A Little About Me...
Hey, folks, great to see you here! After a career in the military, I knew it was time to shift gears, trade in those combat boots, and embrace a new adventure.
As a lifelong PhD candidate in the Art of Human Potential, I’ve learned a thing or two in life, and it's high time I put that knowledge to good use. Repurposing my leadership and mentorship expertise for all you fine folks lookin' to find your best life!
I see life as a canvas and we're all artists painting our own stories. And me, well, I'm a lifelong artist of many mediums who's turned her journey into an art form, and now I'm all about helping YOU find your best life!
As a personal growth mentor, I see each of us as a unique masterpiece, constantly evolving and growing. Embracing individuality, learning from the missteps, and seizing those moments of triumph – that's what it's all about!
Together, we'll have collaborative mentor sessions and dive deep. I will be both a confidant, a cheerleader, and forthright where needed while guiding you toward finding balance, harmony, clarity, and true connections in your life and relationships. By the time we're done, you'll be inspired, motivated, and ready to embrace change, growth, and self-discovery on this journey of becoming your own true masterpiece in progress.
So, come on, join me on this ride, and let's create something extraordinary together! Whether it's chasing dreams or finding inner peace, I've got your back. And remember, it's all about living life, full-tilt, no half-measures!
1969, YEA...NOT SO MUCH...1970 - I DELAYED MY ARRIVAL FOR MAXIMUM DRAMATIC EFFECT
Can you believe it? I was a whole month late! The doctor said I'd come out when I was good and ready, and let me tell you, I was just too cozy in there.
My journey began in Charleston, N.C., alongside my mother, and later on, my sister joined the party. Life wasn't always smooth sailin'. We faced challenges and kept on movin', but it was all part of the ride. Her love and the love of her tribe is what shaped me into the woman I am today. They showed me the strength of family, the power of resilience, and how to embrace life's curveballs with a grin and a twinkle in your eye.
1989
So, there I was, university was not in the cards for me, so life took me down a different path. I became the first female in the family to enlist in the military, carrying on a legacy that dates back to the French and Indian War.
After basic and initial training things got really exciting really fast! I hopped on a military transport and headed straight to Panama during the Panama (Noriega) Invasion! But I have to tell you it was all worth it. Serving my country, and being part of something bigger than myself, that's an experience like no other.
2001
After what felt like a whole bunch of years and some interesting detours, I finally made it - I graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU)!
I mean seriously, how I even got into university is a mystery to me. I had been out of school for seven whole years when I applied. The ACT test scared the living daylights out of me. I never tested well, and I didn't have enough time to study so I took it cold or not at all. And guess what? I got a 26 on that test. Not too shabby, right? Given my academic track record, which was sub-par, that was actually an acceptable score.
Never underestimate the power of a random dare, and never be afraid to take chances, my friends. Life's full of surprises, and sometimes, it's the unexpected risks that lead us to incredible opportunities.
2004
Ok, proud moment coming at you! I was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force! That was a milestone right there. I became the first college graduate and commissioned officer in my family. I was breaking new ground and forging my own path.
Honestly, though, that achievement brought a mix of emotions. I felt like a rockstar, but then came the imposter syndrome, creeping in like a squatter staking their claim. Oh, it can mess with your head, make you doubt yourself. But I wasn't going to let that imposter syndrome take the wheel. So, my Imposter and me, we had a little chat. We came to a mutual understanding - fake it till I make it. Sometimes you gotta act like you belong, even when you're not sure, becauselong the way you learn a heck of a lot and become who you're meant to be.
Life's about making strides, pushing boundaries, and proving to yourself that you've got what it takes.
2014
My time at Joint Base Andrews was a game-changer! As an Air Reserve Technician and Executive Officer, I was shaking and moving i I was in the zone. It was a turning point for me, a moment when everything seemed to align. I had experienced an unexpected career change, but I had regained my confidence, and I was really hitting my stride and thriving in my element.
2020
This was a year of big decisions and life shifts. What started as a four-year enlistment turned into a full-on military career. I had the privilege of serving under some phenomenal leaders, no doubt about it. But let's keep it real here - not everyone can be phenomenal, and I encountered my fair share of the not-so-great ones too.
During those years from 2016 to 2020, I began to notice something within myself - subtle cracks in my armor were surfacing. I had been denying both childhood and military trauma for far too long, and those cracks were turning into fissures that demanded my attention.
I had told myself that once I had twenty years of service, I'd stick around as long as I was still enjoying the ride. The enjoyment was gone, and I knew it was time for a change.So, with a heavy heart, I made the decision to retire - from both military and civil service. It was a bittersweet moment, saying goodbye to a chapter of my life that had shaped me in so many ways.
Sometimes we have to let go of one thing to make room for something better. It was time for me to prioritize my well-being, to heal those old - and new - wounds , and to embrace a new path forward.
1988
Despite Phonological Dyslexia, ADHD, and attending 21 different schools, I managed to graduate high school - barely.
My focus was squarely elsewhere, and not on the books. Aside from moving, I played golf and was captivated by drafting. I tickled the ivories on the piano, played viola, gave the French horn a go, and even blew some tunes on the trombone. Art, music, and golf were my escape, my passions, and they gave me the focus I needed to stay (sort of) on track and out of trouble.
Oh, and my baby brother entered the world...whoops, another curve ball!
1994
After my time on active duty, I found myself back in Louisiana. And that spirit of service never left me. So, I kept on with the Louisiana Army National Guard, staying true to my roots.
Now, originally, I was all set to head back to the drafting world. but sometimes there is no ducking the curveball. On a dare, I decided to take on a whole new challenge. There was a sour-minded officer I encountered while outproccessing from Panama. In my disappointment in his comportment my inside (my head) voice said I could do his your better. Well it became obvious the he replied "you couldn't cut it as an officer." Challange accepted!
So, in 1995, I started my university journey with two clear goal in mind - to prove that major wrong and to prove to myself what I could achieve. It was a journey of determination, grit.
2002
My friends, let me tell you, life threw me a little curveball. (insert record scratch) Detour time!
So, I took on this gig at a skincare company, and it took me all the way to St. Louis, Mo. Nine months into it, something hit me - a good, swift kick in the arse! I had forgotten why I started this journey in the first place - that dare I took on. The reason I put myself through seven long years of Dyslexia and ADHD scholastic hell.
So back to LSU I went. I enrolled and satisfied my ROTC requirements.
2012
My time in the Air Force, was one wild rollercoaster ride! As a force support and protocol officer and a sexual assault response coordinator, I gained so much more than I could've ever imagined. I was pushin' my limits, exploring new horizons - ones I never even knew existed. From Texas to New Mexico to California, and two deployments to the Middle East, my journey was filled with adventure and learning experiences like no other.
(insert second record scatch) There was a hefty reduction in force that came along, and it unfortunately cut my time on active duty shorter than planned.
But it wasn't all for nothing, not by a long shot. I was still havin' fun so, I decided to continue to serve in the Air Force Reserve.
2016
Life had yet another surprise in store for me, this time as the force support operations officer. Six months later, I found myself becoming the squadron commander!
And you know what? I didn't just enjoy being an officer, oh no, I LOVED being a commander! It was like I had found my true calling. Being in that role I was able to lead, see people grow, and mentor them. It fueled my soul and was a journey of growth, of making an impact and creating a positive ripple effect in the lives of others. There's nothing quite like it in my book!
Oh, and let me share this incredible tale with you as well. In 2017, Ancestry DNA came into my world, and I found my father in 2019. But that's a fabulous story all its own for another time.
2021-TODAY
As a Ph.D. candidate in life, I am always learning, growing, and taking in every experience, lesson, failure, and triumph. During the remainder of my COVID hiatus, I took time to recover from the fast-paced military mindset and refocus my energy on my next chapter in life. I knew I wanted to put my leadership and mentoring skills to work. I became a certified health and life coach through the Health Coach Institute and then enrolled in Creative Insight Journey (CIJ) - Clarity Catalyst. This course refocused me so profoundly that I became a CIJ Clarity Catalyst instructor myself and have incorporated the principles of the program into my own practice.
I'm all about helping others find their path with clarity and purpose. I share my “wisdom” through speaking, workshops, and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to share it all with you. I believe in mentoring and guiding others to become who they truly want to be. Life's all about taking the ups and downs and turning them into valuable experiences that lead you to a higher purpose. It is my ambition to strengthen resiliency and bring CIJ to veterans throughout the DOD and Veterans Affairs, as well as parents, students, couples, and organizations.
Ē-thäsRē-vīzd?
Let's Break It Down
Ē-thäsRē-vīzd is a creative take on the words, Ethos Revised, which aims to convey a unique and vivid image through language.
Imagine a painting – an artistic masterpiece that captures the essence of you; and you are the artist. One's Ē-thäs, is the sturdy canvas on which your masterpiece is built. It is the way you perceive all that is around you. It is your foundation and the structure that holds everything you've come to embody together. It's like the bold strokes of primary colors that create a solid base for the artwork.
At different points in life, an artist finds it necessary to step back, reevaluate, and add that extra touch of authenticity. It's the unexpected splash of vibrant colors that come from experiences that breathe new life into your portrait. As your life evolves and growth experiences are layered on, you purposefully give the conventional a fresh perspective.
When you find clarity and balance between the two, self-portrait comes alive. You are no longer a static image on the canvas; your depth of character and authentic personality come into view. When an artist honors an emotional connection to what is looking back at them from the canvas, that is when one has achieved an Ē-thäs Rē-vīzd.
Are You Ready To Rē-vīz Your Masterpiece
Evaluating Your
...Ē-thäs
Being fully present is to calmly acknowledge one's thoughts and sensations without judgment. t's a way to cultivate greater awareness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being by focusing on the present rather than getting caught up in past regrets or future worries.
Finding Your Confidence
Confidence is more than just believin' in your abilities; it's trusting in your journey, the power of your potential, and walking with humility and empathy. It is an inner assurance that comes from hard work, learning from setbacks, and standing up for what you believe in. True confidence about havin' the courage to admit when you don't know, while also holding onto a steady belief in your capacity to make a positive impact and knowing that our collective strength lies in our diversity and unity
Self-Awareness
Knowing your strengths and vulnerabilities, and why you do what you do, and how you react to life's twists and turns. It's not about judging yourself but about learning and growing. When you truly know yourself, you can navigate our crazy world with a clearer compass and build those genuine connections that matter most."
The Road to Meaningful Purpose
Is the beacon that guides your ship through the stormy seas of life. It is discovering what sets your heart on fire, what makes your soul dance with joy. It is about seizing what gives your life a sense of depth and significance. When you have meaningful purpose, you are contributing to something bigger than yourself; looking back with pride and ahead with determination, knowin' you are walking a path that truly matters."
Finding Your Tribe
A social network and healthy connections feed the soul. Especially when done with those who share your values, your laughs, and your tears. This hub becomes your home base in this crazy world, where you can be your true self and know you're never alone.
Personal Growth
...Let's get Rē-vīzd
When did you last recognize that you can not pour from an empty cup? Self-care is about taking a moment to rejuvenate your spirit, it is about spending time with loved ones, takin' a walk in nature, or simply takin' a deep breath. So remember, investing in and centering yourself isn't just good for you, it's good for everyone around you."