Real Charlotte: Locals talk soft spots, knowing yourself and admiration

Real Charlotte is a monthly series highlighting everyday humans that live in Charlotte. The people are what make this place special. Through this series, we hope to show you the successes, struggles, goals and dreams of Charlotteans. Follow along as we meet them on Instagram.

“Alright my first experience with snow is actually the main reason I got into weather. When I was 6 years old, growing up in northeast Ohio, we had this massive blizzard and it snowed in our front door. My dad literally could not open the front door. He had to climb out the first story window and dig out our door. So like every good Ohio kid, I had one of those suits, those snow mobile suits, like you saw in a Christmas story. I put it on, went outside and saw snow drifts that were about 5-6 ft high. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a meteorologist. I wanted to know how, what and why. I still to this day have a soft spot in my heart for snowfall.”

– Brad Panovich. Chief Meteorologist at NBC Charlotte.

“We often talk about how we know who we are and how we love ourselves. And when we dig deeper sometimes we realize that we don’t. And that often filters in our relationships that we have with people personally and professionally. As I got to know myself and I learned my strengths and my value as a woman, and as a human being, it became very evident to me – especially through work and having a public platform to work from, that when people look at you, what message do you want to embark?”

– Lashawnda Becoats. 45. Editor of Pride Magazine. Fun. Adventurous. Traveler. A taste-maker. A motivator.

“My dad is someone I look up to. He’s a colonel in the military. Works in D.C. He knows how to get things done. He knows how to coach people. He knows how to lead people. But he is the most compassionate man that I’ve ever met. I mean he listens to me when I break down. He cares for me when I need it. He cares for my mom. He cares for my family. He has provided above and beyond with anything I have ever needed. So yea, my dad is definitely the person I admire most. My grandpa is a close second.”

– Seth Kingdon. 24. Account Coordinator at Chernoff Newman. 2017 Director At-Large at PRSA. Ambitious. Focused. Yogi.

This story was originally published January 25, 2017 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Real Charlotte: Locals talk soft spots, knowing yourself and admiration."