How did you develop your confidence and self-esteem?
The desire to understand confidence came from a place of not wanting to feel insecure anymore. I have always been sensitive, an empath, and a long-time procrastinator, which led to a lot of anxiety and feeling different and disconnected. My journey to self-confidence came through a variety of different people and experiences, each validating my uniqueness and fostering self-acceptance and a desire to pursue my own path.
A few tools that still provide ongoing support are adaptive yoga, therapy, spiritual practices, podcasts, and continuing education for my job as an occupational therapist. All of these strategies help me maintain balance and a sense of self-compassion as I navigate all that life brings.
Tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most special or exciting about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about the brand. Anything new?
My background is in occupational therapy, and my passion is to invite everybody to have an emotional wellness conversation. I believe profound transformation happens when sensory strategies, breath, and movement help shift us out of our overthinking, overwhelmed minds and back into our bodies.
My work is grounded in a framework called the Energy Cycle, which captures a process of facilitating mind-body connection. I have also gained a unique set of skills to ensure inclusivity for those who are neurodivergent or have a physical disability and work to equip them to better connect with themselves through group classes and one-on-one sessions, along with educational workshops for parents and educators. I also believe that every person is an expert on their own life and experiences, so I prioritize listening and truly collaborating with clients based on their unique needs.
Something new I’m excited to launch is a group series called Body Mindfulness. Through a series of 50-minute online sessions, we explore learning styles, stress, sensory sensitivities, and executive functioning skills and provide opportunities to practice a variety of body mindfulness strategies to integrate the ones that work best into day-to-day life.
Three most important qualities or skills or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? Advice for others on how to best develop or improve on these?
Intuitive Listening: Tuning into my anxiety as a sign that things are out of alignment so I can better understand myself and develop effective support strategies to maintain balance - while also accepting that it’s a process and some days are harder than others.
Some tools for developing intuitive listening are yoga, meditation, therapy, spending time in nature, or anything that quiets your mind from the outside chaos so that you can connect with yourself and understand what you’re feeling and experiencing. These practices help expand authenticity, trust, and empathy.
Curiosity: Be comfortable saying I don’t know and be proactive about learning. Seek out podcasts, books, lectures, mentors, and other resources that normalize your experiences and empower you to implement changes that create ease and flow, ultimately resulting in more joy and self-compassion.
Belonging: Bring your whole story and self to your work and interests, sharing personal experiences in meaningful ways to strengthen connection, trust, and community. This doesn’t mean oversharing or telling everything to everyone. It requires honesty, vulnerability, and a desire to listen without judgment or solutions. Spaces are growing virtually and in-person, and I’m excited to be a part of this expansion. It’s courageous to say yes to something unfamiliar, and our emotional health needs to find these places where we feel a sense of belonging and can show up as our full selves.
Are you looking for folks to partner or collaborate with? If so, who are you looking to collaborate with?
Yes! I would love the opportunity to collaborate with anyone:
Working on a college campus looking to expand resources & education for emotional wellness
Working as an occupational therapist on a college campus, supporting neurodivergent students or those living with physical disabilities
Passionate about normalizing mental health from a holistic perspective
Providing services for autistic adults, who are interested in offering adapted yoga to their clients
Who identifies as neurodivergent and is interested in offering perspective and suggestions to my body mindfulness workshop. Having other lived experiences to enhance the workshop is welcomed!!!
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