My Background
I got a strong start thanks to steady guidance early on. In school, I was often labeled "smart" and "artistic," but I knew my success and talent came largely from structure and consistency my parents and my larger community had given me growing up. After graduating as valedictorian, I kept relying on the habits I was taught to create routines and strategies that have supported me through adult life. This foundational sense of structure has helped me take some non-traditional paths that have been both meaningful and fulfilling.
Some Milestones That Matter to Me
- I've lived and worked in several foreign countries.
- I gained admission to a prestigious, private art school.
- I've created art that has resonated with people, selling in galleries and in self-curated shows.
- While working, I studied for an MA degree that has lead to fulfilling career as a college professor.
- I started my own coaching business.
Some Challenges I've Faced
- I’ve managed ten years of chronic pain after an injury that shifted the direction of my career more than once.
- As a military spouse, I’ve balanced multiple jobs, a household, and a long-distance marriage through unexpected deployments.
- I’ve changed careers while working and going to school, juggling personal, academic, and professional responsibilities.
What I've Learned
Through both challenges and accomplishments, I’ve come to see that many people weren’t taught some of the disciplines that shaped my life early on. Here are some of the learnable skills that made a lasting difference in my life:
- organizing daily routines and personal space
- thinking long term
- setting clear goals
- maintaining focus and self-discipline
- building practices that support creativity
- making space to love learning
What I'm Passionate About
My passion is sharing the tools and strategies I’ve built through my own experiences and education with anyone who feels stuck on their own journey. I’ve done this through my art, teaching, and coaching. At my core, I love learning about people and the world. I’m excited to pay forward the guidance I received as a young person, along with the many strategies I’ve developed alongside in my years of experience as a college professor, academic tutor, artist, and coach.