I came to a point where I lost all hope. The recovery world, my higher power, and medical professionals in behavioral health filled me with a breath of fresh air of empowerment so that not only was I receiving encouragement, but I believed it, internalized it, and utilized it. Today, I share my story, to help others - to be there for - anyone, anywhere - when the hand of addiction or personal change reaches out. I understand you where others fail to understand you. I am an empathetic person. Empathy is the ability to understand your emotions and embrace those emotions because they are similar to emotions that I have experienced and then give back to you that feeling of - I am no longer alone, whereas sympathy is more of I feel really sorry for you. I have never been one that has ever wanted to be given sympathy. Empathy I will take any day, sympathy – not so much. We can offer sympathy whether we have experienced it or not. To offer empathy, you have to have lived that experience or have had some connection with that in order to be empathetic to a person. I have been to multiple low points in the deep, dark valleys of addiction and mental health. I am not someone with fancy degrees or certificates that is merely book smart. I have specific knowledge - I can help someone who really needs it with what I've learned through lived experience, in my own challenges and pain. It is a miraculous story I am alive today and have been given multiple opportunities to share my story of experience, strength, and hope with others who I can relate with on a personal level, and for that - I am grateful. To see me where I am at today, it shocks and awes all those who knew me personally, during the multiple low points in the deep, dark valleys of addiction and mental health. We are not perfect human beings - sometimes we make mistakes even when we are trying our best to do the next right thing. We understand one another. I have real world, first-hand experience, and practical knowledge when it comes to addiction of drugs and alcohol, severe depression, weight loss/weight gain, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, loss of a loved one (family members as well as close friends), anxiety, brokenness from childhood traumas, other addictive behaviors, spiritual struggles, isolation, codependency, relationship issues, and the daily struggles that come with parenthood. We have many bumps (some hard, some soft) and cracks (some deep, some shallow) along this path through the journey we call the circle of life. Always remember - it's progress, not perfection. 

Today, I celebrate over 12 years of successful recovery. I am proud of my accomplishments as well as operating a business. My true passion is to serve others from all levels of society in all stages of life, helping people take action on something that could change their life for the better - whether in recovery or not. I hold hope for others that they can recover, and they will make it to achieve their goals and their dreams - what they want out of their life. I do not believe in giving up and staying stagnant. I believe in growth and change are possible no matter what stage of Recovery you are in. I believe that the more people that we can help realize that Recovery is possible, the more people in Recovery are going to be out there in our own neighborhoods, in our own towns, helping give back – it is something that is empowering and life changing – it has been for me. It is definitely a win-win situation for the person who is recovering and for everyone around that person who is in recovery. The truth is, people want to learn from someone who has been through it and gotten a new result. Gaining capabilities and modeling people who have already been there, is the fastest way to your end result – and that’s why, I obsess over rising up and delivering professional coaching to you. Easy does it.

My favorite word in Recovery is “hope”. The following is a quote from Emily Dickenson from part of her poem – " “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings a tune without the words - And never stops - at all.” So even though we do not always know the words, as long as we have “hope” - we are moving along, there is a future. I don't care if everybody on the face of this planet doesn't believe in you - I will believe in you. I will help/teach you to believe in yourself. Recovery is possible. One day at a time. You got this - let's go!

As Pitbull sings...."You can knock me down, but you won't knock me out, I love it when they count me out".

As Josh Johnson speaks...."People need to build a path from where they are to where they want to be, and that's really my focus in helping people to do that." 

As Jocko Willink says.... "If you're still breathing, you still got some fight left in you....GET UP, DUST OFF, RELOAD, RECALIBRATE, REENGAGE, and go out on the ATTACK!".