Over a period of seven years, I found myself facing a difficult situation. As a female vice president of a growing construction company and a mother of active boys turning into young men, I felt burned out, stressed, and constantly tired. I was always on the go. I wasn’t eating properly. I suffered anxiety and the pressure of expectations of helping to support everyone’s ambitions, as well as spending much-needed quality time with my beautiful husband, Brad. I felt guilty if I ever took some time for my self-care to recharge, and that blame intensified even more – into feeling stressed and run down. I attempted various adjustments to my routine and exercise to help make some lasting changes, yet admittedly, I wasn’t consistent with those adjustments. I felt discouraged because I told myself I was supposed to know what I needed to do. Yet, we know that doesn’t always mean we implement or act on what we should. I knew I needed help to make things stick.
For context, in my mid-twenties, after leaving a toxic marriage, I began an expedition of personal development. I invested in my health and wellness by learning to become a coach for myself and others. I started a journey to discover what living “on purpose” meant. I acquired skills and tools like Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) – exposed initially during an Anthony Robbins event in 1993 and how that skill helped people overcome phobias, allergies, fears, and the limiting beliefs created about the world they lived in (the world inside their head; you know, those stories we tell ourselves?). I became an NLP practitioner in 1996 while simultaneously becoming a fitness and nutrition coach. I also took additional courses in natural health applications because alternative healing methods always fascinated me – our body’s ability to adapt, heal, and rejuvenate is amazing and offers us a message we can all listen to and experience true health. Then my life changed.
Within that exciting year of education, personal growth, and entrepreneurship, I became pregnant with my twin boys. I panicked. I felt I needed to switch gears and thought real estate or a corporate career would give me the stability I needed to raise my kids and acquire more financial security in a home and second marriage that was rocky. By the time I turned 33, with two little boys and another failed marriage, I felt I couldn’t get my head above water. I was in survival mode, identifying as a single mother, week-on-week-off, working outrageously long and grueling hours when I was without the kids. I held corporate jobs in finance, investment, and securities, and I became a real estate agent as well; I did whatever it took to ensure plenty was on my kids’ table. I acquired that philosophy from my mom.
We all learn from our parents. My single mother taught me to work hard and not rely on anyone else – said with resentment towards my Dad, who left us after I turned nine. Amazingly, I grew up believing that hard work always paid off and that I could do/be anything. I became resourceful and practically raised myself as my mom relied on drowning her sorrows in a 40oz bottle every other day. Everything happens as it should; I have learned to trust the process. It all seems like a lifetime ago, and the lessons learned along the way have been invaluable.
Today, I have almost 20 years’ experience of real estate transactions and land development contracts, with 15 of those years as a female executive in a corporate career for a growing construction company. In that career, this small-town girl found herself helping cultivate the culture of family closeness and camaraderie, something I hadn’t known growing up. The culture matched the President’s down-to-earth jovial persona – always positive while demonstrating understanding and genuine humility. I was proud to stand and support the company’s growth. I was fully engaged and committed. It was the best job, with wonderful people I consider a part of my family to this day while helping the company achieve exponential growth over those 16 years. Yet, through the success, I didn’t realize I was losing myself. My health was the first to show me, just as most women find out this way. I was angry with myself because I felt I should’ve known better, considering my previous health education. I was full of self-blame and disappointment.
My breakthrough came during the first year of the pandemic. That’s when I took a leap of faith and hired my first coach. I was immersed in upskilling for organizational change management and dived deep into my own personal development once again, especially since Tony Robbins had gone virtual! So, through Robbins Research, I hired a Results Coach who helped me gain clarity in my life and gave me the support and accountability needed to push through my barriers and, ultimately, save my health. This led me through a healing journey while becoming dual-certified as a life and health coach. A journey that first began in 1995 had come full circle! I learned and developed transformative lifestyle habits, shifted my mindset, and began to transform my life, step by step, healing myself from the inside out with the help of a health coach. Being on this path again – reunited with my life’s passion, I was truly on fire. I also found a ripple effect happening during my health transformation. From my closest friends and family to my co-workers, my life and the lives of those who surrounded me changed exponentially. When we heal ourselves, we heal those around us. By the end of 2021, I discovered my deep passion for serving other women on their health and healing journeys. We are all in this together, and we can heal together too!
As life happens for us, Brad, my true-life partner for almost 20 years now, had a career opportunity in another province in 2022, and I felt it was time to pass over the torch of my corporate career. I had stepped into my life’s purpose again. I am now living “on purpose.” As my husband says, I am “living on 10” – living life to its fullest, giving each day a 10 out of 10, and continually investing in myself and my clients.
Now I am a transformational Health and Life Coach. I serve female executives, business owners, and entrepreneurs – those who do everything for everyone – those who risk losing themselves in the process. I help these high-achieving women learn transformational habits around prioritizing themselves so they may continue thriving at home and in the office.
We all deserve to be who and what we are born to be, so let me be your guide and discover new possibilities, so you can transform your life and live on purpose, with passion, too.
With love and care.
J
