Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life? 

Where do I begin?! Yes, my childhood was definitely a precursor to what I live and breathe now. It was riddled with divorce, domestic violence, bullying, financial hardship and victimship. As I was bravely facing each day, there was a big part of me saying “there’s GOT to be a better way!” That declaration led me to move out of my turbulent household at 14 years old, excel in school as a straight A student, start college at 16 years old, and study the greats on personal development, spirituality and transformation while living my motto “never give up”. I moved from my birth place in Houston, TX to over 10+ homes before the age of 20 (including moving to Arkansas back to Houston and then off to Ohio, Atlanta, Chicago and then back to Houston. Fun fact…my family and I made the next brave move to Los Angeles, CA in 2019. Another amazing adventure!)

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

That control is an illusion, perfectionism is unattainable, and my life is about the ebb and flow of light and dark while bravely facing myself. With this, I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself, taken life so seriously, and had more faith in GUS (God, Universe, Source)!

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

“Just let it go” and “think positive”. I feel like this is a surface answer that might help in the nanoseconds, yet not permanently. What I find is that so many of us have suppressed emotions, traumas, and shame, that this band-aid works for a split-second, and then the unfulfilling, sabotaging patterns return. Until we do the inner emotional work, our egoic self hijacks our momentum and keeps us playing small. We end up with so much unrealized potential… And THAT saddens me! 

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

Beyond the many dark moments of my childhood (like watching my mother be physically abused for 5 years and being homeless in my early 20s with the oh-so-fun couch-hopping experience), one of the most recent periods was when I hit a spiritual roadblock at the end of 2018. It’s what I call my “spiritual breakthrough”. In short, my internal world (versus my external) crumbled. I had reached my limit of trying to control everything around me and realized that I no longer could stay in the soul-sucking hustle that I was in. I could no longer ignore the truths that were trying so hard to emerge. I could no longer ignore my higher self.  

What I believe is that we have two primary voices going on, and the majority of the time, our ego is in the driver’s seat (not our higher self). It’s the ego voice that seemingly moves us to great heights, yet also creates our biggest downfalls. So I surrendered. Literally. I stopped marketing my business, pushing through deadlines, worrying about money, worrying about my teenage daughter who was having a hard time…I just stopped and dropped. I started meditating and journaling every morning. It was all I could do to allow the universe (or GUS) to handle it. Who was I to make it all happen?!?

Ultimately, the practice of meditation and surrender changed my life (I started hearing my higher self speak and discerning between the two voices). 

I started saying no to the things that no longer were aligned and yes to what I REALLY wanted. I said goodbye to business partnerships, moved across the country, changed my business from being a brand and business strategist to my ultimate calling as a transformational mentor and speaker, and let go of some co-dependent relationships. It was the biggest year of emotional divorcing that I had ever gone through. I am still unfolding the magic and miracles as we speak!

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

Number one life-altering behavior…taking personal responsibility and ownership of all my choices and experiences (even the hardships). Also, releasing the shame around those things I am less than proud of while embracing forgiveness and recognizing that all things are a result of my choices, intentions, and chosen perspective. I say…choose your outlook, perspective, and beliefs wisely!

What is your morning routine?

I used to wake up at 7 am and start scrolling that social before getting dressed and hitting the computer! Now, I’m teaching myself a new skill in the morning. I get up at 5:45 am Monday through Friday to practice day trading in the stock market (the bell rings at 6:30PST)! 

Who would have thought, right?! 

It’s actually ironic how much of this skill is more about emotional conditioning and mastery (my expertise) than the technical analysis or numbers. I love it! 

Afterward, I meditate, journal, and usually exercise (I have also picked up beach volleyball as a new hobby…love that too! The ocean is my happy place and volleyball was my game in college/high school).

For me, it’s important to sleep well and set up my day with a focus on self before everyone else’s agendas become mine.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

Definitely mediation. I used to be the one that said “I don’t have time” or “My mind is too busy and I can’t shut it off” so I would avoid it.

Now it’s how I calm my anxieties and stress, find my center and hear the truth. We have so much of the answers we seek if we would just be quiet enough to hear them and feel into the right next move.

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

With me being in the area of high-performance mentoring with a focus on emotional mastery, I’m reminded daily that clarity is a priority (hence the meditation and emotional release work), and intention is necessary if you want to know what direction you’re going. I do this daily by journaling. 

Then, my Google Calendar is my best friend. I schedule blocks of time to fulfill my client work and speaking engagements as well as complete projects. It also helps me minimize distractions by knowing what I have to work on next to move the dial towards my future self!

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

One of the first books I read at 19 years old that spearheaded my journey into spirituality and personal growth was A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson. Her words opened up my heart and mind to a world outside of my chaotic reality. I was able to witness how the egoic self (fear) separates us from our true self (love) and in doing so, I began my life-long journey of raising my consciousness and returning to love. Oh and another book that was also impactful in my “wake-up call” was The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. So good! (Side note…I probably have over 200 non-fiction, personal development books for health, wealth, spirit, and business on my shelf. I never stop learning!)

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” by Marianne Williamson. Like I said, she has influenced my life since the start and I will never forget this quote!