If you know anything about the Enneagram, you know that Type Eights—often called The Challenger—are a force to be reckoned with. They are bold, assertive, independent, and deeply protective of themselves and those they love. They are natural leaders, unapologetically strong, and unwilling to be controlled.  

I am an Enneagram Type Eight, and understanding this part of my personality has helped me navigate my healing journey, break cycles, and step into the life I was meant to create.  

What It Means to Be an Enneagram Type Eight  

At their core, Eights are driven by a need for control, autonomy, and strength. They fear being vulnerable, manipulated, or at the mercy of others. Because of this, they often present a tough, fearless exterior, even when they’re feeling deeply emotional inside.  

Eights are often misunderstood as being too intense, too blunt, or too aggressive—but in reality, they are simply unwilling to tolerate dishonesty, weakness, or passivity. They are deeply passionate, loyal, and protective, making them both fierce warriors and compassionate defenders.  

The Strengths of Type Eight  

Being an Eight comes with incredible strengths:  

– Fearless and Independent: We don’t wait for permission to do what we know needs to be done.  

– Decisive and Action-Oriented: We trust our instincts and make bold moves.  

– Protective and Loyal: When we love, we love fiercely. We are willing to fight for the people and causes we care about.  

– Straightforward and Honest: We don’t sugarcoat things. We tell it like it is, and we expect the same in return.

– Resilient and Unbreakable: Life knocks us down, but we always get back up—stronger, wiser, and even more determined.  

The Challenges of Type Eight  

Of course, being an Eight isn’t always easy. Our greatest strengths can also be our biggest struggles:  

– Fear of Vulnerability: We hate feeling weak, which sometimes makes it hard to open up emotionally.  

– Control Issues: We struggle to let go and trust others fully.  

– Intensity in Relationships: Our passion and bluntness can overwhelm people who aren’t used to directness.  

– Struggles with Authority: We don’t like being told what to do, which can create conflict in structured environments.  

How Being a Type Eight Has Shaped My Journey  

Looking back, I can see how my Type Eight nature has influenced my path:  

– My Divorce & Healing Process: Instead of staying in a broken cycle, I chose to take action and reclaim my life. I refused to stay in a situation that didn’t serve me.  

– Moving to Latin America: While many people stay in their comfort zones, I chose to step into the unknown. I trust myself enough to know I’ll make it work.  

– Breaking the Relationship Cycle: I saw the pattern I was in—choosing emotionally unavailable men—and I made the hard choice to walk away and build something new.  

– Creating *Uncharted Horizons: Instead of waiting for someone else to give me the life I wanted, I built it myself. My blog, my travels, and my storytelling are all about stepping into my own power.  

Embracing My Enneagram Type Eight Nature

I used to see my intensity as a flaw. I used to wonder if I was too much—too strong, too outspoken, too independent. But now I realize:  

– My strength is my superpower.  

– My independence is my freedom.  

– My boldness is what will carry me forward.  

I am an Enneagram Type Eight, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Because when I look back on my life, every time I followed my own instincts, took control of my own story, and refused to settle, I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.  

And that’s the beauty of being an Eight—we don’t just accept life as it comes. We shape it, we fight for it, and we create it on our own terms.