Bamboo can grow 90 feet in just a few weeks—but before that explosive growth happens, it spends years laying unseen roots.

That’s how real transformation works. The most important growth happens beneath the surface—before anyone sees the results.

I know this truth deeply. When I started my PhD as a single mother with a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old, it felt impossible. Their dad lived 10+ hours away, so everything—childcare, studying, survival—fell on my shoulders. And because I don’t do anything halfway, I decided to renovate my entire house at the same time.

• New paint.

• New carpet (bye, original 1908 carpet—GROSS).

• Building a future for myself and my kids.

It was exhausting. It was invisible work. But it was laying the foundation for everything I have now.

Bamboo reminds us: Just because you don’t see results yet doesn’t mean you’re not growing.

If you’re in a season of unseen effort, trust this: Your roots are strengthening. When the time is right, you will rise.

Stress is inevitable. Life will always throw challenges our way. But the real question isn’t how to avoid stress—it’s how to increase our ability to carry it.

I love Mo Gawdat’s analogy: If a ton of weight lands on a pencil, it’s crushed. If it lands on a steel beam, it’s barely affected. The difference isn’t the weight—it’s the strength of what’s carrying it.

Looking back on my own life, I see how I’ve built my capacity for stress—not by avoiding challenges, but by leaning into them.

• Becoming a single mom stretched me in ways I never imagined.

• Moving across the country alone with three kids forced me to trust myself.

• Solo travel taught me that I can handle discomfort and uncertainty.

Stress will always exist. The question is: How strong are you willing to become?

If you’re ready to build resilience, develop self-trust, and expand your ability to handle life’s challenges, let’s talk. My coaching is designed to help you step into your strongest, most aligned self—not by avoiding life’s weight, but by learning how to carry it with strength, clarity, and self-compassion.

It’s a simple choice—do you return your shopping cart or leave it in the parking lot?

There’s no immediate consequence if you walk away. No one will fine you. No one will force you to push it back. And yet, returning the cart is a small but powerful reflection of how we move through life.

Research suggests that small habits—like this one—reveal how we handle responsibility, success, and even financial stability. Because how you do one thing is how you do everything.

Each day, I remind myself: I love what I’ve been given, I’m open to receiving more, and I will take care of what’s in my hands now.

It’s not about the shopping cart. It’s about who you are when no one’s watching.

We convince ourselves that planning is progress.

We make lists, schedule time, research, read, and talk about doing the thing.

But none of that is actually doing the thing.

Chris Williamson’s post hit me hard: “Preparing to do the thing isn’t doing the thing. Reading about the thing isn’t doing the thing. The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.”

I spent a lot of time in 2024 preparing. I built my website, set up my CRM, scheduled photoshoots—but during that time, I wasn’t actually helping anyone.

Now, I’m coaching, launching retreats, and speaking on stages—and that’s where the real impact happens.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment, this is your wake-up call.

The only way forward is to start.

We all set intentions. We say we want change—more purpose, deeper relationships, a life that feels fully aligned. But intention alone isn’t enough. Action is the bridge between intention and transformation.

• Love needs action. Saying “I love you” is easy—showing up, even when it’s hard, is what makes it real.

• Trust needs proof. Words can be reassuring, but trust is built through consistent action over time.

• Sorry needs change. Apologies without changed behavior are just noise.

There’s no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone.

I learned this firsthand through my humanitarian adventures. Traveling to Kenya taught me that true transformation happens not when we think about change, but when we step into it. When we take action—whether in service, relationships, or personal growth—we become the person we were always meant to be.

If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone and experience a transformation of your own, I invite you to join me on my upcoming Kenya retreat.

Because action is the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be.

Most people run from storms. It’s human nature—we avoid discomfort, delay difficult conversations, and put off the things that scare us. But here’s the truth: avoiding the storm doesn’t make it go away—it just keeps you in it longer.

Cows, when faced with a storm, walk away from it—unknowingly prolonging their time in the chaos. Buffalo, on the other hand, charge straight into the storm. They know that by facing it head-on, they’ll get through it faster.

Life is full of storms. The tough conversations. The career leaps. The moments that force us to confront what we’ve been avoiding. The question is: Are you a cow, walking away and making the struggle last longer? Or are you a buffalo, facing it head-on, knowing relief is on the other side?

People ask me all the time, “How have you aged backwards?”

Here’s my secret: I never stop growing.

Repetition limits creativity, excitement, and expansion. When you stop exploring, you stop thriving.

If you want to feel more alive, youthful, and engaged with life, start saying YES to new experiences.

Try something new. Go somewhere different. Meet someone unexpected. Take the leap—and watch the bridge appear.

Stepping outside your everyday life isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about becoming a new version of yourself. Travel stretches you, challenges you, and shifts your perspective in ways nothing else can. And when you combine adventure with deep human connection? That’s when true transformation happens. This June, I’m leading a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Kenya—an immersive experience blending safari, cultural exchange, and self-discovery. If you’re craving clarity, purpose, and expansion, this is your invitation to say yes. The adventure of a lifetime is waiting—are you coming?

I burn. I break. And still, I rise—stronger, brighter, more alive than ever.

I choose to stand in the fire, letting old fears and worn-out patterns crumble to ash. This destruction is not an end—it is a beginning. The ashes of my past will nourish the life I’m meant to live.

Because I am the Phoenix. And this is my time to soar.

AN INVITATION TO REFLECT ON WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP

Have you ever paused to reflect on what truly brings you joy? Creating a Joy List is a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with the moments, experiences, and little things that light up your life. It’s a reminder to seek bliss in the everyday, to savor the things that make your heart smile, and to invite more of what you love into your world. Join me in this journey of self-discovery, and let’s inspire each other to celebrate life’s simple pleasures. What would be on your Joy List? Let’s find out together!

WHAT 200 DAYS OF DUOLINGO TAUGHT ME

Perfection isn’t the goal—showing up is. After 200 days of learning Spanish on Duolingo, I’ve discovered that progress happens in the messiness, not the victories. Whether it’s keeping my streak alive while leading an expedition in Kenya or sharing this journey with my daughter, I’ve learned that consistency and humility are key to growth. Join me as I reflect on the lessons, celebrate milestones, and look ahead to what’s next in this language adventure.

“ONE” CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Discover how a small mistake on Venmo turned into a heartwarming reminder of honesty and kindness. In this story, I reflect on the power of one small action to make a big difference—from an unexpected refund by a stranger to supporting meaningful causes. Read on to learn how you can spread kindness, support others, and join me in making a positive impact on the world.

REFLECTIONS ON MY 2021 KENYAN EXPEDITION

Discover the healing power of service through humanitarian work. Follow my journey from personal hardship to leading life-changing expeditions with CHOICE Humanitarian. Learn how small acts of kindness, intercultural exchange, and community empowerment create lasting impact. Find purpose and transformation through giving back.