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I Went Through It Alone So Others Don’t Have To

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:29:36 GMT

Turning past pain into purpose and helping others find the support I never had.

Over the weekend, I had a conversation that reminded me exactly why I went through what I did.

A mom reached out for help because her daughter, who is still in middle school, is battling an eating disorder.

This poor little girl is about the same age as my niece and that realization hit me hard.

It breaks my heart to imagine anyone that young facing the same struggles I did!

As the mom described her daughter's habits, words, and struggles, I realized I had done the EXACT same things. It hurt to hear, but also filled me with such a deep sense of purpose.

I know that pain because I lived it.
I healed on my own, with no support. 

Now I can help others find their way through with the support I never had.

One of the reminders I hold onto every day is that, "Things happen for us, not to us."

This conversation brought that truth full circle because now I can be the person I once needed for someone else.

If you or someone you love is struggling or you just want to better understand what they might be facing behind closed doors, please know my inbox is always open.

You are never alone❤️

Gratitude Isn’t Fluff

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:21:16 GMT

The Real Impact of Looking for What’s Working in the Middle of What’s Hard

Every day may not be great, but there is goodness in every day.

A few years ago, during a particularly difficult season of life where everything felt heavy, and the wins were hard to see, I finally decided to try this "daily gratitude" thing I'd heard over and over again.

I'll be honest, I'd avoided it for quite a while because I didn't think I had time for it and wasn't sure how much of a difference it would actually make. I figured at this point I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, so why not.

Three things a day is what I focused on to start. Sometimes they were obvious like progress on a project, a great conversation with a colleague or the excitement of my babies when I got home. Other days they were harder to find, but I still found something small like a brain break outside between meetings.

It definitely did not change my circumstances overnight, but it did shift how I moved through them.

Choosing to look for the good helped me lead better, stay grounded, and show up more fully for myself and for the people around me. Gratitude became a mindset that built resilience, and created space for reflection, perspective, and growth.

In the workplace, we’re trained to constantly focus on what’s next like deadlines, metrics, and goals, which is important, but so is pausing to recognize what’s working, who is showing up, and where progress is being made. This allows us to shift our energy and sharpen our focus.

Gratitude isn't fluffy. It's a mindset that fuels growth, improves collaboration, and helps us lead with intention.

So here is a small challenge… at the end of your day today, write down three things that went right or made you happy (they can be big or small, doesn't matter!) and let them be your foundation as you head into tomorrow.

The Strength in Slowing Down

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Why pressing pause isn’t weakness, it’s where resilience begins

I used to think if I slowed down, then everything I was running from would catch up with me and take over, so I stayed busy.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that slowing down wouldn’t break me.
It would save me.

Giving myself space to breathe, feel and stop carrying everything at once is what helped me move through the hard things life threw at me.
It didn’t make the challenges disappear, but it did give me the clarity and strength to face them differently.

In a world that tells us to hustle harder, slowing down can feel like failure, but for me, it’s become a form of resilience.

When we take a moment to pause, we gain clarity and insight.
Instead of rushing to the finish line, we create space for growth, healing, and self-awareness.

Now I protect the quiet parts of my day like quiet mornings outside with my babies, sticking to routines that ground me, and making space to breathe because those moments help me handle what matters most.

So here’s the truth I want to share…

Slowing down doesn't make you weak, it makes you wise.
It allows you to harness your true power and face challenges with a renewed mindset.

If you’re in a season that feels heavy… I see you and want to remind you that you don’t have to hustle your way through it.

Instead I encourage you to give yourself grace, take it one step at a time and before you know it, you’ll be to the other side and stronger than before❤️

When She Read My Eyes, Everything Changed

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:09:55 GMT

The Unexpected Moment That Captured My Journey from Darkness to Joy

Last week, while delivering a keynote for the women of WorthIt, something unexpected and pretty amazing happened.

We were in the “introduce yourself” part when one woman shared that she’s really good at reading people’s eyes.

I couldn’t believe how perfectly this tied into my next slide, which had a huge focus on my eyes!

I love using photos to tell stories and had picked ones to take the group through my personal and professional journey. The first image was from a time when I was deep in an abusive relationship. I intentionally chose this one because of my eyes and how the light is completely gone from them.

I invited the woman to come up and share what she saw.

She looked at the picture and said, “You look like you’re just there… like there’s nothing really behind your eyes.”

Then she looked at me and said, “But today, you’re full of joy. You’re alive.”

She captured it perfectly! The whole reason I chose that photo was to illustrate just how much has changed. Not just in my circumstances, but in me.

You can’t fake the light in your eyes. It tells your story without saying a word.

Why am I sharing this here? Because transformation isn’t just about career growth or hitting milestones.

Sometimes it’s about reclaiming yourself, your confidence, your voice, your sense of purpose and letting that shine through in everything you do.

If you’ve ever looked at a photo and thought, “I don’t even recognize myself,” I get it because I’ve been there.

I want you to know though, that the light can come back and you can shine brighter than ever. It starts with one step forward no matter how small.

Redefining Failure: Taking Back My Power

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:12:35 GMT

Start with what you know, trust yourself, and build from there.

I got a question while speaking at last week that has really stuck with me:

"How do you deal with failure?"

I loved that question—because for years, I felt like a failure, even when others didn’t see me that way.

On paper, I had a degree.
I had built a career helping people, teams, and organizations grow.
I was married, owned a home, had two amazing dogs.

By all accounts, I was doing well. But inside, it didn’t feel like enough.

I had to take a hard look at why I felt that way. The truth?
Through trauma and past experiences, I had been wired to believe I wasn’t good enough.

I had to take the power back.
I had to redefine what failure actually was—and what it wasn’t.

❌ Failure is NOT giving something everything I’ve got and it not working out for reasons outside of my control.

✅ Failure IS not doing what was in my control to succeed.

Then, I had to rebuild my definition of success—from the ground up.

I started with something I didn’t have to question.
Something I knew I was good at.
Something that made me feel grounded and present.

Being a dog mom.

From there, I kept building—piece by piece—shifting my focus from what I thought I lacked to what I knew I brought to the table.

So if you’re struggling with feeling like you’re enough , I encourage you to reflect:
�� Is it your voice in your head telling you that—or someone else’s?
�� What is your definition of success?
�� Are you controlling what you can and giving your best effort?

At the end of the day: Control the controllable—your thoughts, your actions. And if you’re feeling lost, start with what you know —and build from there.

The Power of Sharing Your Story

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:07:08 GMT

Empowering Others Through Storytelling and Meaningful Conversations

There are moments in life that remind you exactly why you do what you do.

This week, I had one of those moments at Hopeworks, an organization doing incredible work to empower young professionals through education, technology, and mentorship.

As I stood in front of the group, I could feel their energy—their eagerness to learn, to grow, to take in every bit of advice they could apply to their own journeys. But what stood out the most? The conversations that happened after the talk.

They came up to me with questions about my journey, about resilience, about pushing through challenges. They wanted to know how I navigated setbacks, how I built confidence, and how they could do the same. It was in those moments that I saw it—the spark of possibility, the realization that they could do big things, too.

These are the moments that fuel me.

Walking away from this experience, I felt more inspired than ever to keep sharing my story. To keep showing up for others. And to keep proving that no matter what challenges we face, we have the power to grow through what we go through.

The Ripple Effect of Courage

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 19:22:15 GMT

How Your Bold Moves Can Inspire Others to Take Their Own Leap

The other day, my sister said something that caught me off guard—but in the most beautiful way.

“I thought of you as I've been navigating these changes.”

She’s in the middle of a career transition, and as she moves through it day by day, she thinks about me. The way my career has evolved, shifted, and taken unexpected turns has helped her find the confidence to make a change of her own.

Hearing that meant the world to me. Not because I see myself as some kind of career expert, but because, like many of us, I’ve spent years navigating uncertainty, figuring things out as I go, and making choices that weren’t always easy.

The Myth of the Linear Career Path

If you had asked me years ago where I saw myself today, I probably would’ve given you a clear answer—but I guarantee it wouldn’t have described where I actually am.

I started my career in one direction, made pivots, took leaps of faith, and learned how to adapt along the way. Some transitions were planned; others were the result of opportunities I never saw coming.

For a long time, I thought success meant following a structured path, but life has a way of showing us that growth often happens in ways we never expected—or even thought possible. Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were absolutely not part of the original plan and yet, when we’re in the middle of a transition, it’s easy to feel alone in it. To wonder if we’re making the right choice. To fear stepping away from what’s comfortable.

That’s why my sister’s words hit me so hard.

The Quiet Impact of Our Journeys

We don’t always realize the impact we have on others. We go through our own experiences, making decisions based on what feels right for us—without realizing that someone else might be watching. Taking mental notes. Gathering courage from our steps forward.

My sister never asked me how I made the tough choices. She simply saw me go through it, and that was enough to make her believe she could do it too.

It made me wonder:

How many people have inspired me without even knowing it?
How many times have I taken a leap because I saw someone else take one first?
How many times has someone’s story—whether a friend, a mentor, or even a stranger online—given me the nudge I needed to make a bold move?

Maybe most importantly:

Who might be looking at me right now, feeling encouraged to take their next step because I took mine?

Embracing Change With Confidence

If you’re in a season of transition—whether it’s a career shift, a new business venture, or even a personal reinvention—I want you to remember something:

Your journey is bigger than you.

Every time you take a step forward, you’re showing someone else that it’s possible. Every time you choose growth over fear, someone else sees that they can do the same.

So don’t let uncertainty stop you.

Don’t let doubt hold you back.

If there’s a change you’ve been thinking about, lean into it.

You never know who’s watching, being encouraged by your courage or gaining the confidence to take their own leap because they saw you take yours.

Then one day, when you least expect it, you just might hear someone say:

“I thought of you as I was making this decision.”

In that moment, you’ll realize that your journey was never just about you—it was about the ripple effect you created along the way.

Have you ever been inspired by someone’s career pivot? Or has someone told you that you inspired them? I’d love to hear your story!

The Power of Movement: Shifting from Punishment to Empowerment

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:40:43 GMT

Reframing Exercise as a Tool for Healing, Strength, and Self-Love

Oh gosh, these two keep me smiling! If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times (and I’ll probably say it a thousand more)—I am so thankful for them in my life. My dogs have played a massive role in my healing journey over the years and continue to be my sidekicks through all of life’s highs and lows.

Another thing that has been a huge help in navigating tough times is adjusting my morning movement to match what I need emotionally. There have been seasons when I’ve leaned into calming yoga or danced around my living room just to spark some joy. Today, I chose strength training to feel grounded and strong, followed by an MMA-style workout video—because let’s be honest, punching and kicking the air in my living room is a much healthier way to release frustration than other options!

For those of you who also incorporate movement into your day, have you ever thought about why you choose the workouts you do?

Is your choice coming from a place of fear or love?
Are you using movement to punish yourself or to empower yourself?

I ask because, for years, I lived in the fear and punishment category.

There were times when I used exercise as a way to “make up” for something I ate during my eating disorder years. Other times, I pushed myself too hard without rest because I was frustrated with life’s challenges. I told myself that working harder, running farther, or lifting heavier would make me feel better—but in reality, it only left me feeling worse.

It took years of slowing down, processing emotions in a healthier way, breaking old habits, and forming better ones to get to where I am today. Now, the way I move my body actually helps me—not just physically, but mentally. It gets my head on straight for the day and makes me feel strong, capable, and grounded.

I share this not to say, “Oh hey, look at me and what I can do!” but to encourage you to take a step back and reflect.

Are you moving your body as a form of self-care or self-punishment?
Is your workout serving you mentally and emotionally, or draining you?

Movement should be a tool to empower you, not a way to punish yourself. So today, I encourage you to choose movement from a place of love. One day at a time, one choice at a time—you’ve got this. ❤️

How Will You Be Remembered?

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:40:42 GMT

Reflections on Building Bridges, Standing Tall, and Living True to Your Values

“Did you stand or did you fall?
Build a bridge or build a wall?
Hide your love or give it all?
What did you do?
What did you do?

Did you make 'em laugh or make 'em cry?
Did you quit or did you try?
Live your dreams or let 'em die?"

These lyrics from Rascal Flatts' "How They Remember You" struck a chord with me today. I’ve always been mindful about what I listen to, knowing how much our input influences our mindset and actions. My playlist may be small, but the messages I choose to hear are big.

These words resonate deeply with something I’m personally navigating right now, but they also ask a question we all face:

�� What kind of legacy am I building?

Walking this path isn’t easy—life rarely is. The storms we face can feel overwhelming, and the choices we make often define who we become.

As I reflect on these lyrics and this stormy trail, I’m reminded of a truth I hold close: I choose to stand tall, even when the sky feels heavy and the way forward is uncertain.

Whether you're in a leadership position, guiding a team, leading by example for those around you, or simply navigating your own personal journey, this choice matters.

Are you building bridges in your relationships, or are you letting walls take their place?

When life gets tough, do you stand tall, or do you fall?

Are you making choices to live your dreams, or are you letting them fade?

The truth is, the choices we make every day—not just the big, defining moments—shape how we’ll be remembered. So ask yourself:

✨ Are you choosing courage over comfort?

✨ Are you showing up as the leader, friend, or colleague you’d want to have?

✨ Are you living a life true to your values and dreams, or letting them slip away?

We all leave a legacy. The question isn’t “if”—it’s how.

So today, I want to encourage you to pause and reflect: What will people remember about you?

Not just at work, but in every part of your life because it’s the little moments, the small choices, and the way we show up daily that define us.

�� How will you be remembered?

Reflecting on a Year of Change

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:40:40 GMT

Lessons on Courage, Self-Belief, and Turning Dreams Into Reality

Last year at this time, I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and the path ahead felt uncertain. On New Year’s Day, I remember breaking down in tears—not because I was hopeful, but because I couldn’t believe I’d made it through 2023 alive. It had been such a brutal year that I thought it couldn’t possibly get worse.

Then came the first six months of 2024, and they threw me challenges I never expected—including tough health struggles that pushed me to my limits. There were moments I doubted myself, wondered if I could keep going, and struggled to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And yet, little by little, things started to turn around. Step by step, momentum built—and here I am, doing things that have been on my heart for a long time. I’ve built my own business, I’m writing a book, and I’m starting to book speaking engagements. Reflecting on this journey, I’m struck by how much can change in a year.

Today, I woke up feeling grounded, confident in the future, and so excited for this new year and new chapter. If you’re out there feeling stuck or unsure of what’s next, I want you to know that it can get better.

Here are a few things that helped me this year:

1️⃣ Lean into your passions. I’ve always wanted to share my experiences to help others—through writing and speaking—and now I’m doing both. At the same time, I took the leap to build my own business, turning years of dreams into reality. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

2️⃣ Believe in yourself, even when it feels impossible. Before anything can happen, you have to believe you’re capable of making it happen. That belief is what fuels the courage to take the first step—and every step after that.

3️⃣ Focus on small, consistent actions aligned with your goals. Progress happens when you’re intentional. Identify the direction you want to go, then take small, purposeful steps each day to move closer. Even small wins add up over time.

4️⃣ Ask for help. Your network is full of people who want to see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to reach out and let them know where you’re at and what you’re looking for.

5️⃣ Be kind to yourself. Change is hard, and growth is often uncomfortable. Celebrate your progress, even when it feels slow.

6️⃣ Trust the process. The hardest part is pushing through when it feels like nothing is happening. But I promise—things can and do turn around when you stay committed.

If you’re in a tough spot right now, I see you. I know how it feels and I want you to know that things can change in ways you might not even expect. Keep going—you’ve got this!

If you’re ready to take that next step, I’d love to connect, share ideas, or just be a sounding board. You’re not alone in this.

Here’s to making 2025 the year of possibility!