Becoming the Leader I Never Expected to Be

Written by Sonia M. Marroquin

Growing up, I experienced a great deal of self-doubt. I often second-guessed myself, my abilities, my intelligence, and whether I was capable of reaching my goals. That uncertainty sometimes held me back from truly believing in myself. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to use those challenging times as fuel, to push forward, prove to myself what I am capable of, and remind others that they, too, are more capable than they realize.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and our perspective determines whether those challenges become positive or negative experiences. In 2002, I faced a pituitary brain tumor, which completely disrupted my life. Strangely enough, when the tumor returned in 2015, I came to see it as a blessing. That experience reshaped my perspective and taught me to focus on the silver linings rather than the setbacks, and to turn my troubles over to God. Through it, I discovered resilience, courage, and strength I never knew I had. I learned to dig deep, to overcome fears I once thought insurmountable, and to appreciate people and moments more fully.

Lessons like these shape who we are. If we listen and learn from them, we can always find a way to grow stronger. These experiences, along with others I’ve endured, shaped me into the leader I never thought I could be. I can’t say I always dreamed of being a leader, in fact, I once believed it wasn’t possible for me. But now I know we all carry untapped potential. The journey will test you, but remembering your “why,” staying hopeful, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you can make all the difference. Seek out guidance from successful entrepreneurs and leaders. The people who lifted me in my lowest moments helped me move past self-doubt and see possibility where I once saw limitation.

A big part of who I am as a leader comes from those challenges. For me, leadership is not just about guiding; it’s about creating hope, showing positivity, and choosing kindness even when life feels heavy. I openly share my struggles with self-doubt, attention, deficit disorder, hearing impairment, and school difficulties to remind others that challenges do not define us. Instead, they shape us into someone stronger, wiser, and more capable of creating meaningful change.

As a leader, I strive to be someone who offers a hand up, who celebrates small victories, who creates opportunities, and who leads with kindness.

Sonia M. Marroquin Owner of Autonomy Rehabilitation, LLC Golden Ice Cream