A Personal Story of Resilience

My life has been a series of awakenings. A journey of self discovery. Of course, I did not know this as life was unfolding, that would have been too simple. It wasn’t until my 30’s that all of the puzzle pieces started to fit perfectly together.

But this is not a pity party, my heart is filled with gratitude. I am not battered nor broken, but better for having overcome. I expose my scars because they have shaped who I am. They are my story, my journey.

We each have a voice, a story, a purpose for being here.

I was a ballerina for most of my adolescence, played softball and tennis, sang in the school choir, and felt just…average. I have vivid memories of being bullied from the age of 5 years old, and was molested by a young neighbor for several years when I was around 8 or 10, never telling a soul. My parents were loving but not present. It was soon time to escape my mid-size suburban town and head north to university in Vermont, where I finally felt a freedom to be the real me.

Soon after graduation I started a great job which turned into a “successful” career (or so I defined it at the time), encountered wonderful mentors, climbed the executive ladder which lead to financial success (notice how I did not say purpose-driven).

But down the rabbit hole I went again. I entered into a toxic long-term relationship which in its final years turned controlling and abusive.

Later in life I came to understand that throughout it all, during the first 16 years of my life, what made me unique, was my RESILIENCE to persevere. My innate strength to overcome adversity. This is my superpower!

This tenacity would come in handy when I found myself standing in my kitchen, bloody and battered, after being hit by my ex. That, by the way, was the day that relationship ended. My girls and I have not looked back since.

Today, I am am grateful. Blessed. Happy.

I am mom first and foremost, raising two bold beautiful girls, cherish my friendships, have had a very successful career. I believe in the power of human connection. I have finally found real love in my life…deep, abounding love. I am proud of who I have become and the life that I have built.

I am the culmination of all of my life experiences. My relationships, my toxic marriage, my job, my family, the good, the bad, the blessings. Every last moment has shaped me.

This is what what drives me to help others. Be the support that I never had.

I believe that self-awareness, mindfulness and empowerment are the keys to the kingdom. They provide the architecture from which all healthy relationships are built. Beginning with value of self -- leads to valuing others -- and finally effecting change on a greater scale.