I’m not interested in pat answers. We humans have indescribeable depths to us, so why stay at surface level? I want to get into the nitty-gritty of who you are and what’s going on with you. If you feel stuck on either of these things, I guarantee that we will uncover hard truths and the freedom that comes with them.
I don’t use the typical “coaching” techniques.
I don’t have any fancy coaching certifications (but I do have a law degree!), nor do I have the stereotypical questions and ideas that sometimes come from doing the coaching classes. I have read dozens of books over the last decade from every different philosophy. I pull my homework assignments and questions from the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained from immersing myself in this deep personal and spiritual transformative work for most of my adult life.
I have done real-world brave things.
“Brave” means something different to everyone, and there is always going to be someone more courageous than I am. But, I am pretty freaking proud of myself for the fears and doubts I’ve overcome, and the things that I have accomplished. I have traveled significantly, alone, across the US and internationally. My husband and I sailed across the largest stretch of open ocean in the world on our 40-foot sailboat during a year-long sailing adventure…when we had very little sailing experience. And, most recently, I confronted my evangelical christian beliefs that had been my personal and spiritual foundation for more than 30 years and I abandoned them without rebelling into atheism or grasping for a new religion. I have started businesses and ended careers. I have exposed painful secrets from my past without being dragged down into the shame that originally accompanied them. I have embraced and personified “everyday courage” and that has made me the Bravest Woman I know, and I’m proud to say that.
I am a resource-junkie.
Once our coaching sessions start up and I get to know you, I think about you throughout the week and purposely seek out resources that speak to your issues or would encourage you or further challenge you on your path. I love podcasts, blogs, books, journals, basically anything and everything related to personal and spiritual growth. And, my clients benefit from my obsession! Almost nothing makes me happier than connecting my clients with additional resources that expand their perspective and inspire them to keep moving forward.
I am open to all ways of thinking.
Due to my own personal and spiritual growth, I have broadened my horizons in every way. I am a forever student, always eager to learn. I refuse to pigeon-hole myself into one particular life philosophy and instead try to remain as detached from dualistic black/white thinking as possible. The world is amazing and there are endless opportunities to challenge ourselves and grow into our truest, highest selves. This perspective allows me to hold space for clients no matter what their beliefs are, and to share resources with you from all walks of life.
Being trained as a lawyer makes me a better coach.
Although law is a different gig altogether, one of the most important skills an attorney can have is what is known as “issue-spotting.” It’s the ability to examine a set of facts and identify what legal issues could be involved. Essentially, it’s the same skill I use as a coach to listen to the words behind the words in our conversations. You give me a set of “facts” as you know them, and I listen to what you’re saying and work with you to identify the fears, insecurities, limiting beliefs, and attachments that are going on behind the scenes. Awareness of these issues is key to addressing them, so you can learn to trust yourself without all that stuff getting in the way, so you can take real action on pursuing your dreams and goals.
It’s my life goal to choose courage everyday.
My biggest motivator in life is that I do not want FEAR to prevent me from living life to the fullest. There may certainly be other things that slow me down, but FEAR will not be one of them! I look back over my life and see so many times when I let my fear get the best of me. No more! I may still have limits, but when I come up against them, I choose courage.
I love getting into the hard stuff.
I am an enneagram 4. I like this label because it acknowledges people like me who really really really dig into the deep, dirty stuff of one’s inner life. If you want to really work hard and understand yourself better and push yourself to become the person you know you really, truly are, I’m here for you! Having soul-deep conversations is my absolute #1 favorite thing.
I’ve crossed oceans.
I sailed across the longest stretch of open ocean in the world, on a 40-sailboat. My husband I spent 25 days at sea, sailing from Mexico to the Marquesas. I still can’t believe we did it. It was an amazing adventure. The hardest ocean to cross though, was the ocean of shame I experienced after having a chemical abortion when I was 25. As a (then) southern baptist, christian woman, making that decision threw me into a shame spiral for nearly 10 years. I know what it’s like to be deathly afraid of someone finding out your deepest, darkest secret. And I know what it’s like to stand up on a stage – before the people who are most likely to judge you – and speak the truth out loud. While having an abortion wasn’t my proudest moment, it radically transformed me into a person of great compassion and, for that, I am forever grateful. It allows me to hold a beautiful space for my clients where they can be free to share anything with me, knowing that their secrets are able to breathe without judgment.
I believe in ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
When I was a kid, I never in a million years thought that I would become an attorney. The me of my 20’s, never dreamed that I would sail from San Francisco to Brisbane, Australia. As a 40-year old woman, I doubted whether I would ever be able to overcome my disabling fear of … everything. I came from an ordinary middle-class family, nothing special. And, I know, to many people, I still wouldn’t be considered anything special right now. But when I look at where I came from and where I am now and what I’ve done and how I have pushed past all these fears and insecurities, I am really proud of myself. I absolutely consider myself a brave woman. And YOU ARE, TOO. Being “Extraordinary” is personal – it’s whatever YOU define it to be. I don’t care if your current goal is to jog around the block without stopping or to climb Mt. Everest, the mental and emotional challenges to be overcome are the same. Your dreams are important and brave and will take courage to achieve, no matter how “big” or “little” anyone else judges those goals to be. I want women to be empowered to let go of the baggage that is holding them back from having the extraordinary experiences they want, as defined by them. I’m here for you. Let’s change your life!