Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver

Welcome!

I often think about this question posed by the marvelous Mary Oliver. My own answer to this question has been to find my way back to myself and to create a life that feels like home, and to help others do the same.

I was born into a family, culture, and religious tradition where I simply don’t make sense. Nature feels truer to me than religion. I am queer. I prefer solitude and contemplation. I am fascinated by every religious and spiritual tradition I’ve encountered and they’ve all seemed far more similar than different to me. When I was very young, I told my mom that when I grew up I wanted to go with people to the ocean so they could talk about their problems and feel better. She gently told me that people don’t talk to strangers about their feelings, they talk to their family or their church.

It’s important to note, my mom loved me very much. I also grew up with a very loving extended family. And a loving neighborhood. The real issue was that the people around me only loved the parts of me that thrived in and served the purposes of our culture well; my compassion, my sunny outlook, my joyful service. So, I learned to over-build those muscles. I internalized the acceptable scripts. And the perfectly beautiful parts of myself that were labeled sinful or selfish were exiled into a forest of shame at the perimeters of my heart. There they would weep painfully when I saw them reflected in the outside world. I doubled and tripled down on suppressing who I am for years until my heart burst when I was in my late 20s. Since then, I have been finding my way back to myself as compassionately and courageously as possible. This journey has often been a messy, terrifying disaster but well worth it to me. Today, my life looks more like who I am than it ever has and I am at home with myself once more.

I have indeed learned how to talk to people about their problems and help them feel better. I began training as a Life Coach in 2010. Over the years, I have completed several coaching programs and certifications while refining my own coaching style.

In 2019, I found my coaching home while completing the Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach Training. I became a Certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Coach in February 2021. I then completed Wayfinder Master Coach Training and became a Certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach in January 2022.

One of my own “wildly audacious dreams” was to become an instructor for Wayfinder Life Coach Training, which came true in 2022 when I was hired to do just that. I absolutely love it! Teaching the Wayfinder Coaching tools, frameworks, and concepts is more amazing and rewarding than I even imagined it would be. I also love working on our magical MBI team as the Administrative Coordinator.

In 2023, a deep wish to incorporate horses into my coaching came true when I began training with The Center for Equus Coaching and became a certified Equus Coach. Working with horses is truly my happy place!

I had one more deep and lingering dream in my heart to become a licensed therapist and offer therapy as part of my practice. There were so many fears and limiting beliefs to work through. I’m in my 50s with an amazing career I love, why go back to grad school?? Homework? Tuition? What if I can’t keep up? Why? Because my internal compasses are always guiding me in the direction of what is truest for me. When I get very quiet with myself, becoming a therapist is a resounding yes. As soon as I started taking steps, the magic started happening. I’m thrilled to be a student in the University of Utah Master of Social Work program and to have found an incredible agency to intern with that is a beautiful match. And horses? Of course there are horses! Partnering with EAGALA Specialist, Angie Smith, on her beautiful ranch for therapy sessions is a dream come true.

After so many years on my own journey and over a decade of coaching, here’s what I know to be true; you have your own wisdom and your own answers for your life within you. Sometimes you have to navigate a shame forest at the perimeter of your heart to find them, but they are there waiting to bring the insight and the healing you need to be the whole, unique, glorious light you were born to be. Is this an instant and painless journey? Not in my experience. But you are worth it. You can do this. And I’d bet there is more peace, joy, support, and freedom along the way than you would expect.

As a coach and MSW intern, I am passionate about helping others find their way forward to a personal version of a beautiful and meaningful life. I invite you to explore my website to find out more about me, my coaching, and if you live in Utah, therapy. I wish you peace, joy, clarity, courage, and love on your journey through your “one wild and precious life.”