Fabulous 40 Over 40!

Meet Kelly Ashling

Kelly and I met at a Rising Tide Society meeting back in 2018, which seems like forever ago now! She has an amazing and very passionate story, so please read here!!!

“Passionate. Unwavering. Genuine.

I feel as if these words have always defined me – they may have just been described differently depending on the environment. I’ve been told I am ‘too intense’ for some people; I’ve been described as being ‘stubborn;’ and I have given up opportunities based on the fact I was unwilling to compromise my morals and integrity. I find all of these compliments, regardless of what others might say. I was the girl on the playground who pushed back when the boys pushed me; I was the girl who played on the all-boys baseball team and the all-boys hockey team; I was usually the lonely female on a team, cohort, or department and the first in line to change policies, rules, and standards.  It is these skills that empowered me to challenge the status quo and redefine the stereotypes I faced so that, perhaps, others after me would not have to. I did not always succeed and was sometimes even met with unfair retaliation, but I regret nothing.”

What advice would you give to your eighteen-year-old self?

“I would tell my 18-year-old self: ‘There is no ‘right time’ for anything. The best time for anything you truly want is now. Don’t wait for anyone and don’t be scared of what others might think.  Sometimes the best plans you have are the ones you never made – so grab a hold of what makes you happy and don’t let go. Do not be distracted by that which may seem better. The grass is not greener on the other side – it grows only where you water it.’ ”

Who are the most influential and meaningful people in your life, and why?

“My family are the most meaningful people in my life.  Without them, I would have never accomplished all that I have, grown into the person I am, and had the courage to give all that I can to others. My mom continues to show me what it means to be independent, strong, and successful in my endeavors.  My sister has taught me what sacrifice means, having had to give up so much when we were young to protect me from those who would hurt me. My son is also someone I give credit to influencing my life greatly. Having only been on this earth for 5 years and facing so much adversity, he continuously teaches me every single day. His strength and perseverance humble me and remind me of the perspective I need to have, even when it starts to slip from my day-to-day view. Despite his struggles, and even without a single word, he does not let the world define him. His courage helps ME remember to question all that we think we know, and look at things from a different angle; because we might just see things we never knew were there.”

What is your profession and your achievements that you would like to share?

“I am currently a Network Engineer at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Despite starting my educational path in the arts as a musician, I shifted focus with my first graduate degree and took a hobby of fixing computers and developed it into a career as an IT professional – elevating what was once a personal interest into a thriving career in data and communications technology that would span across both public and private sectors and over two decades.  I have also held adjunct positions in higher education and have a passion for teaching others and sharing my experiences. My greatest achievements have come from supporting my organizations during crises and serving the community with my work in Information Technology. However, I also take great pride in my tenure as an instructor and it brings me great joy to hear from my students that I have made a positive impact in their lives and inspired them to pursue their goals feeling prepared and confident. All of these, however, are dwarfed in comparison to my greatest achievement ever – becoming a mother. It was a path undefined and continues to be increasingly challenging in so many ways.  The journey is truly proving to be more unpredictable than I could have ever imagined, but my miniature self-tour guide is my favorite part of it all.”

What are your hobbies and passions?

“My hobbies include sports such as softball, mountain biking, and swimming. I love feeling the sun on my face and being in the water whenever possible. Being a diver, I feel more at home under the surface than I do with two feet on the ground.  I also enjoy crafts using tools in the garage as well as machines inside the home with fabrics and vinyl. My passion for music brings me to the recording studio to sing, play the piano or the guitar, and renews my soul with every note. You might find me jotting down song lyrics on scrap pieces of paper at all hours of the night, as I can never predict when inspiration will strike! Teaching also provides me so much joy and fulfillment and I hope to have many more years of sharing that with others. Having taught at the college level in the classroom and privately, I feel that my greatest  gift is being able to impart knowledge to others – thereby enhancing their lives through constant learning and adaptation to information as it grows and changes.”

What message would you send to other women going through a major life change?

“The best message I think I could give another woman is that you are NOT alone – ever. The greatest things in life lie on the other side of fear. So reach out to your community, your friends, your family – whoever you need to support you through this change – and they will help you find the strength you need to find that other side.”