Let's Get To Know Each Other
About Me
Thanks for stopping by!
I know there are countless things you can be doing with your time so I hope a part of my story resonates with you and inspires you to take action on living the life of your dreams!
In Fall 2016 I was the only consultant on the project alone at the client site in Ohio presenting to a boardroom of executives at a Fortune 500 company. As far as work responsibilities went, I wasn't super phased. I knew what I was talking about and felt confident in my abilities.
But... something in my body felt seriously off. As soon as I flew in and got settled at the hotel I noticed my heart was racing, but not consistently. It felt like my heart rate would go from 50, quickly to 100, and back down, over and over again. I was having a hard time falling asleep, and I didn't have much of an appetite.
As the week went on, the things I was noticing compounded, until one day at the clients offices I stood up and had to steady myself in order to not pass out because of how lightheaded I was. I started texting around to see if what I was feeling sounded familiar to any of my friends until my roommate (also in corporate at the time) replied "I think you just have anxiety".
"Anxiety...what's that?!". Years later I would scroll through iMessage to find our conversation. What occurred to me was how lucky I had been to live 25 years without much of an impact from stress. I had experienced sadness, grief, loss, but I recognized them as a natural part of the human experience and allowed those emotions to run their course. But it finally caught up to me - there I was face to face with the makings of chronic, unmanaged stress that was materializing into anxiety...
That work trip would leave such an imprint on me that looking back I realize it was the single point that started the pivot (and the eventual letting go) of my corporate career.
It would be 4 more years until I quit my 9-5 in 2020 at the start of the big C, but during that time I decided to understand why my body responded so loudly on that work trip, what stress really is, and how to make sure I (and others) don't feel the same way again.
The one question I remember running through my mind over and over in Ohio was : "Is this all there is? Is this what we all work so hard for?"
Heart palpitations, 5 hours of sleep a night, and extra airline miles that we will scramble to use before they expire because we're working instead.
There has to be another way - I thought.
Fortunately along the way, and among major learnings, big failure and
finally finding what feels like my place in the world - I'm happy to say there is.
My Certifications & Experience
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Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
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Certified 200hr RYT - Registered Yoga & Meditation Teacher
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Certified Personal Trainer
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Training
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Breathwork Fundamentals Training
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Somatic Trauma Healing Certificate Program
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Neurolinguistic Practitioner (NLP) Training
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Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (M.H.R.I.R.)
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e-Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University
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Director of HR for Startups
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Former Consultant to Fortune 500 HR Teams
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2 years as an Integration Coach in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (working alongside prescribing nurse practitioners / psychiatrists)
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15 different personal development & meditation programs and retreats attended
From working 12 hour days in New York..
My old NYC office in the Empire State Building
Building my coaching business on nights & weekends alongside working my 9-5 for 4 years
Traveling at least 1 week per month
To Making My Own Rules & Traveling Full Time...
Santa Elena, Colombia
Tulum, Mexico
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Throughout those 4 years of making the decision to prioritize myself and my wellness I faced plenty of uncertainty, doubt, crippling fear that caused me to pause every time I was ready to take a brave step, but I committed to continue taking action.
I got my yoga certification followed by my health coaching training which turned my world upside down with realizations about what meaningful self-care actually looks like (as opposed to the self-care where I was just checking boxes).
I started to teach what I was learning through workshops (on nights + weekends), community yoga classes and sharing what I was learning with my team.
I also attended some pretty life changing events & retreats that kept chipping away at my self-doubt.
By the time the world shut down in 2020, I knew I had to focus 100% of my effort on my business & passion for helping others realize how possible it is to love the life we live.
I left my job, my relationship and moved out of New York all in a matter of 3 months & took my life on the road, beginning with Tulum, Mexico...
While there, I dove in on mind-body health, meditation, energy healing, indigenous ceremonies, sweat lodges, manifestation, breathwork and community like never before.
Taking much needed time off
(I've never been off work since I was 14!)
helped heal my adrenals and I noticed a major difference in myself right away. There was clarity of thought unlike I've felt in years, feeling energized, grounded, and connected to my purpose.
This time allowed me to bring my whole, replenished self to my coaching work and serve my clients from a place of wholeness. The survival mode switch was turned off and I could finally feel a sense of being home -- anywhere I went.
Nothing to prove, no one to impress, just me doing the work I'm meant to do.
In my experience, crossing paths is rarely a coincidence.
Let's connect -
Along the journey, I've picked up some incredible training opportunities. My yoga, meditation and breathwork certifications and energy work attunement gives me a deep understanding of the mind / body connection and how unprocessed emotions carry forward into daily living.
My Master's in Human Resources and 7 years experience as an HR consultant & program manager offers a candid perspective into the world of corporate hiring & promotions to help you have the courageous conversations at work you've been putting off.
I've participated in a variety of eastern and western healing modalities from indigenous plant ceremonies, sweat lodges, hypnosis, accupuncture, somatic trauma work, fascia release, reiki, and much more. I am committed to my own never ending journey to more freedom & wholeness, and to sharing everything I learn along the way with my clients.
I've also been fortunate to spend 1.5 years working in the field of mental health alongside licensed medical professionals to help hundreds of clients address the root of past trauma and long-term stress to be free from depression, anxiety, PTSD, binge-eating and substance use disorders.
I've guided group integration sessions, virtual and in-person breathwork sessions, and yoga and mindfulness experiences for individuals and companies.
... & the rest is yet to come!
I'm excited we are crossing paths, and if any part of my story sparked something inside of you, you can book your introductory call via the link below for us to get to know each other better. I'm happy to answer questions about the various coaching offerings I have, or simply to offer suggestions for the path you're exploring next.
With warmth & gratitude,
MK