Today we’d like to introduce you to Caterina Clayton
Hi Caterina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am the daughter of a creative, spirited woman with a background in journalism and a man with a strong commitment to his country, who served in the Navy before becoming an Air Marshal. I was born on a military base in Italy, spent a brief period in Nebraska, and eventually found my childhood and adolescent home in Florida. As a child, I enjoyed theater, choir, and kickboxing. I was in the gifted program and was often isolated from my peers, but I did relatively well in school. After my freshman year of college, I dropped out and married my husband to accompany him on his journey in the Air Force. Now, I reside in Missouri and work as a software engineer. Life seems so simple and straightforward when we strip the richness out of it and describe it so plainly.
Each point I described above spans years—each filled with a multitude of smaller journeys and experiences. Traumas, triumphs, hard lessons, and cherished memories are nestled in each of those milestones. I saw firsthand what happens to kind individuals who don’t make space to heal their wounds and how those wounds bleed into the world around them. I experienced how the seemingly recreational escapism of romance held a mirror to the wounds I had collected and magnified them until I no longer had the energy to hold them shut. I learned that I can be as introspective and therapy-bound as I like and still find a stranger in myself every few years. I was made into a woman and then invited to visit my child self to properly appreciate her. All in all, I learned how to learn on the chaos-ridden stage we call life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t believe many of us are given a completely smooth road. This is, in truth, part of the beauty of being human. Out of respect for brevity and not branding people by the unhealed versions of them I’ve encountered, I don’t wish to delve into the details of the hardships I’ve faced. I can say that I have survived multiple abusive situations and assaults, along with the resulting psychological scars. I have also faced the painful reality of becoming someone I never thought I would be, shaped by those experiences, and learned how to take radical accountability for her and grow beyond her.
I’ve also learned the power of speaking up, especially when it felt most intimidating. Those moments taught me that it’s crucial to share my thoughts when it counts, as silence is often imposed when something is amiss. I’ve learned to trust my intuition, understanding that some struggles are not worth enduring and can lead me to places that don’t serve me. Meanwhile, other challenges that seemed like dead ends have turned out to be the most confidence-building experiences I’ve ever had.
What I will share is that, through it all, I’ve maintained a steadfast desire to craft a tomorrow I can be proud of, and I hold a deep belief in my ability to do so. I am also grateful to share that my beloved husband has accepted me in a way few have had the privilege to experience. He has invited—never demanded—me to become a wiser, more patient, more educated, and successful woman. I attribute much of my current success to his steadying influence and know intimately the power of having loving, supportive people by my side.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Over the years, I’ve woven my path through a variety of roles, each rich with its own set of challenges and rewards. As a model and actress, I’ve learned the art of embodying different personas, each role offering a glimpse into a life that isn’t mine but becomes mine for a moment. In the world of software engineering, I found a different kind of creativity, where logic and innovation intertwine, and I’m proud to specialize in crafting solutions that others might overlook. Improv performance taught me to embrace the unexpected, to thrive in the moment without a script, much like life itself. Hosting and writing for a local film award show allowed me to celebrate the craft of storytelling while adding my own voice to the narrative. As a promotional model, I learned the subtle power of presence and persuasion. Venturing into real estate investment is my latest journey. I’m still a novice yet I am eagerly exploring a new terrain with curiosity and determination.
What sets me apart is the blend of these experiences, each feeding into the other, creating a mosaic of skills and perspectives. I am most proud of my ability to adapt, to shift between these diverse worlds while staying true to myself. This adaptability, coupled with a deep love for learning, is what makes my journey uniquely mine.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success can be seen in various forms—through the recognition we receive from others, the goals we achieve, or the positive impact we make on the world. However, I prefer to define success by my own mentality toward life.
Relying on others’ opinions can be unpredictable and may lead me into a life that doesn’t truly resonate with who I am, so I tend not to measure success by the acclaim I receive from others. Similarly, setting goals and standards, while important, can be like chasing moving targets, constantly shifting and leading us down unexpected paths. Therefore, I don’t base my definition of success solely on achieving these milestones.
Bringing a tangible net benefit to the world is undeniably a significant accomplishment. Yet, with so many people striving to contribute, individual efforts can sometimes feel like mere drops in a vast ocean. So, I find that this alone isn’t the most fulfilling measure of success.
For me, the best way to define success is through my mentality. It requires daily fine-tuning and is not without its flaws, but it allows me to craft my own unique blend of the above measures, creating a balanced framework of success in my mind’s eye. I can adjust it as needed to stay motivated and to align with real-world expectations. My mindset is the driving force behind my creativity, and my ability to shape it directly impacts my real-world achievements. While the idea of a helpful mentality might seem vague and unsatisfying to some, it’s the most honest and effective definition of success I have at this moment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcaterinaclayton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamthecaterinaclayton
Image Credits
Keith Brake
Kevin Edwards
Bridgette Kelly Photography
Mike McGuire
