What Led Me to My Work
Trigger warning: this content below includes mention of my experience with sexual harassment, trauma, and loss.
Even from a young age, I knew I was here to help other people heal and grow, but I didn’t know how I would do it.
I’ve always loved people and have been fascinated with why people do what they do, what drives our behavior, and everything that lies below the surface. I believe every person has stories to tell, and many that are yet to be written.
Throughout my childhood, other kids that needed help were drawn to me; as a young, developing empath, I wanted to help everyone and “fix” their problems. I was the one whose friends always called for advice (well, this is still true, but now, as an adult, I know how to maintain my boundaries.) It wasn’t healthy and eventually, as I matured, I realized that I can only do so much for someone if they’re not able to do the work themselves with the resources they possess.
As a young teenager, I endured three grueling years of sexual harassment on a daily basis. Without knowing what else to do, I suffered through it silently; on the outside, I “stayed strong'' and I held my head high, but trying to appear OK wore me down inside. I bottled everything up and my body carried the heavy burden of suffering abuse in silence.
Tapping Into My Resources
Questioning why that happened to me, I received an intuitive download (I’m not sure what else to call it, but a verbal message came to me) that would change my life in one word: “compassion.”
It was this message that led me to a daily yoga practice (sometimes twice a day!) Instantly I felt a deep yearning for the spiritual and life practice of yoga, bringing mindfulness and exploration into all that I did. The physical practice of yoga helped me develop compassion and love for my body that had been assaulted and shamed, and the spiritual aspect of yoga helped me develop compassion for others, regardless of their actions. That experience changed the course of my life, and my yoga practice saved me from a lifetime of trauma-inflicted shame, anger, and pain.
Another big lesson in my young adulthood was grief and loss. At 14, I experienced the sudden, traumatic loss of my friend to suicide, and then at 21, the unexpected death of my father to late-stage cancer. During these painful times, I leaned on my yoga and spiritual practices to support myself through the grieving process and feel the depth of my emotions, and these experiences.
After I realized that I could navigate myself safely around trauma and other obstacles in my adult life, I assumed that other people could too and I wanted to help others get there. I started learning more tools that could help people navigate their way through life and the full spectrum of experiences from the high-highs, low-lows, and everything in between.
Ever since, I’ve dedicated much of my time studying yogic living, energy healing, psychology, communication techniques, trauma work, natural medicine, and astrology.
I’ve always been drawn to understand the mysteries of the Universe and have felt an affinity to Earth and the natural world. My practices of Yoga, energy medicine, and astrology are no exception. Yoga and energy work have become my vital resources for getting grounded and maintaining optimal energy flow, while astrology has proven to be an asset in understanding more about our unique life purpose, lessons, and how to best offer our gifts to the world. It’s like a roadmap that guides us through life with greater ease and support. In all that I do, I strive for deeper connection—with myself, with others, Earth, and the Source.
Teachers That Guided Me
After ten years of devoted practice, I became a certified yoga teacher with Shine On Yoga in Orlando, Florida in 2013. I had inquired about other programs many years before, but I was looking for one that would push me to go deeper – deeper into my Self, with others, with Earth, and with Spirit. Those earlier programs I’d considered all seemed to focus on the physical asana practice. I wanted something more, so I let it go and kept practicing consistently, learning from all of the authentic, true Yoga teachers I encountered… until the opportunity emerged to join Shine On’s YTT.
My teacher training with Shine On entailed nearly a year of honest, intense introspection into the deepest parts of who I am. I was the youngest in a small group of seven women, and I’d felt truly supported and loved - without judgment - for the first time in my life. The program was centered around healing our shadows, getting to know all the parts of who we are, building a connection with Spirit and Earth, and living in alignment with Divine Love.
It was hard.
And I loved it.
At that point I was already practicing Reiki professionally, so once I graduated my YTT I immediately began teaching group yoga classes and offering private yoga and energy work sessions.
Within a couple of years, more and more clients began asking harder, deeper questions. They really wanted to apply what they learned and experienced in our sessions into their lives – they wanted to make changes and transform. While I wanted to help them, I also knew it was beyond my scope as a professional.
So, I got back to learning and completed a professional life coaching program that equipped me with more tools to help people integrate what they experienced on the mat into their lives. Now, I was able to help people bridge the gap between where they are and where they wanted to be using yoga and energy medicine as supportive tools.
All the while, my Astrology studies continued to deepen. Then, after 6 years of self-led studying, I joined a professional Astrology program called Applied Astrology to expand my knowledge and sharpen my skills as a professional Astrologer — this program was the perfect blend of practical meets esoteric. It merged my fascination with the psyche and human behavior, my love for encouraging people to be themselves, and my trust in Nature.
This was a missing link in helping students and clients identify their life’s greatest lessons and purpose, understanding their karmic teachings, and begin aligning with their unique gifts.
Continuing to Grow
The stories I’ve told here are pieces of an intricately woven tapestry that have led me to where I am today — and will be a part of the great weaving of how I will continue to grow in the future.
Above all else, I am here to support you, guide you, and honor you. I will continue to learn new tools and techniques because some things work well for some but not for others, and I want to be able to help you in the best way for YOU.
So please reach out if you’re seeking growth, connection, and transformation! If I can help you, I will.