values, I’d be on the right path. But over time, I realized that staying true to my values was only one part of the equation. The harder, more elusive part was aligning all of my actions, thoughts, and even my ambitions with that core truth. Authenticity isn’t static; it’s dynamic. Every time I face a new challenge, it forces me to ask, What does my authentic self look like here? It’s not enough to say I’m being honest or following a principle. Authenticity demands that I’m engaged with who I am at my core in real time.
This realization changed how I view everything—especially how I view setbacks. Obstacles aren’t just roadblocks to overcome; they are essential to refining our authentic selves. They reveal what’s non-negotiable, what’s vital, and what needs to be left behind. I learned that in every setback, there’s a deeper authenticity waiting to be discovered if I’m willing to go there.
There was a point where I thought resilience was simply a trait to be developed—a way to endure, to persist, to make it through. But resilience, I now see, is an authentic response to life’s challenges. It’s the process of letting my truest self come forward, no matter what’s in front of me. True resilience isn’t just about bouncing back or pushing through. It’s the grit that comes from knowing exactly who I am and trusting that this identity will sustain me through whatever comes next.
Refining Authenticity Through Challenge
In my journey, I’ve found that challenges and setbacks serve a purpose far deeper than I initially understood. They are checkpoints, not simply to overcome but to recalibrate who I am. Every obstacle I’ve faced has refined me, forced me to confront aspects of myself I might have ignored or overlooked. It’s in the challenges that I’ve been able to ask, What parts of me are genuine, and what parts are just reactions or defenses?
Each time I face hardship, I find myself peeling back another layer. This is the process I want to guide others through. Authenticity isn’t about just getting comfortable with who you are—it’s about continually refining who you are until you reach that core truth. It’s a journey of letting go, of stripping away what doesn’t serve, and of welcoming the parts of ourselves that emerge when all pretense is gone.
Through all of this, I’ve learned that authenticity is not only the source of my momentum—it’s the compass. It doesn’t just tell me how to move forward; it shows me where to go, how fast to go, and why I’m moving in that direction in the first place. Momentum, when grounded in authenticity, isn’t about speed or intensity. It’s about alignment, integrity, and purpose.
From Self-Discovery to a Movement
With this understanding, I feel an urgent need to translate my journey into something that can be shared, taught, and lived by others. The foundation of my momentum program, then, is authenticity—not just as a concept to grasp, but as a life process to engage in fully. I want to guide others through the journey of uncovering their truest selves and aligning their lives around that core identity, because I believe that’s where real momentum lies.
To make this practical, I’m shaping the Momentum Coaching program around stages that honor this journey:
1. Discovery: It begins with peeling back layers, facing the hard truths, and identifying what’s genuinely there. Here, people must delve into their own beliefs, values, and aspirations, but without filters. It’s a time to excavate their unfiltered truth and confront the reality of who they are.
2. Alignment: This stage is about more than understanding one’s identity; it’s about integrating it into real life. This is where authenticity meets reality, where people bring what they’ve discovered into alignment with their actions, relationships, and goals. Here, the work is to make sure that momentum isn’t driven by external pressures but by a genuine, internal drive.
3. Refinement Through Challenge: I want to teach others that obstacles are not setbacks; they’re essential tools. This is the stage where resilience becomes more than endurance. It’s the point where challenges serve as mirrors, reflecting what’s true and what needs further refinement. I want people to embrace challenges, not as something to conquer, but as opportunities to shed anything false and become more fully themselves.
4. Amplification: Finally, as authenticity deepens, it radiates outward. This is where momentum reaches others, impacting relationships, work, and community. Authentic people naturally become catalysts, and at this stage, I want to show others how their momentum can empower and inspire those around them.
My Vision for Authentic Momentum
As I shape this program, I’m realizing that authenticity doesn’t just drive momentum—it creates a legacy. When you’re truly aligned with who you are, every step forward leaves a mark, influences others, and creates a ripple effect. That’s what I want for myself and for others. I want to help people reach a place where they are not just moving forward, but moving forward in a way that leaves a meaningful impact.
This journey has shown me that the world doesn’t need more people who are simply moving fast or achieving goals. We need people who are moving authentically, whose very lives become testimonies of alignment, integrity, and purpose. I’ve found that authenticity, paired with resilience, is the most powerful force for true, lasting momentum.
And for me, this isn’t just a theory—it’s the truth that my life, my work, and my relationships are built on. It’s the truth that I’ve discovered through struggle, growth, and a lot of letting go. Now, I’m ready to share this journey with others, to help them see that their most authentic selves aren’t just their destination—they’re their guide, their engine, and their legacy.
If there’s one thing I know now that I didn’t fully grasp before, it’s that authenticity is not only my foundation; it’s my responsibility. It’s what I owe to myself, to those I love, and to those I lead. Authenticity isn’t just the answer to “Who am I?”—it’s the way forward, the roadmap, and the reason for every step I take.
So, I invite you to join me. Not to simply find yourself, but to understand that who you are, at your core, is the most powerful source of momentum you could ever have. Embrace it, let it drive you, and watch how your life becomes a testament to the journey of becoming fully, authentically, you.