Me Only Better
I'm deeply passionate about helping people navigate life's challenges with a positive mindset, even during the toughest times. The most significant transformation in my journey has been choosing to live alcohol-free, which has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. It has empowered me to maintain a calm and centered perspective, proving invaluable in my personal family life and in coaching others to live with clarity and confidence.
With a background of 25 years in personal growth and development, including my previous career as a teacher and my role as a mom, I've honed my skills and insights.
Being born into a family with four teenagers exposed me to different perspectives and experiences, teaching me the importance of listening and observing from a young age. I believe this has contributed to my ability to connect with and understand others on a deep level, making me an effective and empathetic life coach.
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My educational background includes earning a Master's degree at Boston College following my undergraduate studies at Skidmore College. I pursued my master's degree with the motivation to learn more about special needs and make a difference in the lives of misunderstood and neglected children. My lifelong dream of becoming a teacher led me to Skidmore College, and it was in Boston during my time at BC, where I met my husband.
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I am continually evolving and expanding my knowledge and skills. This commitment to personal growth is evident in my completion of continuous coaching education and certifications, first in health and wellness, then in life coaching, and finally culminating in specialized alcohol-free training. When I flipped the switch on alcohol’s importance in my life and that there was none,
I felt compelled to guide others to this freedom, too.
Whether you seek support in life or living alcohol-free, I look forward to connecting and exploring the possibilities of our partnership. My sister, who has since passed away, offered sage advice: prioritize the relationship above all else, as it serves as the cornerstone for personal growth and meaningful connections.
My journey to Living Alcohol-Free
My Story
As I celebrate turning 50 this year, I’m reflecting on a decade of growth, both in my personal wellness journey and in refining my skills as a coach. It’s been a chapter full of transformation, discovery, and a deep commitment to helping others do the same.
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It all started when I was 40 and joined my first Whole Life Challenge. One of the options was to go alcohol-free. I remember thinking, Why would someone do that? I had already transformed my body after having my first child, and giving up alcohol felt unnecessary, even extreme. But looking back, I now see that was when the first seed was planted — the quiet curiosity about my relationship with alcohol.
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Throughout my 40s, I kept trying to make alcohol “fit” into my life. Over time, though, it began taking up too much space mentally, emotionally, and physically. Hangxiety (that anxious feeling after drinking) became louder, though I didn’t know it had a name back then. My tolerance was high, and I was constantly trying to “slow the mo” (slow the momentum). There were fun moments and even a pandemic in the mix, but underneath it all, I was caught in a cycle of trying to prove to myself that moderation was the goal, when in reality, LAF (Live Alcohol-Free) is so much better and easier.
What I now understand as cognitive dissonance and decision fatigue was quietly wearing me out.
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Everything shifted on July 7, 2022, when I received a nudge from my sister in heaven. The very next day, I started researching what felt right for me and landed on Annie Grace’s 30-Day Alcohol-Free Experiment. As a coach who loves journaling and challenges, it was the perfect fit. What made this challenge different was I wasn't going to end it with a celebratory drink.
This time I asked myself the right questions: Does alcohol serve me? and Why would I bring it back now?
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A pivotal moment came when I committed to one year alcohol-free — for all the reasons and all the seasons. That decision gave me a sense of peace and freedom I hadn’t known before.
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Another turning point was when I realized I didn’t just want this change for myself — I wanted to help others experience it too. That’s when I made the choice to pivot my coaching practice and support clients on their own alcohol-free journeys.
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On April 2, 2025, I celebrated joining the Comma Club — 1,000 days LAF, woot woot!
Every step has been so worth it.
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Along the way, I deepened my training. My professional journey began with Andy Ramage, founder of the Dryy app, whose positive and motivational approach spoke right to my heart. I later became certified with This Naked Mind, where I expanded my understanding of the psychological and behavioral layers of change. Most recently, I trained with Jolene Park, a pioneer in gray area drinking and nervous system. Her work felt like the final puzzle piece, helping me guide clients through both the emotional and physiological sides of change. These trainings didn’t just transform my own life, they’ve become the foundation of how I support others.
Whether we’re talking about alcohol, stress, boundaries, or life transitions, it’s all life — and that’s where my coaching shines. I meet people where they are and help them create sustainable, meaningful change across every part of their lives.
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Even if it feels impossible, I promise you it can be done. My motivation was simple: I wanted to wake up with crystal clear clarity every day. And now I do. I’m at peace, fully aligned, and embracing life alcohol-free, both personally and professionally. Supporting others to LAF feels like absolute kismet.
Get Real Outcomes
My go-tos and random facts:
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I get lots of love, daily walks and so much joy with our first dog!
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Exercise, sports and movement are critical to my overall happiness and well-being.
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I was so happy when my mom said that I could have the pillow my dad gave her years ago that says "happiness is being married to your best friend".
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I was Gadget Girl for a long time…after a lot of trial & error and I’m down to an Oura ring.
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I have 5 piercings in my left ear and only 1 in my right.
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A few examples of things that uplift me are laughing with my kids, date nights, couch time with our pup, flip flops & my heated vest.
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I love my birthday and celebrating holidays, my favorite is Halloween!
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I’ve lived in the Boston area for now more than half my life! but my Midwestern roots are strong and deep...funny story, was in a Boston taxi heading back home from the airport (this is before Uber ;) Cabbie asked me where I was from, I answered as always “the Chicago area” - Cabbie “how long have you been here?” My answer “hmmm…since 1999”…Ma’am, sounds to me like you’re from here, no?” We laughed!​
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As I reflect on my physical and mental transformations. A few things stand out to me:
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I live with intention based on reflection and action.
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I have systems and routines that work for me and my own progress.
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When it comes to conflict I put the relationship first and then work on having the issues resolved.
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I find a little something that will uplift me or bring me joy everyday even when things are difficult.
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I figure out what is not working, not aligning and make the effort on changing it whether on my own, with hired help or leaning on loved ones.
Life is a gift.
I feel that everyday especially after losing my sister Carol to cancer.
February 9, 2021 heaven received a beautiful person. There is comfort knowing that Carol is with my dad and her battle is over. When she was at the end she was at Peace because of her strong faith. Something I’ll always admire.
My hole is mending. I miss her and my dad every day. I lean into our special relationships and find symbols around that I treasure. My new love of birds is a funny story and the color yellow connects me with Carol in a happy way.
My dad was skiing our favorite mountain in Colorado, Snowmass, when he died. He had an aortic aneurysm at age 72, I was 30, married with a baby. We were very close, and my world as I knew it changed forever. He taught me PMA ( Positive Mental Attitude). He was an accomplished self-made man whose impact on this world is truly awesome. So much so, that my kids and friends who never met him in person feel close to him from all of the stories and the positive changes he made for many people’s lives. To me and our family, he was Dad, Grandpa, and best friend to my mom for over 50 years.
Youngest, only, and oldest
My parents had 4 teenagers and then got pregnant with me. My kids are both teenagers and my youngest is 14, the age my nearest in years sister was when my mom had me. Imagine that! Your oldest kid going off to college and pregnant?!? Thinking you were going to be empty nesters in a few years and then a little one was on her way. Thank you mom, dad and siblings! for welcoming me with love and gratitude. It was the 70s and teenage angst was at peak levels, a little baby brought peace and joy I was told often, that is a gift I gave to my family and one I treasure near and dear to my heart.
I was like the youngest, only and oldest child all at once and I wouldn’t change that for the world, it was my normal. I’m closer in age to my nephew than I am to my sister, I’m the “generation bridge”. Fun fact! My husband is also the 5th out of 5 so together we have lots of nieces and nephews. They named our home “the youth hostel” because at one point we had 3 of them living with us.
The “squad”
The apples don’t fall too far from the tree! It’s unreal at times that they are both now high school but that thought doesn’t last long. It’s an awesome stage of life. I’m grateful for our close relationships and the foundation we have built raising them. We definitely beat to our own drum and support each other with all that goes on. Kids consider each other their best friend and so do my husband and I. Love how that grew organically…maybe it will happen with our indoor cat and puppy for now not so much (picture animal kingdom v Instagram cuddle pics :)
Teaching & Pregnancy
During my early 20s I struggled to get into a healthy routine. I loved teaching and thought it was my calling though I never found the time to workout consistently and cooking healthy meals seemed like a distant world.
In the first year or so of our marriage hormonal imbalances were discovered as well as fertility issues. Things I had never heard of. The focus of my attention then shifted to how I could have children while teaching 4th grade, specializing in children with behavioral special needs. Stress was pretty high and I didn’t really have good self-care practices in place back then.
At one time I was told I would never be able to have any children. I didn’t let that Doctor’s opinion have the last say. She literally told me with my situation, childbirth is not possible. I was determined to do everything I could. It was exhausting and trying. Embracing adoption was a possibility down the road, but I felt there was a lot more to try first. We found a wonderful Doctor who had PMA, “you’ll be a great case study, and I have no reason to believe you can’t get pregnant.” He introduced me to acupuncture and the Mind and Body Institute. Success!
My wellness journey begins
I struggled with infertility and health issues for years. There were so many ups and downs. It was a very challenging time emotionally, mentally and physically. The classes and support group at the Mind and Body Institute were a major part of my sanity during that time and I came through much better equipped than when I started with skills and practices that are a major part of my life now. I learned about meditation, mindfulness, having faith when things are hard, and most importantly how my husband and I navigate the world when faced with an emotional challenge. Part of the course was to attend a couples yoga class on an October Sunday back in 2001 when the Boston Red Sox were in the playoffs and it was the Patriots season opener. No cell phones allowed…there were a few eye rolls, giggles like we were in church, and a glance at a phone for the score, but he was right by my side as he always is, doing the work together and finding lightness along the way (needless to say he hasn’t been back to a yoga class since).
After I had my son I circled back to my doctor to see about losing weight and take steps to balance my hormones. She recommended a nutritionist who worked with me on a targeted diet to support my PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - which I no longer have, but at the time it did wonders. That diet tipped the scales literally and symbolically. This was before Google! It was eye-opening and began my interest in nutrition.