After IBM, I began the journey of understanding my purpose. I knew that part of the development was becoming physically healthier. I had consumed myself with my children and I needed a little time to myself. So I decided to start running. It was flexible enough to work with my schedule, it didn’t require equipment, money, or depending on others. For me, it was a temporary escape for meditation and freedom.

At first, running was very difficult. I struggled to run from one light post to the next. It was a perfect metaphor for how challenged I felt. I kept at it though, conquering one light post at a time until I was able to run my first 10K in 1999. That did wonders for my self esteem.

Fast forward….

I continued to use running to challenge myself. In February 2010, I ran my first MARATHON (woah). After completing the marathon, I thought back to how intense the training was. I was running 20 or more miles every week for months. In addition, I was teaching 11 group fitness classes, personal training, subcontracting with a health-group, and public speaking.

I parent my 3 now young adult children (that requires major adjustments too), maintain a close relationship with my husband, write, volunteer, and do housework (as little as possible).  I am very active with my church and work at being healthy everyday.  I love teaching my fitness classes.  I especially love sharing yoga practice, meditation.  I try very hard to include meditation in my daily practice as well as keeping nutrition and exercise a priority.  

I found purpose in encouraging and teaching others to live life in a healthier way.  I enjoyed the corporate world in some ways, but I never got the fulfillment I get from helping others find success in achieving greater balance and well-being.  So many are frustrated  because they feel like they tried everything to lose weight, or they just feel terrible, and nothing is working.  Helping them to identify and successfully execute a lifestyle change is a win – win!  I can’t tell you how elated I am, every time! 

A portion of the proceeds from my classes go to degenerative diseases.  So many are suffering from things that are sometimes preventable, and if not, can be better managed through education and change.  Diseases like heart, diabetes, auto-immune, and many cancers.  Research and cures are necessary, but we can do better.  Encouraging and lovingly spreading the word of self-care for prevention and  restoration of health; mind body, and soul, is what I was put on the planet to do.