Janice DaCosta shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Janice, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, my greatest joy has come from curating the upcoming TEDxMallardCreek event happening on November 8, 2025. Earlier this year, I was honored to be officially approved by TEDx as the licensee holder for this event — a role that carries both responsibility and incredible opportunity. It’s more than just planning an event; it’s about creating a stage where bold ideas can ignite change in our community. Every conversation, every connection, and every detail is infused with the vision of amplifying voices that will inspire, challenge, and move people to action. Bringing TEDxMallardCreek to Charlotte, N.C. isn’t just exciting — it feels like planting seeds for a legacy of transformation right here at home
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a certified life coach, TEDx License Holder, and published author dedicated to helping others reclaim their stories and lead with intention. Through my work, I build platforms for breakthrough conversations and bold, community-centered ideas—whether through TEDxMallardCreek, my leadership as President of the University of Phoenix Charlotte Alumni Chapter, or my transformational travel blog, SeeWhatISee.blog, which honors my late grandparents. Along the way, I’ve been honored as a two-time recipient of the Living Leadership Scholarship from the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), recipient of the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award, and was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who.
Beyond leadership, I create spaces for deep transformation. On my podcast, Choose You: The Quiet Rebellion, I invite listeners to unlearn self-abandonment and rise unapologetically whole. As a mindset life coach, I work one-on-one with clients to help them live in harmony with themselves and embrace fulfillment, while also working on my second book to continue inspiring growth and purpose.
Right now, I am curating the first-ever TEDxMallardCreek event, taking place November 8, 2025—a visionary event of ideas worth spreading. From boardrooms to borders, I see myself not just as a leader, but as a movement, sparking transformation and calling others to rise in the fullness of their power.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a girl who believed her worth was measured by how much she could do and how perfectly she could do it. I battled doubt, overextended myself, and spent years running on the hamster wheel of proving and performing—chasing a version of success that never felt like my own. But those seasons of exhaustion became my training ground. They taught me resilience, sharpened my vision, and ignited a relentless perseverance to rise above the noise. Now, I lead with the strength of someone who’s been through the fire and came out not just standing, but soaring—and I help others do the same.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain the day I realized it wasn’t a weakness—it was my greatest source of power. For years, I wore the mask of ‘I’m fine’ while silently carrying the weight of disappointment, loss, and self-doubt. I thought strength meant pretending I wasn’t hurting. The first time I told my truth was in a publication feature about being a teenage mom. I’ll never forget the wave of messages I received from people who admired my honesty and vulnerability—people who told me that seeing where I came from, and all I had accomplished since, gave them hope to keep going. That moment taught me that sharing my story could be someone else’s lifeline. From then on, I stopped hiding my pain. I turned my scars into strategies, my heartbreak into hope, and my setbacks into stepping stones. Today, I lead with the lessons my journey has taught me, using that power to light the path for others finding their way through the dark
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people get it wrong by believing that intellect alone guarantees success or influence. We’ve created a culture that overvalues being the ‘smartest in the room’ and undervalues emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to connect. I’ve seen brilliant minds burn out or stall because they’re too focused on proving they’re right instead of making a real impact. The smartest thing you can do today isn’t to outthink everyone—it’s to outlisten, outlearn, and outserve. True leadership is measured not by how much you know, but by how many people are better because of your presence.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy will be assuming it’s built solely on my achievements—the titles, the awards, the leadership roles. Those are just the byproducts. My true legacy is in the lives I’ve touched, the voices I’ve amplified, and the people who now believe in themselves because of something I said, did, or created. It’s not about the spotlight—it’s about the ripple effect. Long after my name fades, the real impact will live on in the leaders I helped rise, the communities I helped strengthen, and the courage I helped ignite in others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dreamchasers.podia.com/
- Instagram: https://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/IAMJANICECLAIRE
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicedacosta
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamchasersncorg
