3 Things You Don't Know About Me

It can be easy to look at someone's life from the lens of the internet and assume they have it all together. Their life can seem beautiful, simple and superior to yours. Let's break that myth today, as I share 3 things you don’t know about me. I’ll let you in on the story of what brought me to the point I'm at today, so you can understand the power of your own journey, and the beauty in the imperfect moments that truly shape us.

Mental Health

My focus on mental health, and belief in the importance of caring for our bodies so we can support our minds, is something I’ve been aware of since I was very young - 10 to be exact. One of the biggest influences, and loves of my life was my grandma, who was affectionately called Grandy. She & I were inseparable, and I adored and looked up to her as long as I can remember. She was pure joy & love, and one of the most generous people I’ve ever known. She also hid her mental health struggles from me, so I wouldn’t be burdened by her truth. It wasn’t until I was 10 that she opened up about her battle with depression. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, but I knew it made her sad, and didn’t allow her to get up in the morning after a sleepover and play together - which was everything we both wanted.

I watched the journey of her mental health as we fought as a family to keep her well and provide the best care for as long as possible. If you’ve struggled with mental health, or had a loved one that has, you know the raw pain of being robbed of who you are by your own body. I watched her battle dementia for 10 years, and I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone.

But if Grandy taught me anything, it’s that we are stronger than our biggest setbacks and that good will always prevail. It was shortly after her passing that I stopped denying the urge inside me to share my big dreams and ideas. I wanted to show up and help make a change in the world of wellness, and Grandy remains a huge source of inspiration for the messages I share. I’ll forever be an advocate and constant learner for how we can improve and fight against mental illness.

Burnout

I talk about burnout a lot, because it’s a story I know all too well. I come from a long line of very hard workers and high-achievers. On top of this gift, I also descend from line of very stubborn people (just ask my husband). Both work together to keep me constantly striving and moving forward with conviction; it can also lead me down a path of burnout at a fast pace. I found this to become increasingly true after I got married and we decided to start a family. Before we had kids I could always solve a problem by doing more, and pushing harder. My go-to answer was to take on extra work or find career advancements that could help afford us what we wanted to do. That worked for a while, I could manage a full-time job and extra contract work by keeping long hours and focusing. I could do it all. Then we had kids…

I entered motherhood with the idea I could solve problems the way I always have, by doing. I could somehow try to work from my home office and watch my newborn at the same time - for anyone who’s tried this, you know it was a moment of pure insanity. I still managed to hold it together until we had our second daughter. When she came along, she was my wake-up call. Exhausted from working at a multi-day conference, onsite and pregnant with her, I knew I had to change. I didn’t know how, and my stubborn side was super resistant, but I finally started listening to the idea within me that maybe there was an easier way. A way with more ease, simplicity, and less pushing.

Hard work is always my default, but today I am much more aware of when I’m crossing the line to burnout. The best way I’ve learned to get out of my own way is by asking for help. Whether that’s asking my husband for help around the house, asking my parents to help with our girls, or simply asking for time alone; I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t the sign of weakness I believed it to be. Help is a sign of power and change, and it’s what builds the phenomenal, fulfilling, and amazing life of our dreams.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with all that’s been thrown on your plate check out “What to do when you’re not ok.” This gives my honest account of breaking down and rising above in pandemic life.

High-Achievement

I’m a high-achieving mama raising two strong and confident young girls. I’m also a driven entrepreneur building a business I’m so passionate about - all while still working a full time corporate job. I know what it feels like to push down the voice inside you and say the time isn’t right, make the choices that seem easier at the time because change is hard.  I know what it feels like to think you can do it all and simultaneously feel like a failure for not being able to keep up with the juggle. I am living proof of the work I share with others. I push beyond my fearful voice every day, because I know that greatness lives outside our comfort zones.

Life is short, and our time doesn’t deserve to be spent doing things out of obligation that we don’t care about. We deserved to feel fired up, excited and feel confident we’re working towards becoming our greatest selves. This will never happen if we don’t first listen to ourselves, listen to the voice telling us exactly what it is that we need. We all have intuition and inner wisdom but it takes bravery & confidence to let go of fear and listen to the voice that’s longing to guide us. It’s easy to make the simple decisions before us every day, it’s hard to listen to our guidance that’s pushing us to change.

There you have it, you now know 3 things about you likely did not know before today! I hope by sharing these insights into my life, you can feel supported, more connected and encouraged to explore the areas of your life that aren’t easy. It’s in this space that greatness is built!

If this blog has inspired you, I invite you to join my community of high-achieving mamas who support, encourage & empower one another as we make healthy living doable in our real lives. Learn more about the Mindbody Collective, my holistic health coaching membership. You can click here to join the waitlist and receive amazing freebies while you wait for doors to reopen!