After retiring from a 27-year career in city government—most of it as an HR Manager—I knew I still had more to give.
For years, I was the person people relied on during difficult moments.
The strong one.
The steady one.
But over time, something shifted.
I found myself replaying conversations, second-guessing myself, and carrying emotional weight I couldn’t seem to put down.
Eventually, I realized I had lost connection with myself.
That awareness changed everything.
how i got here
Most people celebrate retirement… I went straight back into my head.
For years, I helped others navigate difficult moments while quietly struggling inside my own thoughts.
Even when life looked fine on the outside, internally I felt exhausted, disconnected, and stuck in patterns I couldn’t seem to break.
Eventually, I retired early.
I Was the Strong One Until I Wasn't
My Story: From HR to Life Coach
I pulled away from people.
And I isolated more.
Even surrounded by people who loved me, I felt alone.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how much fear, overthinking, and old internal stories were shaping the way I experienced my life. My identity was my career-and that was over.
I didn't know who I was. There were many ways I tried to avoid looking more deeply into what was keeping me stuck. But I wasn't ready until I was. The best thing I did was pause long enough to sit with it. It took about two and a half years to feel like I was on the right path.
Instead of feeling free, I felt emotionally lost.
I wanted collaboration and support and started working with a coach. Not advice or theory, but a place I could learn and trust vulnerability. It is still my toughest block, but I know more now.
I learned how to recognize the thoughts and patterns keeping me stuck—and slowly, I started reconnecting with myself again.
Now, this is the work I do with others.
Because I know what it feels like to lose yourself inside fear, overthinking, and emotional exhaustion.
And I also know what’s possible when you stop carrying it alone.
I was a caregiver once. And I can relate to what you are going through.
giving back
Caregivers often carry an enormous emotional load, and it can feel difficult to admit when you’re overwhelmed — especially when the person you’re caring for is the one most in need.
Each year, I volunteer a portion of my coaching hours to support caregivers. I offer these hours because giving back matters to me, and I’ve learned that being with people in these moments is healing for both of us.
If you're a caregiver and would like support, you're welcome to reach out. I'd be honored to connect.
City of West Hollywood (20 years in leadership, majority as HR Manager)
27 Years in Public Service
University of Redlands
BA in Business Administration & Management
Martha Beck Inc., Level 2, ICF-accredited (225+ hours based on ICF Core Competencies & Ethics)
Wayfinder Life Coach Certification
Twenty-seven years of sitting with people in their hardest moments taught me how to listen beneath the surface, ask powerful questions, and help people move through difficult times with honesty and clarity.
Add professional coach training to that, and you get someone who knows how to hold space for the truth, and help you move through it.
My years in HR weren’t about policies, they were about people.
I saw how fear, stress, criticism, and uncertainty shape the way people think, react, and move through life.
Over time, I became deeply curious about the stories people carry—and how those stories quietly influence relationships, decisions, confidence, and change.