My Story
“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.” – Gever Tulley
At 21, I was on a promising path in human services. With a B.S. in Psychology, I moved quickly from direct-care roles into management, progressing exactly as planned, or so it looked from the outside. Underneath, I was struggling. While pursuing my M.S. in Clinical Psychology, I dropped out as my addiction took hold. Substance use disorder, alongside chronic depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, pulled me into a life of blackouts, regret, and broken relationships with the people I loved.
Eventually, I hit rock bottom, and that became the turning point that changed my life. I didn't just survive it. I rebuilt, and then I thrived.
I share this because so many of the women I coach know that gap intimately: the distance between how capable they appear and how hard they're working to hold it together. I've lived that gap. It's why I coach the way I do, without judgment, and with real belief in what's possible on the other side of it.
My journey
The approaches I use in my coaching are the ones that carried me through my own obstacles. Some of what they've made possible:
More than 28 years of sobriety, and years spent working as a substance-abuse counselor
Getting treatment for chronic depression, anxiety, and panic attacks — and learning to manage them
Earning a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership
Rediscovering competitive tennis in my 40s
Coaching youth soccer and Cal Ripken baseball
Advocating for mental health by telling my story openly in professional settings
Becoming a certified coach so I can help others flourish and reach their full potential
These experiences shape how I coach, and they let me meet others in their own growth with both expertise and lived understanding.