ABOUT ME

"I help recovering superwomen get out of their Spanx and back into their Sparkle.  We move from contraction to expansion — literally and figuratively!"

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Many brilliant women are disconnected from their own desires because they’ve deployed all of their energy achieving at the office, raising picture perfect children and taking care of everything in the world but themselves. How do I know?  Because I myself fell culprit to the seduction of “having it all”.  I was smart, educated, motivated and too damn stubborn to ask for help. I knew I was in trouble when I found it hard to remember the last time I acted silly or laughed so hard I peed a little.  For the life of me I could not recall what it felt like to be content let alone happy.

When had I disconnected from joy?  From my happiness?  When did I abandon ME?

My problem was that I could not stop DOING.  

I loved to be busy because “by doing I was being”.  If I were busy then I must be important, right?  Everyone needed me, right?  Maybe, but what I actually discovered was that my addiction to over-achieving was how I kept the voices in my head on mute.  As soon as I attempted to relax, the critical chatter would crank up the volume and I’d be held hostage to my disappointment, frustration and pain.  Why feel shitty when instead I could feel productive, engaged and needed?  The choice was obvious.  I ran myself ragged and fell into burnout.

I won’t bore you with all of the details of what I affectionately term my “D.D. or "decade of drama" but here’s a snapshot.  I manifested a Beauty Queen/Martha Stewart exterior while my interior was one hot mess.  A perfect storm was brewing from a lifetime of improperly managing my emotions.  Nothing satisfied me nor excited me.  I could not control what I desperately needed to control.   I feared leaving the house because I might dissolve into a snotty mess or tear you to shreds with my cruel and venomous tongue.  As I said, I was one hot mess – and it was my shameful secret behind the facade of "life is great!"

I WOULD HAVE RATHER WALKED NAKED THROUGH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THAN ADMIT I NEEDED HELP.

I was deeply entrenched in believing that everyone else was to blame for unhappiness.  It never occurred to me that I might be making myself sick or that I was contributing to my unhappiness.  It was far more satisfying bitching about my problems than taking responsibility for any change required; or so I thought!

In all seriousness, if you have feelings of hopelessness, you are not alone. 

Women are twice as likely to suffer depression and anxiety disorders than men. The supersized stigma surrounding mental health issues silence us and we hide from the truth.  During my depression I began journaling as a healing method followed by posting on social media.  Now ten years later, my “healing method” has evolved into a desire to create a community where it is safe to be vulnerable and a place where women support women.  All feelings are valid period.  No should shaming here!

So when did things shift?

I was sitting in traffic during the summer of 2011 when I had the splendid realization that my critical voice must have gone on sabbatical.  Hallelujah!  A new voice had come to town; a voice more comparable to a trusted girlfriend.  At times she is sassy but never shaming or pushy.  She sees possibility instead of threat.  With her help, I began to effectively tame the mean girl Inner Critic! Viola’, My Girlfriend Voice was born!

My Girlfriend Voice has continued to morph over the last ten years!  I continue to invest in my education and skills regarding all things under the "brain wellness" umbrella.  I hope you'll consider following me on social media and staying in touch regarding my coaching programs and classes.

So here I am, a single, middle-aged woman and I have never been happier.  Life just keeps getting better.  I feel compelled to share the wisdom I have gained from my learnings, research and struggles and triumphs.  I hope you will come along for the adventure because you too deserve a life that you love!  Why merely survive when you can fully thrive?

FROM THE HEART,