About Me
Training & Education
M.A. In Biblical Counseling- B.A. in Psychology
- Board Certified Christian Counselor by the BCPPC
- Professional Life Coaching Certification through AACC
- Elijah House Prayer Counseling
- Money Map Coach Crown
- 10 years study of the Word through Precepts
Memberships
- American Association Christian Counselors
- Coaches Alliance
- eWomen Network
- REO (Referral Exchange Organization)
I started my walk towards my destiny as a life coach when I went off to college over 30 years ago. I was always fascinated by the human mind and why people thought or behaved a certain way. I decided to attend the University of Tennessee to study Psychology so that I could gain further wisdom regarding my curiosity. In spite of my growing passion for the field, my desire to help others and graduating with a B.A., there were not many employment opportunities available for counselors at that particular time.
At my stepfather’s suggestion, I applied to an insurance company, called State Farm, as a claim representative and within just a few years I managed to climb the ladder of success and become a regional claims manager for Colonial, owned by Nationwide. But I could never quiet the voice of my heart that desired to do something truly fulfilling; to help others help themselves. After committing over 16 years to Corporate America, I decided to resign and return to my original dream. I never regretted taking an alternate route because my career, up to then, had done a wonderful job training me and honoring my coaching, leadership and training skills.
My journey towards my calling to be a coach was one that involved certain significant people that made an impact on my life just like an actual “coach” would. The depth of gratitude I have for these outstanding individuals cannot be expressed enough. They cared about me, were mentors and teachers, and encouraged me to pursue my God-given purpose and destiny. Without the personal and professional influence they had on my life, I would not be who I am today. When I recommitted myself to my original career objective, the doors began to open and amazing individuals came into my life. I met a wonderful woman named Vicki, who was my first coach and friend. Vicki had the uncanny ability to see in people what they couldn’t see in themselves. She gave me the encouragement and self-empowerment to pursue the coaching profession by providing her insight and the resources I needed to get started.
Although success came easy to me, I felt like something was still missing in the core of my being. I felt that my life was out of balance because when I looked within, I realized spiritually I was empty and depleted. I heard of a local church and that is where I met my next coach. Over the next seven years of my life, I began to learn that she and everybody she coached, could have a real relationship with God. I was taught that a “real” relationship with God meant experiencing the true nature, presence and power of God through learning about who He was, what the Bible said about Him and fellowship with others who believed what she believed about God. I became very close to the Pastor of my church, Greg, and his wife June. June turned out to not only be a close friend of mine but someone who devoted her time to coach and foster in me the self discovery I needed and the encouragement to make the career transition into full-time Christian Counseling and Life Coaching.
In 2000, I met another fantastic coach named Ruth who taught me significant spiritual principles and answered many questions that inspired me even more. It was because of June and Ruth that I became “truly” inspired to move forward in my pursuits by getting a Masters in Biblical Counseling. I know that God placed these significant relationships in my life that encompassed honesty and forthright direction and teaching, and is why I eventually accomplished my dream and became a Certified Life Coach. Although each of these individuals were not coaches by profession, they had the ability to impact my life the way a life coach does.
The journey has not been easy, though, in spite of my successful coaching practice. In 2002, I remarried while living in Colorado, and in 2004 decided with my husband to move to Knoxville, TN, because the job market was starting to fail and my husband couldn’t find work. On faith, I left my growing practice behind along with the people I loved and started over. In a matter of months my whole life turned upside down. I was dealing with a new marriage, moving across the country, and suffered a financial crisis. I have devoted my life to help others overcome challenges in life and now I was faced with helping myself get through the hardest of times. When the storm finally passed, I was able to look back at all the lessons and wisdom I had gained from my personal struggles. In the end, it only made me a more committed, experienced and credible life coach!
My heart is to give to others what has been given to me. To provide a relationship where I can hear the truth behind one’s pain and troubles, learn who my clients’ are while maintaining my own encouragement to pursue my God-given purpose and balance in life. I am dedicated to working with anyone who seeks my services to guide them in a way so they can overcome the obstacles in their lives and to move forward in order to experience life as God designed it to be experienced. As your Life Coach, I believe that an effective coach comes to the table with not only their own life experiences, but professional training and education. Only then can another person feel like they can entrust me with their own lives and struggles. One of my personal passions is to read and I still love to learn not only about the human mind, but the heart as well. I am 100% committed and passionate about what I do and that is what continues to drive me to seek the wisdom that I can obtain that I pass on to others so they can grow in their personal journey.