When you read my biographical sketch, you get the formal presentation of my accomplishments. What you don’t know is how I got here. I'd like you to know the woman behind the words and get an intimate glimpse of how my work has reflected my life.

Since I was ten-years-old, I wanted to be a teacher.  I didn’t see a burning bush or get struck by lightning, I just knew that’s what I was here to do! I began my career by teaching fourth graders in St. Louis, Missouri… it was quite fortuitous, because one of my students introduced me to his uncle, whom I  later married, and my student was the ring bearer at our wedding!  

After the birth of our first child, I began attending a parenting group, and believe it or not, I was quiet for the whole eight-week class, like a sponge absorbing all the information.  Soon after,  I started teaching parenting groups and writing Stop Struggling With Your Teen and Stop Struggling With Your Child.    

I wanted to become a famous author and instead found myself  stalking TV producers and magazine editors. I was tenacious, like a door-to-door saleswoman.  At the very most, I had two minutes with these media people.  I knew I had to make a powerful impact quickly! This experience was humbling, energizing and eye opening. 

I spent the next several years, focusing on conflict resolution in the workplace. Then in September of 2000, disaster struck. Or in retrospect, enlightenment. I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor the size of a golf ball that was blocking me from experiencing feelings. Before the surgery, fear eluded me. After the surgery, fear gripped me. I was fearless when I appeared before millions of people on the Today Show or Oprah. After surgery, if you breathed on me wrong, I’d cry.

I’d like to say while I was under anesthesia, I saw the vision from the white light that told me what I should do with the rest of my life. It didn't happen quite that way. When I woke up, my first words were, "I've been quiet for nine hours and now it's my turn to talk."  I took for granted that I'd  immediately start speaking professionally again.  It wasn’t that easy- something seemed to be stopping me.  It was a life-changing moment when I  finally realized it was me- there were parts of myself I was keeping hidden. That's when the groundwork for “Hide and Seek” was laid, when I  started to learn to truly confront my fears and overcome the overwhelming emotion of terror that kept me paralyzed.

In hindsight, having a brain tumor was a gift. I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. Before the surgery, spirituality escaped me. After the surgery, I embraced a higher power. I was able to take a journey and quiet the war raging between my head and heart. I began to  find peace.

I knew I had to spread the word. I get tremendous satisfaction from seeing the joy people experience when they transform their lives. This is now my mission.

I finally know what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be an inspirational speaker,  a communications coach and a teacher that helps people live their life that is inside of them. 

Life: It’s a GREAT Ride … won’t you join me?