Raised as the oldest of four daughters and the first in my family to go to college, I struggled to find guidance for the right path to take.  Always an excellent student, but introverted and shy to an almost paralyzing degree, I pursued accounting because I believed (incorrectly) it would take more book smarts than interpersonal skills to be successful.  My 25+ year career as a CPA was me constantly stepping outside of my comfort zone to be seen and to succeed.  I felt stuck with no real options to change my situation.  My career would be described as successful by most people’s standards; however, I rarely felt fulfilled or happy.  I was constantly stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, isolated, and lonely from working so many hours and not having enough time to pursue relationships or see friends.

My dream was always to be a wife, a mom, and a “successful” and independent career woman.  My journey, however, would take me through many job changes, two failed marriages without children, and then finally conceiving a child in my mid-30s out of wedlock.  I was a single mom in the corporate world, trying to balance work and a personal life for over 8 years until I met the love of my life.  We are now happily married and raising our teenage son.  But life has many chapters, and within a few years, I will be an empty nester looking again at my life and my definition of fulfillment.

As the years have progressed, my path to mental wellness has consisted of setting challenging but achievable personal goals.  Focusing on the steps to achieve goals has helped me to build confidence, gain respect from others, and increase my overall level of health and physical fitness.  I am an endurance runner who has spent over 20 years running half marathons, full marathons, and two 100-mile ultra marathons in back-to-back years.  Even my fitness journey has taken many twists and turns, but I have learned so much about myself and the strength I have by never giving up on myself.

I know what it takes to be disciplined and focused on having a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life.  My passion now is to help others find the pieces of their own purposeful life.