Still Becoming: What ATD26 Conference Reminded Me About Growth, Transition, and Identity

There was something about sitting quietly on the plane after a conference that forced me to do some heavy reflection. No sessions, no networking, no movement … just silence and my thoughts finally catching up with me. As I sat there reflecting on my experience at the ATD26 Conference, I realized it had impacted me differently than any other conference I had attended.

Yep, I attained my CPTD and got pinned. How exciting, a goal I had placed on my vision board. That moment meant more to me than I can fully explain. After decades in learning and development, leadership development, coaching, facilitation, and service, receiving that pin felt like more than a professional milestone. It felt personal. It represented years of growth, sacrifice, resilience, reinvention, and quiet perseverance. It made me think about the younger version of myself. The Marine trying to prove she belonged, the leader developing others while still figuring herself out, and the woman who spent years pouring into others while rarely stopping long enough to acknowledge her own growth.

As I reflected, a question surfaced that stayed with me longer than I expected: “Where do I fit now?”

Not because I doubt my experience or capabilities, and not because I do not know my value. Instead, I think transition reshapes how we see ourselves. When you move through different seasons of life and identity, there can be moments where you feel caught between versions of yourself. The old role no longer fully defines you, but the next version of yourself is still unfolding. At first, I had to question whether what I was feeling was imposter syndrome. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized it may not be imposter syndrome at all. Maybe it is simply the natural discomfort that comes with growth and transition. Maybe transformation creates tension because we are learning how to integrate who we have been with whom we are becoming.

That realization was powerful for me!!!!!!

This conference reminded me that I am not starting over … I am integrating! The Marine, the learning professional, the coach, the mentor, the educator, the business owner, and the woman behind MVS Solutions LLC all still exist within me. What is changing is that I no longer feel the need to separate those identities depending on the room I walk into. INTEGRATION ... that’s what it is!!!

Throughout the conference, I reconnected with incredible people, had meaningful conversations, laughed deeply, learned constantly, and found myself energized by the possibilities ahead. I saw new ways to integrate learning and development into coaching, organizational culture, facilitation, business strategy, and transformation work. It reminded me that learning and development is never just about training. At its core, it is about people, connection, growth, influence, and helping others navigate change with greater clarity and confidence.

And honestly, I needed that reminder more than I realized. Sometimes we become so focused on producing, building, leading, and helping others grow that we forget we are still evolving. This conference reminded me that there is still room for me to grow, stretch, create, and continue becoming more aligned with who I truly am.

That realization is soooooo freeing!!!

For anyone navigating transition right now … professionally, personally, or internally … I want you to know that uncertainty does not mean you are failing. Questioning where you fit does not erase your value. Growth does not always feel confident while it is happening. Sometimes growth feels vulnerable. Sometimes it feels messy. And sometimes it feels like standing between identities, trying to understand how all the pieces of your life connect together.

I believe that is part of becoming whole.

As I continue building MVS Solutions LLC, I realize more than ever that this work is not simply about leadership development or coaching. It is about helping people reconnect with themselves. It is about helping them understand their value beyond titles, roles, transitions, or expectations. It is about helping people integrate who they are, rather than feeling like they have to fragment themselves to fit into different spaces.

This conference did more than inspire me professionally. It reminded me that I am still growing, still learning, and still becoming. And honestly, I think that is a beautiful place for me to be in!

Coach Ronnie