Choosing Change: A Purposeful Journey to the Counseling Profession by

2010-2023 Gingham Nation

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 15:33:15 UTC

I went right from college into the corporate setting with Bath & Body Works. After 7 years, I decided to go out into stores because I wanted to be able to touch more lives and have that human interaction.

2022- Ayahuasca Journey

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 15:37:09 UTC

I went to Ecuador in search of finding my purpose in life. I knew that I was meant for a higher role than who I was portraying every day. After this retreat, I was on a mission to make a difference.

2023- Swapped Scents and Suds for Health and Healing

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 15:45:06 UTC

I was continuing with my mission to help people and to change my career by leaving the corporate scented world for a more fulfilling career by joining Hims & Hers, a company that helps patients through the healthcare field (Mental Health, Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss)

2024- When I Thought I’d Maxed Out My Dreams—and Student Loans—He Pushed Me Higher

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 15:50:37 UTC

I had already had my undergrad in Organizational Communications, my Masters in Business Administration. I told my husband that I always aspired to do wghat he does- change lives. He is a high school theatre teacher and gets to touch so many lives throughout his day. That's exactly what I wanted to do. It wasn't even a discussion of finances and repayment plans, it was "If you want to do this and it makes you happy, then do it."

2024- Affordable Life Coaching Programs to Bridge the Gap—Grow Without the Cost of a Degree

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 15:57:17 UTC

After being given the go ahead, I started searching for life coaching programs as they would not cost as much as a degree. I found one and started taking courses that I could then utilize without having to get the degree. All of this was done against my husband's go ahead of allowing me to go for the degree.

2024- When My Husband Asked Why I Didn’t Enroll—The Guilt of Spending on Myself with Nothing to Show for Us

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:02:54 UTC

I had so much guilt after searching for degrees that I would be throwing another $60+ thousand dollars on just my growth. He said that my success is his success and that I need to make the jump so I can have fully happiness in my career.

2024- After the Green Light, I Started the College Search for Real This Time

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:06:56 UTC

After searching for colleges (I had applied only to one) that fit the schedule I needed and the degree that would best suit getting my LPC within my state, I found that Bradley had everything I needed and at a cost my husband and I could manage.

2023- Near Miss with Stroke Inspires Major Life Reset - Including Career Change

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:30:25 UTC

In February of 2023, I was in a place in my life of experimenting (especially after ridding alcohol from my life) with other drugs, including cocaine usage. I suffered from a mini stroke that literally changed my life onwards. Focusing on my health and making sure that the rest of my time on earth was seen as a gift- just as it was. I began reevaluating my career and what I should be doing to better the world.

1988- the year Matthew (the Middle Child) was born

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:30:58 UTC

I was born May 4, 1988 and would later become a middle child after my parents divorced and my mother remarried.

2010- Graduated with a BS in Organizational Communication Undergrad from Ohio University with a family still intact.

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:33:25 UTC

I had originally wanted to go to school to be an actor but my mother told me that if I am going to college, I needed to go for something that would make me more money. I, instead, went for organizational communication. Funny story here is that I took my first psychology class and got a "D" which was only because I couldn't afford the book and software for the class that year and yet I tried to still keep up without it.

2023- No More Clocking In on Weekends—Just Showing Up for the Ones I Love

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:33:38 UTC

Finally done working weekends from a career in retail, I made sure to spend as much time with my loved ones as I could.

2017- Married to his Best Friend

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:34:03 UTC

I met Allen while going out for drinks with a coworker and we clicked immediately. He was the literal yin to my yang. He is creative, the center of attention and outspoken. He has taught me so much about standing up for what I believe in no matter the cost.

2024- Opening a New Theatre in Central Ohio—Where Theatre Builds Community and Hearts

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:34:30 UTC

To blend both of our passions for the arts and helping others, my husband and I decided to open a theatre space in central Ohio that will educate and create a safe space for performers of all ages.

2024- Answering the Call Sooner: Finding Purpose by Supporting Others Through Crisis

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:36:27 UTC

I wanted to start helping those in need immediately and began by volunteering at Crisis Text Line, a texting service to help those in crisis around the clock.

1993- A Child Full of Wonder and Empathy

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:40:35 UTC

Being the middle child, I was always the one to hold the siblings together. My older brother (Daniel) and my younger half sister (Renee) would always get into bickering matches and I would be the one to make them make up and come back together as a family.

2006- Graduated High School With a Degree in Real Life Counseling Experience

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 16:51:43 UTC

At a young age, I played counselor for my mother and step father. My mother was unfaithful in her relationship with my step father and I was the glue that was there for my step father in order for him to better understand why things were the way that they were. I remember him crying on my shoulder one night saying that he didn't understand why my mother would do that to him. I told him something along the lines of "sometimes people fall out of love." I graduated high school in 2006 and had already had my first "counseling session" as a counselor.

2016- Back to School- This Time to Get a Promotion

mdecarloboyd — 2025-05-24 17:21:38 UTC

I went back to school in order to get a promotion at Bath & Body Works. I graduated with my Master's Degree in Business Administration. After graduation, I indeed, did get a promotion with a significant pay increase.