As I sit with the accomplishment of receiving my Trauma-Informed Practitioner Certification, I notice tears welling behind my eyes and full-body tingles radiating from my core to my limbs. I feel proud. And eager to weave the medicine of somatics and nervous system regulation into my practice. Throughout my three month long training, I realized that a number of the ways I’ve been taught to coach are directly at odds with trauma-informed care. It was tough to reconcile, but on the other side, I’ve unlearned and let go of so much. The old ways are composting into something new—new ways that will seed growth and transformation with exponentially more love...
Butterflies & Spirit Whispers: How I’m Using Travel & Relationship for Growth
On Saturday, I was biking to the Chedraui when I saw a giant butterfly trembling in the street. I pulled over to scoop up paper wings in my palms. I knew death was near and I couldn’t bear for this magnificent creature to be torn to shreds by the bustle of life. I carried her to the forest, where I laid her to rest and thanked her for blessing the world with beauty, if only for a little while. The next morning, I saw the same kind of butterfly, not once, but twice, on my ride to the playa. Giant wings shimmered iridescent blue and brown as they floated, very much...
The Three Gods
One sunny morning in Canggu when Mark and I were waiting for his surf instructor, a Balinese woman appeared in the open space next to us and began blessing her storefront with the day’s offerings. She laid out colorful woven baskets, filled with flowers, incense, and bits of rice. Curls of smoke danced through the air and tickled our noses. As she bowed her head in silence, I wondered what she was praying about. When she opened her eyes, she dipped a small bristled brush in holy water and sprinkled each offering three times. Mark turned to me and said: “She does it in threes. Once for each of...
On Becoming Her
Towards the end of my trip, I was walking to the Green Window for breakfast when a little Balinese man slowed his motorbike and came to a full stop in front of me. He greeted me warmly, like we were old friends. He said: “You love your life. You love your life so much. I see it here.” {Pointing to my third eye}. “You are wide open. Your heart is wide, wide open.” Taken aback by his astute reflection, goosebumps prickled on my skin. Why, yes. I did love my life.And my heart was more open than the sky. If only my new friend could see me two weeks later—home...
Bali Silent Retreat
Mist hangs above the jungle in delicate swathes of silver. Beyond my narrow, single bed and the mesh canopy that fans around it, darkness is beginning to fill the cracks between the trees. The jungle and its night time noises grow louder. And I—I grow lonelier. I’ve spent two days with a group of people I do not know, and can not. We share space, hovering like ghosts at meal times, sitting in circle for meditation, resting soundlessly on cushions and couches that scatter the second floor lounge. We’re here, but we’re not. We’re not here for each other. We’re here for ourselves. Typically, this would be a dream for...
Create A New Reality With This New Year’s Ritual
So I have this ritual. Every New Year’s Eve and Day, I create an experience that will support me to embody the feelings and energy equivalent to what I want to experience in the year ahead. It struck me that this year is special. Not only will 2020 bring a new year, but also: A NEW DECADE! Which means, we can harness the power and possibility for the NEW DECADE by creating an equal experience in 2020. This is big, friends! How will I play? Here are some of the ways: I will spend New Year’s Eve on a plane, flying to California. I will spend New Year’s Day at the Rose...
The Secret to Profound Transformation
How do I stop myself from experiencing what I want most {love & freedom}? 1.) Obsession. Whether it’s love addiction, heartbreak, or a thrilling new project, I let obsession hijack my focus and drain my well-being. As a result, I tend to experience love OR freedom, but not both. 2.) Projecting fear {based on the past} into the future. I then proceed to live from THERE instead of from HERE, in an ever-expanding partnership with what’s possible. I shrink my world as opposed to open it up. Fear, uncertainty, and what’s predictable are the crayons I color with. 3.) Getting too attached to a specific RESULT and too rigid with...
Do This One Thing And Your Life WILL Change
When I was in fifth grade, I decided to play the flute. The first “composures” I learned were not composures at all. Rather, they were half notes and whole notes, sometimes strung together to form a tune. Next, it was the scales. Oh god—the scales. As I grew into middle school and private lessons, it was all about the scales. Up and down, my fingers flew. Memorizing this one and that one and this one again. In sixth grade, I advanced to second chair and soon after that, I passed an audition to play in the Worcester Youth Orchestra, practicing Tchaikovsky and Bach for the stage at Christmas. In seventh...
What Are You Committed To?
Here’s what I’m committed to right now: Waking up by 7:30am.Meditating.Journaling on possibility. Starting work by 9:30am.Writing.Sharing my writing.Inviting all kinds of people to connect.Inviting people who inspire me into coaching conversations.Inviting people I vibe with to work with me.Astonishing my Clients. Doing my own inner work. Going to the gym. Tracking money.Paying for things in cash. Reading.Going to bed by 11pm. Notice: Everything on this list—it’s inside of my control. Too often, we attach our sense of accomplishment to results we have no control over. Then, when the results do not occur, we feel we failed and hopelessness replaces happiness, worthlessness shatters confidence, and fun fades to frustration. We...
The Best Two Investments to Fill Your Coaching Practice
Last month, I accomplished something BIG. And I didn’t share it. I intended to. Especially when it happened; when I was bursting at the seams with excitement. But then, like it tends to, the thrill of accomplishment faded and I had nothing left to fuel my words. I was also scared to share a win that might make you feel uncomfortable. But now, I want to share it {PROUDLY} because if I can do it, so can you. Last month, I officially filled my coaching practice! I booked an additional $22K in services in three weeks {a record for me} and I’ve had to start a waiting list! I’ve been...