"As a kid, I was an introvert, which is truly shocking if you know me today. Back then, I was happiest lost in a book or deep in imaginary worlds with my Barbies and beanie babies (#millennial). That love of stories led me to study English and, eventually, to the front of a classroom full of reluctant high school seniors. I was armed only with an Expo marker and the hope that they might come to find comfort or insight in the same stories that had always grounded me. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was also beginning my lifelong work in holding space for people—through language, reflection, humor, and care. That path took me around the world, teaching in countries most people can’t find on a map, navigating not just chalk-dusted desks but culture, language, and change. Over time, my roles expanded and I juggled many titles including teacher, manager, mentor, coach, counselor, and occasional travel agent. I thrived in the complexity of it all…until I didn’t. Like many educators and leaders who pour themselves into the work, I hit burnout. I had always been “the strong one,” the one who could figure it out, support everyone else, and still keep smiling. But I started to notice a quiet emptiness behind the noise of productivity. I realized I wasn’t okay and that I didn’t have to be. It was during this chapter that I found mental health coaching, not as a profession, but as a lifeline. The space to explore my values, habits, fears, and hopes without judgment helped me reconnect with myself in ways that years of achievement and service hadn’t. It gave me language, tools, and permission to be both a work in progress and worthy of care. That experience didn’t just shift my well-being but it reshaped my purpose. Today, I’m a coach because I believe everyone deserves that kind of support. I help others build mental health not just in crisis, but as a foundation for creativity, leadership, and JOY. I’m passionate about creating environments that prioritize well-being, fuel learning, and build resilient, human-centered cultures. Whether I’m coaching an individual, leading a workshop, or designing a strategy for team growth, my goal is the same: to help people feel more connected. To themselves, their purpose, and the communities they serve. I am also a proud graduate of the Headspace Training Institute (June 2025) and a Certified Mental Health Coach."