
I was raised in a single parent home in Charleston, WV, where my mom worked hard to provide for us. Early on she enrolled me in dance class which became my joyful safe haven, and years later my career. My biological father was a hot-tempered alcoholic who I visited a few times a year. Growing up I traveled between two different homes–one of loving and struggle, and the other of fear and unpredictability. I saw a lot and learned what I didn’t want my life to be.

My mom wasn’t allowed to follow her dreams when she was younger so she supported me in following mine. I graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in musical theater. My plan was to take Broadway by storm! After moving to New York and spending years auditioning and facing rejection after rejection, I finally made my Broadway debut in the musical, Mamma Mia. I genuinely believed this moment would “fix” me and make me good enough–which was not the case. Reaching this goal only intensified my desire for perfection.

I left the big apple to pursue tv and film in Los Angeles. It was here where I reached my breaking point. After twenty years of disordered eating, hating my body and striving for perfection, I found myself lost. Within a two week time frame I went through a painful breakup, reached my goal weight and still loathed my body and received a scathing review in a play. I felt broken and alone. At this point I discovered The University of Santa Monica where I enrolled in their two year masters degree program in Spiritual Psychology. During that time I found a new me. I had a healing with my relationship with my body, let go of patterns of perfection and created a more loving/kind way of being with myself.

Because of the changes I shared above, other people started to notice–women especially. They would express how different I was…that I was more confident and free in my body. Could I help them experience that too? I said yes and put together my first-ever workshop to support women in their relationship with their bodies. After leading it, I was hooked…and bodyheart, my first company, came to be. I led programs, spoke across the world and created a movement devoted to helping people love the skin they were in. See more at bodyheart.org.

As much as I loved the work I was doing, I wasn’t making ends meet. In fact, at one point I had $44K in credit card debt. I judged myself as a failure and felt so much shame. I knew the work I was doing was good, but I couldn’t seem to fill my programs or find clients–that is until I met and started working with Michelle Bauman. Michelle saw me and what I was capable of before I did. With her guidance I worked through my internal limiting beliefs about money and what was possible for me, while also implementing new and different actions in my coaching practice. Within a year and a half I paid off my debt, made multiple six-figures, and knew how to be a professional coach. Michelle dramatically transformed my life. I was devastated when she passed away from cancer in 2015. It was only after she died that I realized she loved me fiercely. Here is when Fierce Loving, Inc. was born. I decided to carry on her legacy with myself, clients and community.



I have a thriving coaching practice where I serve a wide range of individuals, including actors, film makers/producers, moms/dads, small business owners, coaches, and corporate and creative executives. I also create and facilitate coaching groups for body, leadership, business growth and life. I am guest faculty for The CFJ Coaching Success School, a six month program for coaches of all backgrounds and styles focused on the art of client acquisition through serving. I live in Los Angeles with my husband and two rescue pups. n addition to continuing my own education about leadership (hello Ted Lasso), loving,equity, justice, and inclusion, I also volunteer regularly at a local dog shelter. I am committed to Fiercely Loving my life and helping my clients and community do the same.

Coaching Practice

Now

Your Life
I believe we are in a significant time in history–a period of great awakening and cultural change that you and I are destined to be a part of. We know this because we’re alive right now.
We are being given an opportunity to come together to create a world that accepts, supports, and celebrates all people. We are moving away from outdated models and structures of power over, competition and comparison to updated models of power with/to, collaboration and innovation. (For more on power over vs power with/to, see Brene Brown’s podcast.)
It’s time to create a thriving future that has reverence for all life–including people (of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual preference), animals, and all living beings on planet earth. A future that values compassion, kindness, respects boundaries, listens generously, embraces differences, evens the playing field, honors identity and understands that our diversity of backgrounds, experiences, thinking, etc is a superpower.
I am starting with myself, consciously looking within to see how I can contribute to this vision. I’m having uncomfortable conversations, opening myself to seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, and recognizing my privilege so that I may use it in service to uplifting marginalized voices.
Healing is a process and it starts within. As a white, able-bodied, heteronormative woman, I’m committed to doing my part in building a bridge for a better world. I’ve coached with Trudi Lebron, DEI/Social Impact strategist and coach, and am currently in her Collective. I’m reading books, listening to podcasts, donating to people/campaigns/organizations that are leading the charge in the transformation I want to see.
I’m not perfect. I’ve messed up and will mess up again–and I’m willing to repair when I do.
This is the kind of community I’m invested in creating–one where Fierce Loving is the guiding light.
As a compassionate advocate for humanity, I believe change begins within—but it doesn’t remain there. When we become more conscious, it is our responsibility to share our loving kindness. One of the ways I do that is by supporting the organizations below. Know, when you invest in yourself through my work, you are contributing to transformation of the planet.
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Best Friends Animal SocietyThe mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. They do this by helping end the killing in America’s animal shelters through building community programs and partnerships all across the nation. They believe that by working together we can Save Them All.
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Together RisingIn a world where crises abound and heartbreak is in every community, people who want to help often don’t know where to turn. Together Rising is where to turn. They identify areas of concern for their community, and then connect their givers’ generosity with the people and organizations who are effectively addressing that critical need.
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One Tree PlantedOne Tree Planted is an Environmental Charity that Supports Reforestation Around the World. You Can Make an Impact and Plant a Tree in an Area that Needs Support. One Dollar One Tree. Help the Planet. Make a Positive Impact.
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Equal Justice InitiativeThe Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
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National Resources Defense CouncilNRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
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Center for Humane TechnologyThe Center for Humane Technology envisions a world where technology is realigned with humanity’s best interests. Their work expands beyond tech addiction to the broader societal threats that the attention economy poses to our well-being, relationships, democracy, and shared information environment. Watch The Social Dilemma to explore more.
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Girls on the RunGirls on the Run® is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
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Freedom to Choose: Education for a Second ChanceFreedom to Choose offers workshops and classes designed to teach practical communication, emotional competency and self-responsibility skills to men and women in prison, on parole and probation so that they may return to society and lead productive, successful lives.