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 lead 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.