The Power of Returning to Your True Self

There comes a moment in many women’s lives when the path they’re on no longer feels quite right. It may not look dramatic from the outside. In fact, it often starts quietly. A whisper. A sense of longing. A subtle but persistent tug toward something more true.

Jennifer McInnis, Founding Member of the WPC, chose to listen.

Not long ago, she was working in a completely different career. One that appeared successful and secure by all the usual measures. But deep down, she could feel it: something important was missing. The work no longer lit her up. The disconnect between who she was and what she was doing was becoming harder to ignore.

Rather than push that feeling aside, Jennifer did something many dream of but few allow themselves to do. She paused. She asked hard questions. She got honest about what mattered most. And then, with courage and clarity, she began the slow and soulful work of choosing differently.

Her pivot wasn’t just professional. It was deeply personal.

She returned to what had always been within her: a love of storytelling, a passion for lifting up voices in her community, and a gift for connecting people through meaningful narratives. It wasn’t just about finding a new job. It was about coming home to herself.

Today, Jennifer is not only doing what she loves — she’s being recognized for it in a big way. The relaunch issue of San Antonio Magazine, which she led, was awarded First Place by the Society for Features Journalism in the Special Product, Digital or Print category. A major honor, made even more powerful by the personal journey that brought her to this moment.

“This one is special,” Jennifer shared. “It validates the personal journey I have taken to rediscover mySELF — my purpose, my love of people and telling their stories that reflect the richness and dynamic voices in San Antonio — is the path where I BELONG. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”               

There’s something universal in her story. That desire to live and work in alignment. To feel like your life reflects your values. To wake up excited about what you’re creating and who you’re becoming.

Jennifer’s journey is proof that it’s never too late to begin again. That letting go of something that no longer fits isn’t failure — it’s freedom. And that some of the most beautiful outcomes unfold when we give ourselves permission to follow what lights us up.

She didn’t just pivot into something new. She chose to honor her creative voice. She trusted the quiet pull toward something more authentic. And in doing so, she reminds all of us that real success isn’t just about recognition. It’s about resonance. Feeling rooted in who you are and proud of how you show up.

Jennifer, we at WPC celebrate your vision, your bravery, and the way you continue to lead with heart. Your story is a beacon for so many women who are navigating their own crossroads and wondering if it’s possible to choose differently — and feel more like themselves in the process.

It is. And you're proof.

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If you’re navigating a moment like this yourself, you’re not alone. Visit womenspurposecommunity.com to learn more about the kind of space where journeys like Jennifer’s are witnessed, supported, and celebrated.