My Story

A Journey from Broken to Beautifully

Risen from the Ashes

Broken 

2 years ago, my life, once meticulously controlled, unraveled like a fragile thread.  Where once I thrived filled with vigor, had a fulfilling career and in peak physical condition, I found myself thrust into a terrifying reality of sleepless nights, relentless digestive symptoms and tears that seemed destined to flow eternally.  As someone accustomed to embracing productivity, independence, and success as pillars of identity, this “dark night of the soul,’ felt like an indictment of my worth. 

People-Pleasing

As a young girl, I witnessed my mother's relentless struggle—juggling three children, maintaining our home, and navigating the challenges of work. Even in my youth, I possessed a maturity beyond my years, always seeking to alleviate her burdens in any way I could. Our household, marked by the strains of single parenthood, divorce, chronic health issues, and financial strife, existed in a state of what could only be described as "controlled chaos." Despite the relentless trials, I knew deep down that my mother gave her all to provide and care for us. Naturally, my instinct became one of both "pleasing and protecting."

If You Ignore It, It Doesn’t Exist

Anxiety, depression, chronic headaches, digestive troubles, and a myriad of female health issues, punctuated by alarming episodes of fainting and neurological disturbances—all were unmistakable signals urging me to hear the cries of my body, mind, and spirit.

Burnout                                 

Burnout engulfed me like a relentless storm, its icy grip tightening with each passing day, until it felt as though I had been trapped in its clutches for an eternity.   My capacity for even the most basic expectations had been utterly depleted, leaving me floating in a sea of confusion and despair. At my lowest point I was forced to make the agonizing decision to leave behind the semblance of a career, surrendering the stability of my home and relying solely on the generosity of my children and the dwindling savings that remained.  In those darkest moments, it seemed inconceivable that my story could ever end rising from the ashes. Yet, even in the depths of my hopelessness, a flicker of light remained. 

Phoenix Rising

The journey back to life has been hard, complex, and lonely. Along the way, I've encountered numerous setbacks that have tested my resilience. My FREEDOM Foundation was born through the trials and triumphs.

Humbled as a Health Coach

I've come to realize that burnout is far more pervasive than I ever imagined. The sense of brokenness and exhaustion that accompanies burnout remains shrouded in silence, concealed beneath societal pressures to grind, work tirelessly, and relentlessly give more of ourselves.   It was a humbling realization to recognize that many of the traits I once celebrated as strengths were, in fact, responses to past traumas.  While these wounds may have propelled me to achieve great things, I've come to understand that such a lifestyle is ultimately unsustainable.  This shift in perspective has redirected my coaching focus from adults to children. Given the alarming mental health crisis among today's youth, I am driven to equip them with the tools for better cognitive function, emotional resilience, and mental fortitude. Perhaps, in doing so, we can prevent future generations from succumbing to the same fate of burnout.

Lessons Learned 

Dear friends, life was never meant to be traveled alone. While striving for excellence is commendable, the pursuit of perfection is a futile endeavor. Let us lean on one another, extend a hand in both asking for and offering help, and grant ourselves the grace we so readily give to others. It was through this journey of rising from the ashes, infused with newfound perspective and passion, that I discovered my true purpose.