My Background
I live in Huntington NY with my husband and two young daughters. I know first hand the struggles of trying to make a living while also trying to create a life full of meaning, purpose and joy. You don’t have to be a parent to relate. It can be so hard. I have learned to let go of what others think my life should look like (also not easy!) and have found a profound sense of freedom and integrity in doing so. Helping my clients find that freedom is one of the things I love most about being a coach.
I was a teacher for many years with a Masters degree in education and a background in psychology and history. I am a Martha Beck Wayfinder trained life coach. I embrace both eastern and western influences in my approach to coaching; always with the emphasis on living a life that honors one’s true self.
A little about my journey
Stuck? I’ve been there. It’s probably an understatement.
As a little girl, I remember lying in the grass and looking up at the clouds for what seemed like hours, just marveling at the wonder and beauty all around me. The world felt magical and I felt so much a part of it.
Somewhere along the way, life got hard, really hard. I became disconnected from the wonder and the beauty. The magic was gone. I lost my dad. I lost a best friend. Then another dear friend. Then one more. I did not take care of my grief very well. I chose relationships and jobs that numbed the pain and did not honor my true self. I was living someone else’s life. I found glimmers of myself at times. A safari in Africa, trekking in Nepal, learning to surf. Reminders that I was indeed still alive. But in my personal life I was living in a cage. I did not have the energy or the self love to get myself out. Until I did.
I began to take care of my grief. I ended a long and painful relationship. I felt shattered and alone but I was free. It was just the beginning. I surrounded myself with love. I asked for help. I made a promise that I would never again trade my peace and freedom for anything. In trying to avoid more suffering, I learned a powerful lesson: There is nothing more painful than living a life that is not truly your own. I made a decision that for however many days I had left on this planet, my life would be mine. It would be big and messy. It would be full of heart and adventure. There would be incredible joy and heartache. And I would own it all.
I started to see the beauty again; in life and in myself.
Sometime later, on a solo trip to Costa Rica to surf and take Spanish classes, I met my future husband on the beach. His eyes sparkled and he looked at the ocean with wonder. He knew the magical kingdom. A whole new adventure began; an adventure that honored my essential self. Today we have two little girls whose courage and heart amaze and inspire me every day. They are my greatest teachers. Sometimes we look up at the sky together and marvel at the clouds swirling in the wind. In these moments I remember myself as a little girl and I’m so grateful that I found her.
Me, circa 2015
I believe deeply in every individual’s ability to recognize their true path in life. But sometimes the path becomes muddied and we get stuck. Sometimes the path is unclear and we’re unsure of the way. And sometimes we’re just so tired that we lose faith in our own ability to get there. That’s where I come in. I can help you find what has been holding you back from living your best life. Together we can work to get you in touch with your true self and discover what it is that will bring you more joy. Once we’ve identified and worked through factors that are getting in the way, we will come up with an action plan to help you get closer to your dreams. Maybe you’re looking for more adventure and excitement. Maybe you want more quality time with your family. Maybe you’re stuck in a job or a relationship that is chipping away at your soul. And maybe you don’t even know what you want but you know you no longer want to live your current life going through the motions. No matter what you bring to the table, I will be there to listen deeply, without judgment and with the intention to help you live your best life. Let’s do this!
