personal experiences That Inspire my coaching

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WHAT I LEARNED:  No one strength will fully compensate for other untrained aspects - especially when it's using brut, physical force to run roughshod over the subtle, deeper emotional and mental states.   I still get emotional when I think about it. Also, no matter how much or hard I trained, there are no guaranteed outcomes on race day - or in life.  All of life is a constant experiment and evolve process that creates a very individual perspective of what happiness is. 

The Backstory: I dreamed one day I'd run a marathon and that happened, unintentionally, a year when I was a training partner for others.  I ran a lot of miles and completed the long runs - so why not run a marathon everyone asked.  I was physically trained at that point.  I was not, however, emotionally or mentally prepared.  

Race day was nerve wracking and filled with off the chart energy.  The first 13 miles were amazing!  I couldn't believe I was doing this!!  The second half (13.2 miles) was .... humbling.   After realizing the wheels were falling off the track, or more aptly, my feet were refusing too keep me upright - I began to crumble and fall - literally. 

I had failed to understand how under trained I was emotionally and mentally for such a grand experience.  At mile 18 I cried so hard no one could understand a word I was saying.  At mile 25.5 I declared I would not finish.  I tried to stop, defeated by my over-taxed body, consumed by feelings of failure mentally, and  depleted emotionally but the last 0.7 miles between me and the car was the finish line so there was no way around it.   

 WHAT I LEARNED:  It worked out - I enjoyed the problem solving aspect of my roles and I had an absolutely life altering time when I studied abroad in Spain!  But, eventually the constant grind of working 90-hour weeks and jet-setting to "recharge" took a toll on me.  I was forced to admit while I could do this forever, that forever wasn't going to be a very long time at this pace.   

The Backstory: This is the logic of a naive 17 year old who idolized the stories shared by Spanish teachers but also grew up with vast and significant resource constraints.  "FIND A WAY" was the mantra back then - so why not declare a major that seemed to guarantee a job and above living wage compensation.  Only snag at that time was my struggle with math but that was a teenie-tiny issue compared to my massive desire to travel. 

Six were women, one was a catholic priest!

WHAT I LEARNED:  Living life and saying yes to experiences can be more rewarding than our wildest imaginations can create!  When I set off to travel alone, I only wanted to know I could do it.  I returned filled with beautiful examples of amazing women and thanks to  Father Joe,  access to see frescos being restored in churches restricted to clergy.   

The Backstory: I decided to take my first solo-travel trip and joining a group seemed like the most gentle way to ease into it. When I first arrived in Tuscany, I was introduced to a group of women with varying demographics - from where they lived, whether marriage/single/divorce, age, religious beliefs, and careers.  I was 28 and elated to be a part of this group of modern women! 

This joy carried over into dinner that first night when we were told we'd have one more joining our group.  He would join us soon.  The shock of a man joining our group was interesting, learning he was a priest was both shocking AND comical.  

 ..... gave him a smooch on the cheek.  

WHAT I LEARNED:  When I was young I made some interesting  decisions.  Would I repeat them today?  Probably not.  But being present and a bit impulsive in certain moments can created rich, lasting memories for later.  And I kind of love that I have this story to tell because it could've ended with just another boring side-by-side photo opp.  

The Backstory: Christmas parties can sometimes blur lines so I'm not saying this was the most professional decision I could've made.  I was also very happy to meet the man who makes me laugh (still today thanks to OMITB) and I felt that if I was going to get that close, I was going to make it memorable.  Mostly for me but if Martin Short ever publicly recants this story, I have the picture - LOL! 

 Lily is my dog and expert in all things subtle body. 

WHAT I LEARNED:  I can seek out tranquility.  I can create sacred space. I can work intently on making everything perfectly prepared for my practice.  Then Lily sits on me.  Or lays across my mat.  Or barks during my deepest, internally focused moments and scares me back into reality.  Often while I'm trying to be a professional. 

That's life.  And as far a I can tell, the best life is the one where I'm fully and completely in it.  As Lily suggests - rest when I can, yell when I must, and stay close to loved ones.   

WHAT I LEARNED:  Get involved in things that are important to you - a little can make a big difference.  Also, please don't forget to spay or neuter your fur-babies.   Follow us on IG: dogsontherun_hoboken

The Backstory: Inspired by so many amazing rescue organizations and volunteers I wanted to contribute to helping improve the life of dogs who'd been mistreated.  Combining my love of running and dogs, I co-founded a non-profit to raise money for abused and neglected dogs so that they could get the medical care they needed in order to be adopted. 

WHAT I LEARNED:  Just because I can't do things the way others say I "should" or that I need to do it a certain way doesn't mean I can't achieve great results.  A slight difference in my perspective and honoring my strengths, I'm able WIN a spelling game - all while not being the BEST speller. 

The backstory: It's hard to explain but forming words out of letters feels like solving a puzzle to me.  How some people see colors when they play music or understand geometry (not I!) - arranging letters  to me feels strategic. 

WHAT I LEARNED:  First, food is the love language of my family so I worked to master one thing - meatballs.  And I've never been disappointed in doing so.  Enjoying a home cooked meal with my family is so important to me that we have a set night, each week blocked off on everyone's schedule.  Second, giving love and receiving love isn't always apples to apples.  In my case I put my time, effort and love into meatballs and in return I receive ratatouille because I prefer vegan meals.  Sometimes feeling heard and being seen is the true language of Love.  

The backstory: My secret, I don't eat the meatballs.    Also, I add a whole onion to simmer in the sauce that I  make from scratch (and do eat!)

NBC-HWC: Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Mayo Clinic: Health & Wellness Coach

ISHTA:  500 hour certified yoga & meditation instructor 

CPA & PMP (previously held) Certified Public Accountant and Project Management Professional