Hello

I fell in love with sports and competition back in elementary school when I joined my first softball team. I started out as just an average player on a community squad, but it didn't take long before I was invited to play on some higher-level teams. Sadly, I moved out of to state right before high school and neither my school nor the town had a softball program. I wasn't ready to give up on competition, so I switched gears and became an elite distance runner, hoping my skills would shine in Division I athletics. I did okay, but I definitely didn't meet my high expectations. Luckily, while in college, I discovered coaching. I began with high school athletes and then moved up to coaching Division III college teams and even some elite national athletes in Queensland, Australia. At the same time, I got into competitive road racing, and while I had a few wins, I still didn't quite hit my goals. Through all of this, I realized I wanted to coach and organize athletic events to give everyone a shot at participating, which led me to earn a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Management. While I was studying in Ohio, I kept coaching college athletes and picked up skills in training teachers and coaches, plus boosting organizational effectiveness and satisfaction. Somewhere in there, I took a break to teach and coach in Rabat, Morocco. ​

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After several years in academia, I realized my favorite aspect of the job was the personal interactions with students; a stark contrast to the general expectation to publish research. My teaching and coaching experiences highlighted the significance of supporting students and athletes through personal challenges leading to optimal performance. This insight inspired me to pursue a Master's in Counseling Psychology. During this time, I became a college volleyball fan and was deeply affected by the loss of an athlete from my hometown team. This tragedy, the second athlete identity crisis that struck me in nearly 30 years in the field, led me to focus on the mental health challenges faced by college athletes, who often feel isolated despite their achievements. It became apparent to me that there was a shortage of resources aimed at athletes and identity formation. I also recognized the importance of helping athletes understand their true selves during competitive transitions. This realization motivated me to prioritize the mental wellness of everyone involved in athletics; including athletes, coaches, trainers, administrators and families. I am now pursuing my lifelong dream of establishing a center dedicated to enhancing effectiveness and satisfaction through coaching, consulting and counseling; extending my passion to executive leaders and teams. I look forward to collaborating with you to help you achieve your dreams.

 

On a personal note I am an enthusiastic traveler and adventurer. I spent two years exploring the country in an RV attempting to visit all the National Parks—I've seen 52 so far and plan to visit the remaining 11 soon. My favorite activities include reading, running, cycling and hiking. My most significant physical and emotional achievement to date is walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in the summer of 2024; a truly life-changing experience! I plan to incorporate everything I learned on the Camino into my work and look forward to offering Camino Coaching and Therapy Pilgrimages in the future. I hope to see you there—Buen Camino!

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