Thank you for taking the time to go on this small journey with me. I had always been in the mind frame that I need to write for other people's feedback and approval. This is my attempt to write for me in hopes it impacts you at some level. We are all human, our experiences are messy, unorganized, chaotic, unplanned, and real. I have personally been on a unique journey throughout my life and fought with accepting that journey. As I get older and work on the realization that everything is not going to be picture perfect and I can't change the past, I diligently work on embracing my story and who I am. I am seeking my authentic self in a world that dictates who we should be, why, and how. 

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So hear it is. I am a "thirty something" female living in the deep south inside the safety of a more progressive city (thank god) with my beautiful wife and two crazy pups. I was born and raised on the East Coast which will always have my heart since I am a true lover of Billy Joel, the "shore", the mountains of the tri-state area, real pizza and bagels, and people who aren't afraid to say how they feel through expressive profanity. Music has guided my heart, mind, and soul my whole life although I have no musical talent (except when I rap Eminem after a few alcoholic beverages or sing any type of rock at the top of my lungs in my car), it resonates deeper with me than anything else in life. I have several tattoos which all document my personal struggles, goals, and hopes. I love wine but have a love hate relationship with alcohol in general thanks to college and current fitness goals. My puppies are my children even though they are moochers who need jobs. Nature is my safe haven and I am hoping one day I can find the courage to buy a tiny house on a huge lot and maybe find the meaning of life. Coffee is life and no fitness routine or fad will ever get me to let that go. I love to travel but I'm too broke to do so thanks to Student Loans. My true friends are my family and were hard to find and my wife deserves a metal for dealing with me every day. 

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Professionally and educationally, I spent 9 years studying Psychology and Mental Health Counseling which will always be my passion due to my personal experiences struggling with Depression, Anxiety, and coming out as a Lesbian. With our big move, I also changed career paths.  I wanted to make sure that any career path I chose also had a touch of helping profession and health involved. I spent about 4 years working in Healthcare/Health Insurance when I discovered my love for total Health and Wellness and understanding the impact of behavior, intervention, education and prevention on Chronic Conditions. With this discovery, I was able to see how I could tie my background in Psychology and Counseling into Physical Health and Wellness and Healthcare. As a result, I obtained my Health Coaching Certification and pursued a job with a Health and Wellness company that integrates wellness programs and activities into company culture, environments, and benefit plans. Being the type A person I have become, all these experiences have allowed me to wrap my knowledge and experience into a "pretty little package" that allows me to approach Health and Wellness from a multifaceted, multidimensional, holistic approach, since the truth of the matter is, mental and physical well being is and can be, quite complex. 

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I always love getting the question, "what would you do for a living if money wasn't a factor?" Because, unlike some people, I would still work. But, I would take that freedom as an opportunity to use my experiences and outlooks to reach out to as many people I can through guest speaking and writing on total health and wellness in hopes that we can make sense of this crazy world together and realize that our experiences should not lead us to isolation, but unity. We are not alone and our circumstances, trials, and tribulations and the more we hide behind them in shame, the greater the divide among humanity. My aspiration is that we can all get to the point that we can use what we have endured as a tool to bring us closer together based on authenticity, empathy, and genuine human spirit while guiding those who come after us.