The Story

I graduated high school when I was 17 and wanted to move on from my stressful and abusive household as soon as I could. Though my guidance counselor was prepping me for Stanford, there was something magical to me about expression, creativity and design. So much to her dismay, I bravely chose design school and started 3 weeks after graduation.

I instantly found myself in this intense world far from the suburbs: I was taking commuter trains at all hours to and from school and work, shlepping art supplies and tools all over town, juggling a part-time job, and putting my all into my studies. I had to succeed in order change my life.

One of my best friends from high school was raised in a home where they practiced Transcendental Meditation and upon seeing my stress, she suggested I read “Perfect Health” by Deepak Chopra. I read the book as quickly as I could, absorbing this world of Ayurveda and meditation, and learned TM shortly afterward (which would become a foreshadowing for my life later).

My career at my part-time job during college was taking off, and shortly after graduation I was promoted to my first corporate job in the international division of a fashion retailer. I was just about to turn 21.

When my friends were out experimenting with their lives, going out to clubs and figuring things out, I was working long hours and weekends at the office, creating presentation decks and prepping for cross-functional meetings.

While my drive to overcome my past and not become my parents created success, it also created a pattern of my work representing my value. I was conditioned to push for the promotions and the status in order to prove my worth to myself. This is how our “Shadow” masquerades as a strength.

I am extremely thankful for all that I learned and accomplished in my life and through my career. I was able to travel internationally, work for prestigious and well-known brands, and partner with some of the most insanely talented, respected and inspirational people in the industries in which I worked.

Yet, I had long abandoned the meditation practice that I learned at age 17. My spirit was empty, my body was drained and my soul needed connection. I was in full burnout and would continue to be for years to come.

I had always known that I wanted to serve others on a soul-level, which is neither a possibility nor welcomed in the corporate world. But I never lost my desire and ability to connect with others on an authentic and empathetic level.

Fast-forward to 2020, it was the pandemic. Stress existed on all fronts of life, I was miserable with my job and I was nearing my breaking point. Every day I would ask the universe for guidance- at this point my life had to change. And it did.

I was laid off on my birthday and it was the best gift I ever received. The very next day, I received a random email from the Chopra organization announcing a new coaching program they had created. The universe delivered.

Today, not only have I found alignment, purpose and well-being in my life, I am now finally able to serve others in helping them do the same.

Thanks for listening.