My story is living proof that anything is possible! The same is true for you!
My Story.
For most of my life, I felt like I didn’t belong and was never good enough. Can anyone relate? I would constantly strive to obtain the approval of others, and then beat myself up when I didn’t feel like I measured up. I turned to food and alcohol to numb my feelings. I graduated in 4 years with my bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Chico State, not because I was passionate about a particular career choice, but rather because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do. I knew I wanted some sort of work where I could help people. I went on to obtain my master’s degree in Social Work from the 1-Year Advanced Standing Program at San Diego State University. My internship was to start a Collegiate Recovery Community for students in recovery for addiction and allies. I was not personally sober, nor did I want to be, nor could I imagine why anyone else would want to be. Looking back, I realize that this internship planted a valuable seed for the deep healing change that was to come.
It wasn’t until I decided to go back to therapy that everything shifted.
My therapist helped me to see that I had addictive tendencies and that perhaps seeking additional sober support would be helpful. Who would’ve thought? Fresh out of my Masters Degree Program, I started a new job working as a CalWORKs Case Manager in Escondido providing intensive case management to clients in crisis, maybe not the perfect job for someone who is trying to get sober! Needless to say, I was stressed but I developed enough willingness to build sober support. Through doing so, I learned the value of acquiring positive friendships, starting my morning off right with a routine, setting boundaries and being of service. I soon became a valuable asset to my CalWORKs team and supported a lot of families in need. I later worked for an outpatient program for parenting women recovering from addiction, giving to others what was freely given to me.
Then my mom was diagnosed with Stage-4 Pancreatic Cancer.
She passed away less than 30 days after she was diagnosed. We were all shocked and absolutely heart-broken. She will always be the greatest woman I’ve ever known and my biggest cheerleader. Shortly after I was encouraged to attend a breathwork class which truthfully, I had no desire to attend. I will never forget what I experience that night. I cried. I yelled. I shook. I laughed. I had a vision that I was floating through Heaven with my mom. I could hear her encouraging me to keep going even when it was getting difficult. I could feel her love so powerfully all from 30 minutes of laying on a mat and breathing in a conscious-connected way. I was blown away and I knew from that moment on that I had to consistently do this work. I started attending weekly breathwork classes and I regularly made my healing a priority.
I invested in my own support.
At this point, I had almost completed my required clinical hours to be a licensed therapist, but I still had no idea what I wanted to do once I got that piece of paper. I nearly jumped off my mat when my breathwork facilitators Cory and Jess shared in class that they were offering 1:1 mentorship specifically to support people in curating their personal and professional vision. I realized through participating in this powerful 4-month experience with them that I desired to use my love of dance in a therapeutic setting to support people in their healing journey. I completed Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator Training with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and later RESET Breathwork Teacher Training with The Healing Couple. I went on to become licensed in Clinical Social Work and sought out new opportunities that would advance my skill set.
I boldly trusted my intuition.
I worked for about 7 months with a corporate mental health company and soon learned that it was no longer a good fit for me. I attended a powerful live Wealth Embodiment event called Holy Yes facilitated by Victoria Washington, where I was surrounded by inspirational women who were going all in on their businesses. I desperately wanted to begin my own private practice, but I didn’t know how. By the end of the event, I knew in my heart that despite the obstacles, I would soon be working for myself. Reality set in about 2 weeks later and I started looking for alternate jobs. I discovered through consecutive incidents of divine intervention that my new job did not provide the support that I needed. I quit 2 weeks in, which is something I have ever done in my life. I am proud to say that I chose my physical and emotional well-being over a paycheck. Looking back, I am so grateful that this happened the way it did. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here to support you today.
Celebrating all that is possible!
Now I am following my soul’s purpose and changing lives starting with my own. I am 8 years sober. I have my private practice supporting people through using my unique skillset of emotional process work, Dancing Mindfulness and RESET Breathwork. I am living proof that lasting change begins and ends with the body and that anything is possible when you are willing to do the work. Your body is your greatest vessel for healing. This is your moment to say “Holy Yes” to you. You have been put on this earth to do something amazing. Now you get to go all in and see what’s possible. You are worthy of healing and living a life beyond your wildest dreams. If any part of my story is resonating with you right now, please consider this a sign and reach out to me. I would love to connect with you! <3