Happy, Free, and Paid, founded by Dr. Marvette Lacy
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Office Hours with Dr. Lacy

"I'm Investing in My Future" with Ashley Thomas

Dissertation

Ashley Thomas didn't wait for permission to take her next step—she made the decision to invest in herself. In this episode, she shares how she went from high school chemistry teacher to doctoral candidate, all while balancing work, life, and the emotional weight of the dissertation process. We talk about what it really means to bet on your future, why group coaching changed everything, and how she learned to ask for help without shame. If you've ever wondered whether it's worth it to invest in support—Ashley's story will show you what's possible when you do.