how i got here—
Background
Born and raised in Southern California, my first-generation parents set me up for the “American Dream.” At an early age, academia became a focus for upward mobility and success. Finishing my graduate program in my early twenties, I was ready to take on a career in marketing and event planning in Los Angeles. However, the “American Dream” I had worked so hard to achieve began falling apart. From getting laid off to having to defer my student loans, rock bottom became an unplanned destination as I battled mental health issues.
I found myself living back in my childhood bedroom. Back at my old college job. Back at the place I fought so hard to leave. I did "everything right." I checked all the boxes I was told to check...ever since I was a kid. Then I started questioning everything and asking myself the hard questions. Who am I? What do I want to do with my life? What's important to me?
This is when my spiritual awakening really began. I read every possible self-help book, became a Reiki practitioner, and started learning about this thing called "mindfulness."
Becoming a teacher and establishing a career in higher education was the last place I ever imagined myself to be. But I enjoyed teaching young adults how to communicate in their interpersonal relationships, it was rewarding.
Leaving Academia
In 2016, I began venturing outside academia by stepping on the TEDx stage, inviting the audience to question their societal conditioning around happiness and success. In 2018, I founded the “Institute for Empowerment,” to teach busy professionals how to integrate mindfulness into their mindset, communication, and relationships so they can live in more alignment. Since then I have been invited to speak on stages for conferences, corporations, and universities.
Why I Do This Work
We are often taught how to make a living but not how to build a life. As a result, we often get caught up in the “doing” of life and unsure of how to “be” in our lives. We have become “human-doings” not “human-beings.” We are taught to look outward for answers, not inward.
Fun Facts About Me...
- I absolutely love traveling to different countries and learning about new cultures.
- There is something about outer space I find fascinating. I love staring up at the night sky on a clear night.
- Nature is my favorite place to go when I need to recharge. Preferring the mountains and forest for hikes.
- Libraries are one of my favorite places to sit and get creative work done. The books give me superpowers.
- I love cinematography and film scores - there's something magical about how movies are made.
Free Download
Mindful Communication
Learn how to begin communicating mindfully so you can enjoy more meaningful connections and healthier relationships.
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