Living with mindfulness and worth

Ambika M.

Through years of mental rewiring, I practice mindful living. This comes with the often loud voice of self-awareness, as well as presence and acceptance. Mindfulness is the difference between mindlessly binge watching tv that harms your sleep to numb against upset, versus enjoying one cookie. And I obviously still struggle! Acceptance also involves loving your true self and knowing your worth. I'd love to share tips and challenges as we go on a mindful journey together.

Finding clarity and purpose after stimulants, marijuana and mental health struggles

Jagan D.

Growing up, my home was filled with emotional turmoil and alcohol abuse, and from a young age, I developed a sense of helplessness. When I went to college, I finally felt free from that environment, but without the right tools, I spiraled into habits that hurt my mental health. I experimented with marijuana, psychedelics, and alcohol, using them to fill a void and distract myself from the deeper work I needed to do. Although psychedelics gave me brief glimpses of healing, I wasn’t grounded enough in sobriety to fully benefit from them. Over time, I realized I needed real clarity, not just moments of it. Staying sober these past few years has completely changed my life — my mind feels sharper, my sense of purpose is strong, and I’m now working toward my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. Mental health and recovery are huge passions of mine, and I’d love to connect with you if you're feeling lost or stuck, because I know how hard — and how worth it — the journey can be.

Navigating major life transitions with grace

John J.

After over 30 years in the insurance world, I made the leap to start my own small agency after retirement. It was a big shift, moving from a steady paycheck to running my own business, but it has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. Alongside these professional changes, my personal life has been filled with new blessings too—becoming a grandfather and watching my family grow has been a true joy. Through all these changes, I’ve leaned heavily on my passion for helping others, a value deepened by years of experience as a grief support facilitator and Stephen Minister. I've learned that real growth comes from listening deeply, staying patient, and offering yourself the same grace you would give to others. I know firsthand that transitions can feel overwhelming, but they can also open doors to new opportunities and deeper meaning. I would be honored to walk alongside anyone facing their own big changes.

Parenting a child with autism while newly in recovery

Kimberly F.

When I got sober in 2018, I was raising three boys on my own and my middle son had just been diagnosed with autism. I was barely staying afloat emotionally and mentally, and the added stress of figuring out how to support him while staying clean felt impossible some days. He had meltdowns I didn’t know how to handle, and I was still learning how to handle myself. I couldn’t rely on old habits anymore. I had to show up clear-headed, patient, and present. That meant building new routines, learning different parenting strategies, and leaning into resources like therapy, community support, and parenting programs. There were moments I felt like I was failing him, like I didn’t know what I was doing. But I kept going, one day at a time. I’ve since helped other parents navigate this same space, especially those who feel ashamed or unsure. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing. And I’m here to walk alongside you.

Making a realistic self-care plan

Ronna P.

When I was growing up, the idea of self-care wasn’t something we talked about. From my family, community, and the people I looked to for guidance, the message—sometimes spoken, sometimes implied—was clear: Be a “good” girl. Take care of others. Make their needs your priority. Seeking happiness for yourself was seen as selfish. I didn’t question this mindset—it was simply how I lived. As I became an adult, the pressure to make everyone around me happy became overwhelming. I valued my friendships and relationships with my parents. Then I entered the workforce, got married, and became a mother. I poured everything into supporting others. I wanted to show my love through care and presence. But I had no understanding of what I needed to stay healthy—mentally or physically. Eventually, this left me disconnected not only from myself but also from the very people I wanted to be there for. It took time to realize that declaring, “I’m not doing anything for anyone today!” once a year on Mother’s Day wasn’t self-care—it was a cry for help. It felt hollow and unsustainable. I still believe deeply in nurturing those close to me. But now I know that honoring my own needs is just as essential. After leaving my teaching career, I immersed myself in the world of self-care and began working with adults on their social-emotional well-being. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with people who, like me, were trying to figure out how to take care of themselves without guilt or shame. And now, I want to support you in building a self-care plan that fits your life—on your terms.