About

In 2009, I began competing in triathlons and over the next two years worked my way up to the half-iron level of competition. Triathlon training also lead me unwittingly down my path toward integrative health coaching. Over the years, I had several injuries and I found that for the most part western medicine would look at my age and write me off or immediately refer me to surgeons. I realized that I had to take my healing into my own control and piece together therapies that would help my body to mend itself. As I got better at traversing more complementary options, I got stronger and more resilient. I then began to realize how many of my peers lacked the same information that I was training myself in.

In 2018, I left my last leadership position as I wanted to use my time and abilities to help others navigate wellness and self-care effectively. I began my journey transitioning from a career as a nonprofit executive to a more rewarding calling as an Integrative Health Coach. My first step was to become a registered yoga instructor and to begin to help those training with me to gain strength and resilience through working on breath and balance. After successfully completing my yoga certification at the Esther Vexler Yoga School, I began my studies in Integrative Health Coaching at Duke University and completed my certification in February 2020.

In many ways, I've been a coach for most of my thirty-year career, though I did not always contextualize it as such. Looking back on the nonprofit arts organizations and departments that I have directed since 1992, my management style has always positioned me as coach rather than supervisor. I have always looked for ways to help people see the benefits of change and assisted them with figuring out how best to achieve that for themselves. 

Once the pandemic spread, it became even more clear to me that my new vocation is combatting its impact on our society by helping clients to take charge of their health vision. I launched First Step Wellness this year as a way to help heal our communities and as your Integrated Health Coach, I bring my expertise and experience to help you take control of your health.