Written by Latoya Gabbidon – a Passage Community and LEA Member, advocate in the homelessness sector, and TEDx speaker.
“I want to encourage you all to be the greatest leader you can be . Be kind to yourself first, be courageous in yourself first, develop resilience in yourself; then those virtues will transcend and transpire to others. And after you’ve done all that work on yourself, it is important that we ask ourselves the right questions… The question is – who are you willing to give a second chance to?”
“I had to lose, in order to win”
I had to hit rock bottom – not only to find my true self, but to discover my true purpose. Building from my inner traits became my only lifeline. It was fight or flight, and I chose to fight for my life.
The intrinsic values I held onto saved me: resilience, tenacity, courage, and my faith in God. They kept me sane during the darkest moments.
Despite my personal struggles, I knew there was potential buried deep inside me. But as a leader in my own right, I also knew I needed the right people around me to help draw that potential out.
After the trauma, setbacks, and loss I endured, encouragement and positive reinforcement were essential. I needed people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself.
Failure, resilience and the making of a leader
True leaders are revealed by their ability to bounce back.
Bouncing back from failure strengthens the fabric of who we are – strength that later becomes a badge of honour at the next level. Failure is not the enemy; it is a necessary by-product on the road to success. Failure does not define us. Failure is an event – not who we are.
Trying again and again is a mark of true strength. Without the missteps, the setbacks, and the moments where things fall apart, there would be no story to tell. Yet so often, when we fail, we condemn ourselves. We look down on ourselves instead of recognising that our failures add depth and richness to our stories.
Authentic people inspire because they tell the raw truth.
When we share our lived experience honestly, our stories can transform lives. Others see themselves reflected in our journey. Someone who is on the brink of giving up might find hope simply because they see someone else keep going.
Shared stories of resilience, courage, and survival can change the trajectory of another person’s life.
The power of self-belief and kindness
We must learn to be kinder to ourselves.
Speaking positively to ourselves has the power to produce results that not only surprise us, but also impact those around us. Changing our perception – of failure, of struggle, of ourselves – changes our outcomes.
Every journey of self-discovery comes with ups and downs. Mine led me to homelessness. But that experience, painful as it was, became the path that revealed who I am truly called to be.
From fashion to humanitarianism
I once defined myself through fashion. I loved it, and I created a business rooted in that passion.
However, after experiencing homelessness, my priorities shifted. Fashion is no longer my focus – humanitarianism is.
My desire now is to use my time, energy, and resources to support people experiencing homelessness. The Passage gave me a second chance when I needed it most, and now I want to help give someone else a second chance too.
I once asked a member of staff at The Passage whether they were trained to be so compassionate and kind. They replied: “Anyone who has chosen to do this kind of job should already have a heart of servitude within them.”
That moment stayed with me. You cannot teach compassion – it must come from within.
People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
Building from inner traits
Being surrounded by positive interactions and reinforcement is especially powerful during difficult times. The right environment brings out the best in us.
Leadership – especially leadership from the top down – should embody values that encourage growth, dignity, and stability.
Building from inner traits describes the journey of cultivating qualities within us long before they appear outwardly. These traits are formed first in the heart and mind before they manifest in our actions.
The mind is a powerful tool. If used correctly, it can produce extraordinary results.
Negative thoughts in lead to negative outcomes. Positive thoughts in lead to meaningful, impactful communication.
I learned to train my mind by shutting down negative thinking.
Purpose, leadership, and a new future
How we see ourselves speaks volumes.
- Do you see yourself thriving?
- Do you see yourself overcoming?
- Can you envision your success?
Even in the darkest moments of my journey, I held onto hope – believing that things would one day get better, even when I couldn’t yet see the light.
Leadership does not require perfection. We may not feel like champions every day, but choosing to remain present, intentional, and engaged still matters.
Fulfilling our purpose requires full participation – mentally, emotionally, and physically. True performance begins in the mind.
Rebuilding and starting over is never easy. But our inner strength and resilience can become stepping stones to something greater. Leadership from within makes it possible.
Today, I am seeing those positive results manifest in my own life. I recovered from homelessness stronger, more grounded, and living a meaningful life.
I am now an advocate and advisor for people with multiple disadvantages within the homelessness sector. And I am proud to say that I am now officially a TEDx Speaker, using my lived experience and new-found purpose as a motivational speaker – inspiring others to become the best versions of themselves.
Read my full story
This blog shares my reflections and purpose – but my full journey out of homelessness began with The Passage.
In my client story, I share in more detail how I experienced homelessness, the support I received at The Passage Resource Centre, and how that support helped me rebuild my life.