”I'm finally getting back to the woman I was born to be.” Diana Patton is a former civil-rights attorney turned coach, advocate, and founder of Rise Advocates Academy — and one of the most magnetic people in T-Town. In this episode, Michael opens with a question he's never asked anyone: ”Why are you you?” What follows is an honest, funny, wide-open conversation about identity, healing, and showing up as your real self.

Diana shares growing up mixed-race and homeless in Fostoria, the trauma that shaped her into a ”stereotypically angry Black woman,” and the moments that cracked everything open — her brother's actions, law school, motherhood, and a United Way speech where she told her story in public for the first time. She talks about trading revenge for real justice, building a daily practice of meditation and gratitude, mentoring University of Toledo athletes, and her 12-week Academy for executive women built around mindset, calling, and service.

Plus a candid, myth-busting deep dive into perimenopause and menopause — why the research was never done, the tools that actually help, and why this can be the best chapter of a woman's life instead of the hardest. Learn more or apply at riseadvocatesacademy.com.

The Make It Happen Podcast — cool people doing cool things in Northwest Ohio and beyond, hosted by Michael Vanderpool. As always — make it happen.