Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make – the bold leaps, the quiet compromises, and those moments when we have to trust our instincts. Some decisions change everything, others go unnoticed.
Looking back, three pivotal decisions stand out as turning points that have shaped the course of my life. They weren’t all easy; they definitely weren’t safe bets, but they paid off in ways I never could have predicted.
Here’s what those choices taught me about risk, resilience, and taking control of your life.
1. Leaving home at 16
Sixteen. That’s how old I was when I packed a bag and moved from Leeds to London. I had no plan B and no safety net, but I was determined to carve out my own path. What I didn’t fully grasp back then but understand now is just how much that decision shaped me. It wasn’t only about moving cities- it was about gaining freedom and a sense of control in my life. It was about saying, “I get to decide.”
Twenty years later, I can see that leaving home at 16 was a radical act of self-belief and a decision that taught me to trust my instincts.
Even when I was studying at college whilst working two jobs to pay the rent, I never had any regrets. Sure, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but I’d always remind myself why I left. I didn’t leave because I wanted an easy life. I left because I wanted more – more opportunity, more experiences, more life. That choice came with uncertainty, but it also gave me a gift most people don’t get until they’re much older – a sense of agency. If I wanted something, it was up to me to make it happen.
Sixteen-year-old me didn’t have all the answers, but she had something more important: conviction. She just went for it. And I’ll always be grateful she did.
2. Starting the Power Hour podcast
Six years ago, I made the decision to launch my own podcast. At the time, podcasting was still a relatively new platform in the UK. I had no broadcasting experience, no technical know-how, and no brand or sponsor to fund my idea. But I did have a vision. I wanted to “encourage ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things”.
