How a Major Knee Injury Changed My Life.

Before it happened, I never would have believed that a major knee injury would be the catalyst for changing my life. For years I had felt unfulfilled and unsure of what direction my life was going in. I worked at various jobs continuously searching, but at the same time always staying within a “safe” zone. Soccer, which I love playing, became my escape. As much as I knew that there was something off and that I was here for a greater purpose, I felt that as long as I could play soccer everything would be okay. I was completely stuck in a rut. I didn’t know how to make a change. Then in 2006 I tore my ACL in my left knee and had to have reconstructive surgery. This event was a turning point in my life. Tearing the ligament in my knee gave me the push I needed to change my life.

Change didn’t happen over night, other than not being able to play soccer for a long while. But over the next year I was able to make big changes in my life. I started taking classes at the Foundation for Spiritual Development (FSD), a school devoted to self-empowerment and expanding intuition, where I learned more about myself. I looked into nutrition programs to work towards a new career. I quit my job and traveled to Europe for three months. Looking back now, it is clear that a few other events from my past helped bring me to where I am today.

Since a very young age health and wellness have been interests of mine. These stem from my own, as well as my family's experiences with various health concerns and spiritual explorations. My little brother had recurring ear infections and was given prescription after prescription of antibiotics. Eventually my mother listened to her intuition that there was more behind the ear infections. She knew there was a root-cause that had not yet been found. Through allergy tests it became clear that sugar was feeding an excess of yeast in his system and causing the ear infections.  Once sugar was taken out of his diet he didn’t have any more ear infections and in addition he became a much calmer and more focus little boy. 

During college I faced my own health challenge. I was always overly tired, despite getting nine hours of sleeps, exercising regularly, and eating what I thought was a healthy diet. It turned out that my immune system was on overload and reacting negatively to a wide array of foods including wheat, nightshade vegetables (i.e. tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes), sugar, diary, and soy. After about six months of avoiding those foods I felt stronger, had plenty of energy, and was slowly able to add some of these foods back into my diet in a moderate, more balanced way. 

Over many years I learned to listen to my body and its’ unique needs. As I worked in various jobs, I read about nutrition and experimented with cooking techniques. One year I lived with two vegetarians and thus was exposed to a whole new way of eating and cooking. Friends even started asking me for advice around health and cooking. But until my wake-up-call when I tore my ACL I never even dreamed that I could make these interests into my career. As I mentioned, the injury was the push I needed to make bigger changes in my life.

The nutrition program that I studied with was the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), an affiliate of Columbia University in New York City. This program spoke to me with its’ holistic and integrated approach. We studied all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts such as the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods. As part of our education, we began coaching others and were also taught the business aspects of starting a health coaching career. In June 2008 I completed my certification and became a certified Health Coach.  For more information about my health coaching education, please go here.

As I started working as a Health Coach, I continued my explorations in spirituality and personal growth at FSD. The tools I learned became central in my everyday life. I experienced amazing shifts and openings in my life and recognized the incredible value others could gain from these tools. If these helped me to tap into my authentic self and bring forth my deepest desires, then they could help others do the same. In 2010 I completed the Spirit Coach training program, developed by one of the teachers at FSD. This program built on my previous years of learning at FSD. It deepened my understanding of the tools and gave me insight into how to teach these to others. In addition, this training allowed me to delve deeper into my own personal growth, strengthening my ability to guide clients in a safe, supportive and loving way. For more information about Spirit Coaching, please go here.

In addition to my health and spirit coach trainings, I have also explored various types of healing modalities, from receiving acupuncture and massage to becoming trained in Jin Shin Jyutsu and Quantum Touch. As a Health and Spirit Coach my aim is to help people awaken their unique gifts and bring greater connection and health to their bodies, so that they feel empowered and can share their passions with the world.

I believe each of us has a unique life path and I would love to hear what your story is.

Some additional information about me:

• Teacher and student at the Foundation for Spiritual Development (FSD), a personal growth school in San Rafael, CA.
• Spent two weeks at John of God in Brazil. See here for full account of that profound experience.
• Completed the Spirit Coach Training® program with founder Jenai Lane in 2010.
• Became a Certified Health Coach in 2008, trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition® (IIN), a Columbia University affiliate in New York City.
• Certified Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner, which is a gentle healing form of acupressure used to harmonize the life energy in the body.
• Lead groups in a gentle cleanse program about twice a year.
• Teach cooking classes for children and for adults.
• Participated in a multi-day Quantum Touch healing training.
• Worked as a Jesuit Volunteer for one year. During that year I lived in community with 3 others and learned how to live on a very limited budget.
• Previous work has included: Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Sales & Marketing, Area Director and Bookkeeper.
• BA from Middlebury College, class of 2000. International Studies major (Geography/Spanish focus) and a German minor
• Lived abroad for a year in a rural part of Germany from 1995-96 and for 6 months in Madrid, Spain in 1999.
• I am an active person who loves to play soccer, hike, bicycle, walk, dance (in particular ballroom & swing), practice yoga, and generally spend time out of doors.
• Recently I’ve joined a community garden, where I’m excited to learn as much as I can about growing food.
• I also enjoy traveling, meditation, playing games, painting/drawing, listening to music, knitting, quilting, being creative, and learning new things. 
• Most importantly I love to spend time with the many special people in my life.

I believe every person has the power to create a life they are excited to be living.
Love Life.  Learn and Expand.