Lacey Artemis grew up quiet, unsure, and often overlooked. For years, she struggled to find a place in the world—a space where being curious, creative, and deeply thoughtful wasn’t just accepted but celebrated. Today, she is the founder of Arty Mix Events, a speaker, podcast host, performer, and unapologetically multi-passionate creative who’s making that space for others.

Lacey’s journey is one of persistence and self-discovery, built through years of exploring different passions, overcoming self-doubt, and finally realizing that their strength was in being more than one thing. She now uses her voice and work to support other neurodivergent creatives and grownups who long to reconnect with their sense of play and purpose.

From Hobbyist to Creative Professional

Lacey’s creative streak started young, but when she studied design in college, the message from instructors was clear: this path won’t pay the bills. So, like many others, she chose a “safe” administrative route and kept their creativity alive as a side project.

“I lived a double life for 15 years,” she said. “I kept working to prove what I could do.”

What Lacey didn’t know then was that their passion wasn’t just a hobby—it was a clue. Over time, she combined skills in writing, performing, media, and design into something that not only worked but lit them up. Eventually, she founded Arty Mix Events, creating spaces for people to connect, play, and express themselves in ways that typical event spaces rarely allow.

Podcasting, Performing, and the Power of Conversation

In their late 20s, Lacey started a podcast to learn more about people’s careers. It was a quiet project that slowly revealed something powerful—she loved deep conversations. That podcast eventually evolved into a more expansive show, HAT COLLECTING, which allowed Lacey to blend many of their talents into one platform.

She also realized she had a gift for the stage. Performing became a way to reclaim the confidence their younger self lacked. “Every time I get on stage or have a microphone in my hand,” Lacey shares, “I get further redemption for a younger me who was always doubted or overlooked.”

Even after facing burnout and pauses along the way, Lacey always returns to the mic—and to the communities their work brings together.

No One Path, No One Box

Lacey’s biggest challenge wasn’t choosing between creative passions. It was the pressure to choose only one. Coaches and peers told them to focus. But that advice never worked. What Lacey needed was someone who understood what it means to be multi-passionate.

“I thrive when I can meld three or more interests together,” she explains. “Burnout didn’t come from doing too much—it came from doing it alone, without support.”

Late-diagnosed neurodivergence, gender transition in their 30s, and ongoing struggles with money and trauma only added to the uphill climb. But Lacey kept pushing forward. And eventually, she found the right community and the right people to help them grow.

Creating the Events She Longed For

After years of craving meaningful, inclusive, in-person events that weren’t centered around bars, clubs, or surface-level small talk, Lacey took matters into their own hands. She launched Arty Mix Events to offer something different—spaces that are creative, accessible, and built for genuine connection.

“The events I wanted didn’t exist. I finally decided to change that,” Lacey says.

As someone who knows the loneliness of being misunderstood or left out, Lacey builds with intention. Their events welcome people who are often excluded elsewhere—those with invisible disabilities, neurodivergent thinkers, and adults who miss the playful parts of themselves.

Built on Curiosity, Creativity, and Community

Lacey’s work is guided by three core values: curiosity, creativity, and community. A coach once told them to only say yes to opportunities that fit one of those pillars—and that advice changed everything.

Now, Lacey is seeking stages and spaces where she can share their story, connect with others who’ve felt invisible, and continue shining while encouraging others to do the same. “Some might say I’ve done almost all of this the hard way,” Lacey says, “but as a result, I can help others skip some of the circles I ran in for a decade.”

A Life That Finally Feels Like Theirs

For Lacey, success isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about building a life that feels right, one decision, one event, one brave moment at a time.

She has transformed years of feeling unseen into a mission that creates space for others to show up fully as themselves. Every time someone walks into an Arty Mix event or listens to a podcast episode and finally feels like they belong, Lacey knows she is doing exactly what she was meant to do.

“I spent a long time climbing hills alone,” she says. “Now, I want to make the path easier for the next person—and remind them they’re never as alone as they think.”

Lacey Artemis is no longer chasing a place in the world. She’s creating one—and making room for the rest of us to join in.

Connect with Lacey Artemis

• Website: www.artymixevents.com
• Email: lacey@laceyartemis.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/artymixevents

Sheldon Crocker knows what it means to fight through hardship—and win. As an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and resilience-building expert, he has turned his own story of struggle into a message of hope for people around the world. From childhood trauma and physical limitations to addiction and deep emotional pain, Sheldon has faced more than most. But he never let those challenges define him. Instead, he used them as stepping stones toward a life of purpose, strength, and service. Rising above adversity, his work today empowers others to do the same: to face adversity head-on and come out stronger.

A Voice Born from Experience

Sheldon’s mission began in silence. For years, he carried the weight of abuse and addiction alone, unsure if he had the right to dream of something more. But over time, he realized that his story could become a lifeline for others—if he had the courage to share it.

“I was inspired by my own battles,” Sheldon says. “People around me were suffering in silence, like I once did. I knew I had a voice to help them rise.”

From that realization came a commitment to speak, write, and teach in a way that is raw, honest, and deeply personal. His message is clear: your past doesn’t define you—your response does.

Keep on Walking

One of Sheldon’s most powerful principles is what he calls “KEEP on WALKING.” It’s not about giant leaps or instant fixes. It’s about small, steady steps—especially when the path feels impossible.

“I faced physical limitations and emotional scars that nearly broke me,” he shares. “But I kept walking. I surrounded myself with people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

That mindset became the core of his resilience work. Through talks, books, and his growing Empowerment Course, Sheldon helps others find their footing when life knocks them down.

Rising Above Adversity

Sheldon’s journey has shaped everything he teaches. He doesn’t lead from theory—he leads from lived experience. That’s what gives his work its impact.

“I bring practical tools and authentic storytelling to help people create real transformation,” he explains. “Adversity isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something powerful.”

His approach is grounded in integrity and purpose. He’s not interested in quick fixes or surface-level motivation. He wants people to dig deep, rise strong, and make lasting change.

Connecting Through Truth

At the heart of Sheldon’s work is connection. His audience includes anyone who has struggled—anyone who’s ever felt broken, stuck, or invisible. He reaches them by being real, by offering strategies they can actually use, and by showing up with his full self.

“Relatable stories and actionable steps are how I connect,” he says. “I’m not here to preach. I’m here to walk alongside people.”

That connection is what makes his message stick. People don’t just hear Sheldon—they feel understood by him.

Defining Success Through Impact

To Sheldon, success isn’t about awards or applause. It’s about the lives changed. The letters he gets. The people who tell him they kept walking because of his words.

“Success means living with purpose and staying true to my mission,” he says. “It’s about impact. It’s about creating hope where there was none.”

It’s also about staying grounded. For Sheldon, values like authenticity, compassion, and service are the compass points that guide every decision he makes.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, Sheldon is focused on expanding his reach. He’s booking more speaking engagements, growing his workshop offerings, and building partnerships that allow his message to spread farther and faster.

He’s also continuing to develop his Empowerment Course, Unleash Your Inner Strength: A 6-Week Journey to Emotional Empowerment and Personal Transformation, and plans to publish more books designed to guide readers through their own journeys of resilience. His free guide, Unlock Transformation: 7 Steps to Unleash Your Potential, is already helping people take the first steps.

But no matter how big his platform grows, his goal remains the same: to help people rise.

Connect with Sheldon Crocker

• Website: https://www.sheldonstransformativethinking.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheldon-r-s-crocker
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sheldon.R.S.Crocker.Speaker
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheldonscrockersTransformThink
• Email: sheldon@sheldonstransformativethinking.com

Timothy Mullin never set out to start his own business. But after decades of public service and leadership, he realized something was missing in the professional world—genuine, people-first leadership. So he decided to do something about it.

Timothy is the founder and CEO of Pathfinder Leadership Academy, a consulting firm offering leadership and development training for individuals and small groups. He brings more than 20 years of military service, a career in law enforcement, and a deep passion for mentoring into everything he teaches.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping others reach their goals,” Timothy says. “That’s what leadership is—empowering people to reach their fullest potential.”

From Service to Start-Up

After earning his Master’s in Public Administration in 2016 and retiring from law enforcement in 2021, Timothy could have easily taken a step back. Instead, he chose to lean into what had always brought him the most fulfillment: developing others.

For nearly a decade, he has facilitated leadership training in the Air Force Reserve. Now, he’s bringing that same level of structure, discipline, and heart to the civilian world through his own company.

Starting Pathfinder Leadership Academy wasn’t easy. Timothy had never launched a business before and had to learn everything from building a website to navigating state registration and outreach. But he kept going. “The fear of the unknown, the possibility of failure—it was all there,” he admits. “But so was the drive to make a difference.”

A Leadership Style Built on Experience

Timothy’s leadership style doesn’t fit in one box—and that’s the point. Over the years, he’s learned to adapt. Sometimes a team needs collaboration. Sometimes it needs direction. Other times, the best thing a leader can do is step back and let people figure things out on their own.

“I use different approaches depending on the situation,” he says. “Good leaders know when to switch gears.”

That flexibility was honed through years in unpredictable environments—from military deployments to overnight law enforcement shifts. It’s a skill that he now teaches others, emphasizing real-world thinking, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure.

“There is no rulebook in life,” he adds. “You make the best decision you can with the information you have—and sometimes it’s the wrong one. You’ve got to bounce back and keep going.”

People Over Profits

What makes Timothy’s work different is simple: he puts people first. He’s troubled by how many businesses train employees just enough to do the job—and nothing more. In his view, that approach breeds disengagement, poor customer service, and missed potential.

“There are so many companies that put profits over people,” he says. “But without the people, the profits wouldn’t be there.”

Through Pathfinder, he’s helping organizations shift that mindset—investing in their teams so that leadership becomes part of the culture, not just a title.

Teaching More Than Just Management

Timothy’s work isn’t just for executives. His target audience includes anyone who wants to become a better leader in work and in life. He believes that the lessons from leadership—self-awareness, communication, accountability—carry into every role, every industry, every family.

And while building a client base is a challenge, he’s committed to doing what it takes. “I’m networking, attending conferences, visiting businesses, asking for referrals—whatever it takes to connect with the people who need this.”

It’s not about mass marketing. It’s about real connection. And that’s exactly what his leadership model is built on.

Redefining Success

For Timothy, success isn’t flashy. It’s about purpose. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and helping others grow.

“Success is different for everyone,” he says. “We’ve got to stop comparing ourselves to others. The journey looks different for each of us.”

He speaks from experience. The road hasn’t always been smooth—between balancing military duties, family life, and now entrepreneurship, he’s had to navigate plenty of obstacles. But adversity, he says, is a gift. “It builds character. It gives you perspective. No matter how bad things seem, they can always be worse.”

A Legacy of Leadership

Looking ahead, Timothy isn’t just focused on growing his business—he’s focused on making an impact. He wants to leave behind more than a successful company. He wants to be remembered for how he made people feel, how he lifted others up, and how he helped build stronger communities one leader at a time.

“I’m a bit of a dreamer,” he says with a smile. “But if someone remembers me because I helped them become better, and they then help others in the same way—that’s the kind of legacy I want.”

Connect with Timothy Mullin
Website: https://www.pathfinderleadershipacademy.com
Email: TIMOTHY.MULLIN1127@gmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mullin-68ab2743