What experiences in life helped you grow the most?
Life has a way of teaching us the most profound lessons in our lowest moments. Looking back, the times I hit rock bottom were the very moments that shaped me the most. It’s funny how pain, loss, and failure have a way of pushing us toward self-discovery and purpose.
One of the hardest periods of my life was failing my university entrance exam (Jamb) three times in a row. Each failure felt like a punch to my confidence, leaving me broken and questioning my path. But in that season of defeat, I found something greater—I found myself on my knees in prayer like never before. It was in that stillness and surrender that I discovered my talent for public speaking. What felt like failure at the time was actually redirection.
Another moment that deeply transformed me was losing my mom. Before she passed, I prayed endlessly for her healing, but in hindsight, I realized those prayers were also for me—for strength, for clarity, for purpose. In the months that followed, through the grief, I uncovered my greatest passion: fashion. It became more than just an interest; it became a way to express myself, to heal, and to create something meaningful out of pain.
Every low point in my life has been a stepping stone to something greater. It’s always been bottom-barrel moments that led me to the mountaintop. And while those moments were painful, I wouldn’t trade them, because they shaped me into who I am today.
Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style 