About
About Towards Wellness Coaching
Towards Wellness Coaching was born out of my own healing journey. What began as simply surviving some of the hardest seasons of my life has evolved into thriving — and a passion for helping others do the same.
Writing and coaching have become the ways I transform experiences I once thought of as nightmares into reflections of resilience, creativity, and courage. Seeing these qualities emerge in myself taught me to recognize them in others. Learning how to honor my own humanity gave me a deep regard for my fellow human beings.
Over time, this transformation became about much more than survival. It grew into a practice of finding meaning, creating sustainability, and living with compassion. Towards Wellness Coaching allows me to share my genuine self — a heart that deeply cares for others who are also striving to create real, lasting change in their lives.
I have been fortunate to receive good help along my own path. This work is my way of paying it forward — holding space without judgment and supporting others as they take their own small but powerful steps along the road to thriving.
The Towards Wellness Support Group on Facebook was created in the same spirit: a no-sales, safe space for encouragement and connection. It exists purely for support, not promotion.
To all the brave souls who have worked with me — past and future — thank you for trusting me with pieces of your journey. It is always an honor.
I also believe Towards Wellness Coaching is part of something larger that is happening in the world. Although it may be easy to see where darkness persists, it is equally true that more and more compassionate, trauma-informed helpers are stepping forward. They are paving the way for people to be supported with greater care, understanding, and dignity.
I deeply respect and admire these helpers who are putting their hearts into making a difference. Towards Wellness Coaching has been born to join this movement. We may not always silence the darkness, but we can always be part of the beacons of light.
About Me
My journey has been shaped by both adversity and healing. I carry a history of trauma, mental health struggles, and addiction, but I also carry the strength, resilience, and wisdom that come from recovery. Over the years, I’ve moved from surviving to thriving — from depression to wellness, from severe anxiety to calm, and from daily neglect to consistent, compassionate self-care.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It has been a gradual process of rebuilding my relationship with myself — shifting from harsh criticism and unrealistic expectations toward compassion, discernment, and sustainable growth. By improving the relationship with myself and working through my own past, I’ve experienced the added benefit of improved relationships with others, a greater ability to be my more genuine self in the world, and a much-improved overall quality of life. Across my journey, I have combined over sixteen years of freedom from active addiction, and I continue to honor my wellness through slow, steady, and balanced approaches to health, fitness, and daily life.
Alongside my lived experience, I bring a strong foundation of education and training. I have a college education comprised of psychology, counseling, and health management. I am a Certified Personal Trainer, and I hold nutrition certifications from both Douglas College and ISSA. I also have training in CBT and DBT, and I draw on extensive personal experience with compassion-focused therapies and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
My background is further supported by 35 years of personal counseling, as well as the opportunity to work one-on-one with some incredible coaches. In addition, innumerable workshops, courses, podcasts, and books have all helped shape my knowledge and approach.
My professional background also includes leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, and team-building from my role as president of a union local for five years. These experiences taught me how to advocate, build consensus, and hold space for others with fairness and respect.
All of these threads — lived experience, education, professional leadership, and years of practice — weave together into what I bring to my coaching today: a grounded, trauma-informed, compassionate, value-based approach that honors each person’s unique path toward wellness.
Why Work With a Coach
Working with a coach can be like using a fast charger for your goals. It still takes time but the right support can help you stay on track and reach meaningful milestones more efficiently.
Coaching isn’t about someone telling you what to do or flipping a switch for you. It’s about walking beside you, helping you navigate challenges and supporting you as you build the skills, confidence and resilience you need for sustainable change.
A great coach can help you:
Stay accountable – Keeping you gently but consistently aligned with your own goals.
See the bigger picture – Helping you step back, gain perspective, and navigate obstacles with less self-judgment.
Personalize your journey – Tailoring tools and strategies that work for you rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Problem-solve with compassion – Shifting from self-criticism to constructive, realistic solutions.
Track meaningful progress – Supporting you in noticing and celebrating even the smallest, most significant steps.
Practice new ways of thinking – When trying to change long-standing patterns, a coach mirrors back compassionate perspectives, reinforcing how to speak to yourself with kindness and understanding.
Learn to become your own cheerleader – Experiencing true nurturing support helps you recognize and celebrate even the tiniest effort. Over time, this teaches you how to offer that same compassion and encouragement to yourself.
