Purpose sits next to the worst thing that’s ever happened to you

08/04/2025

Your Purpose Lives Next to Your Pain: A Truth that Hit Home for me

This episode is inspired by a TikTok video I discovered that changed how I look at purpose – maybe it will for you too.

It was a video by Dan Martell — author, coach, entrepreneur — and he said something I just had to share with you about how to uncover your purpose:

Table of Contents

“Purpose sits next to the worst thing that’s ever happened to you.”

Whew. I know. Let that sit with you for a second.

In this episode, I unpack that powerful idea — what it means to me, and how it might just help you find your higher calling, especially if you’re a mama trying to rebuild, rediscover, or explore your purpose beyond motherhood.

I talk about:

How your deepest pain can become your greatest gift
The questions to ask yourself to uncover your purpose
Why becoming the person you once needed is the most powerful transformation
How this journey ties into the mission behind Mama What’s Next — and why supporting mothers in their careers isn’t optional, it’s essential (for all of us)

Whether you’ve ever felt like the black sheep in your family, or you’re navigating big changes, I see you. I feel you. And I want you to know — you are not alone.

So let’s take a walk or pop in those earphones in during nap time or while you’re getting dinner ready — and let’s catch up and uncover your purpose.

And hey — if you have enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a quick review, or share this with someone who needs a little sunshine today. 💛

Sending love,

Melie x

So let’s have a chat and break down what he meant when he said that: “Purpose sits next to the very worst thing that’s ever happened to you.”

It made me stop and think: What was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through? And more importantly the follow on question… who would I have needed during that time?

This simple yet powerful question leads to something incredible — clarity about your purpose. Because when you start to envision the support you wish you had, you begin to become that person. And that, my friend, is where purpose is born.

From Pain to Purpose: Follow this simple exercise to uncover your purpose

Let’s try this together.

Think about the hardest time in your life.
Was it feeling unseen as a child? A deep sense of loneliness? The pressure of starting over in a new country?
Now ask yourself: who would you have needed then?
Someone who made you feel safe? Seen? Encouraged? Loved unconditionally?
Now imagine becoming that person.
Not just for yourself… but for others walking through what you once overcame.

That’s where the fire in your belly starts to lit up. That’s how you find the strength to keep going. That’s what turns a dark chapter into a divine mission.

Why This Matters So Much to Mothers

So many of us mothers carry so much — not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and generationally. And let’s be honest: society still hasn’t caught up to truly supporting mothers in their careers, dreams, or healing journeys. Often I hear (and have experienced first-hand) how mothers stay in relationships (personal or professional relationships) out of fear or lack of support.

They don’t follow their dreams. They don’t follow what lights them up. Because they lack support. They often lack the financial means to feel secure enough to follow their heart.

This breaks my heart. I have my own personal story of watching this first-hand.

It’s one of the reasons I started Mama What’s Next.

Because I’ve watched someone very close to me live like this.

But I also now that I’ve lived the opposite.

Restarting from zero in different countries, navigating motherhood solo, reinventing my career multiple times. I know it’s possible.
Personally it took me a lot of conviction, resilience, persistence and the never-ending belief that life is meant to be lived fully, whole-heartedly, meaningfully.

But many of us don’t dare to take these steps. Many of us need more support, community, belonging. They need help finding clarity. They need encouragement.

So I created the space mothers should have.

We Deserve Better Systems

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the modern workplace still isn’t designed with mothers in mind. When remote work opportunities are pulled back, it’s mothers who pay the price.

We’re forced to choose — again — between career and family.
We’re told we can’t “have it all.” Again.
But here’s the thing: we can do both. And many of us want to. And many of us need to.

We need work that lights us up. That fills our other cup. That lets us grow, create, build, and contribute beyond our family and home — not in spite of motherhood, but because of it.

So that we may become the best version of ourselves, so that we thrive, and in turn – raise thriving children.