my story

Do you feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re just getting by instead of truly thriving?

For years, I believed I was doing everything right: eating organic, exercising, and following the advice of doctors who told me everything was fine. But the fatigue, stress, and weight gain kept piling on, and I started to feel like my best days were behind me. Every decade brought a new challenge: sinus infections, hormonal imbalances, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and osteoarthritis. By the time I hit 50, I was diagnosed with estrogen dominance, uterine hyperplasia, and uterine fibroids, which left me with no choice but to go through a surgical menopause. I was 30 pounds overweight, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the stress of a demanding career, excessively long commute, and family obligations. I had no idea what to expect from my body or my life.

If you’re reading this, you might feel the same way. You’ve given so much to your career, your family, and everyone around you. But now you’re wondering: “What about me?” You’re tired of just “managing” and ready to feel energized, confident, and in control.

I know how frustrating and disheartening it can be to feel like your body isn’t cooperating or that you’re constantly being told, “This is just part of getting older.” I remember asking myself: “Is this really it? Do I just have to accept feeling this way?” But deep down, I knew there had to be a better way. And if you’re here, I’m guessing you feel that way too.

I’ve been where you are, and I want you to know it doesn’t have to be this way.

When I reached my breaking point, I decided to take control of my health and my life. Through trial, error, and a lot of learning, I discovered the transformative power of a whole foods plant-based diet, stress management, mindfulness meditation, and prioritizing my own needs. I lost 30 pounds, regained my energy, and began to feel better than I had in decades. When I lost my job in my late 50s and faced severe personal upheaval, I returned to my artistic roots and discovered the profound healing power of creative expression through collage art. This became yet another crucial component of my wellness toolkit.

But by my early 60s, I found myself at a crossroads. Decades of stress from a high-pressure career, toxic environments, and abusive people had taken a toll on my emotional well-being. I felt burned out, disconnected, and unsure of what my next chapter should look like. I knew that if I didn’t make a change soon, all the positive changes I had made to my physical, emotional, and spiritual health would soon be reversed. And then, due to a freak accident, I broke my knee and entered the world of the physically challenged.

Spending time at home during the recovery process, temporarily dependent on others and unable to enjoy the things I had once taken for granted, gave me the space to reflect deeply on my life. I realized that the only way forward was by being tenacious, being resilient, not giving up, and not losing hope. And I also realized I wasn’t alone. Countless women, just like me, were at their own crossroads: tired, uncertain, and searching for something more.

One of the things that helped me heal was going back to my art practice. During these difficult times, I found the process of creating art helped to reduce the stress I was feeling. And it wasn't my imagination. Research has proven that creative outlets, including art, journaling, music, and dance, help to reduce cortisol, disrupt rumination, and support nervous system regulation.

So instead of settling for the status quo, I made the choice to create a life that prioritized not just my health and happiness, but my purpose. That’s when I knew the next chapter of my life would be dedicated to helping others find their way forward. That’s when I went back to school, became a health and wellness coach, and built a program designed to help women like me. Women who want to thrive in every area of their lives, no matter their age or stage. Because I believe every woman deserves to thrive at EVERY age and stage of her life.

Let’s work together.

Rediscovering my creativity reminded me that healing isn't just physical. It's emotional, mental, and spiritual as well. Participating in expressive arts can help give one a renewed sense of purpose and joy. This is exactly what midlife women need most. That's why I built my coaching program around evidence-informed wellness principles and expressive arts. Then I began to expand my work into interactive workshops for corporations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.

If my story resonates with you and you'd like to learn more about my coaching program or expressive arts workshops, I'd love to hear your story, too.