If I’m going to talk about myself and how I became a creative, it absolutely MUST be through a lens of healing. Because that’s what creativity has always meant for me.

As a kid, creativity was my route to escaping. A way to constantly surround myself with moments, events, and art that inspired me or made me laugh.

I grew up and learned how to SHIFT FROM ESCAPING TO LEANING IN and this “leaning in” happened at an accelerated rate when I moved to New York City after graduating from college.

In NYC, I worked a number of odd jobs and gigs to get by, but the common thread was always training as a performer, coaching and mentoring actors, improvisors and stand-up comedians.

Many (not all) of whom I worked with saw storytelling and self-expression as a hobby and being surrounded by this mentality taught me two things:

1) Sometimes life gives you what you don’t want so you can be moved closer to what you DO want and…

2) pretty much EVERYONE can benefit from a jolt of seeing LIFE as ART and I am naturally inclined to empower others to see things this way. (We are CREATORS who are CREATING 24/7 YA KNOW?! Either intentionally or by default…)

The thing that stopped me from embracing full time creativity (and what I considered COURAGEOUS CREATIVE LIVING) was fear…. which is lies!

I’ve used (and heard) every LIE there is.

A few LIES I held TIGHTLY in regards to creative living:

*The lie of Rejection

*The lie of losing my freedom or my idea of stability.

*The lie of not being talented “enough”

*The lie of not feeling supported or understood by my friends, family, and community.

*The lie of not having the right “look,” (shape, weight, skin color, ability, etc.)

*The lie of wasting my time

*The lie of being ignored or invisible

*The lie of, “ohhh maybe I’m just unoriginal and BASIC.”

*The lie of potentially reliving past mistakes

*The lie of being too old and even too young

*The lie of more responsibility or pressure

*The lie of actually succeeding and it not being as great as I expected.

What I know about these lies and the built-in fears we all have now is that ultimately, it WAS useful to carry these fears.

These fears kept me safe, BUT what I know now that I didn’t know then?

WHAT KEEPS YOU SAFE ALSO KEEPS YOU SMALL.

Sure, it lead me down the road of “not worthy” which DID NOT feel good, BUT I was moved to make serious changes… because of the pain!

I covered up all my anger and disappointment for a time and wore my “starving artist” badge proudly, but I couldn’t maintain this mask for very long.

When I finally started accepting that, ‘hey maybe I don’t know everything" (#leoproblems) I sought out support from a therapist and then soon after starting that journey, a coach.

Then a mentor.

Then several mentors.

And slowly, I started to shift my mindset and open my heart and I now understand wholeheartedly that

THE OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T CHANGE UNLESS THE INSIDE ONE DOES.

NOT only did my external situation improve, but I started to feel called to helping others more, too, going from a “what’s in it for me?” mentality to a “how can I help?” mentality.

I launched a podcast in 2020 and built a creative coaching curriculum and business in 2021 and have been inspiring and uplifting creatives one by one ever since!

It all started because I first invested my money and time in giving myself the kind of support I knew I truly deserved.

I’m currently living the life I prayed for in Los Angeles, California and it took nearly 30 years to get here.

I don’t think it needs to take everyone this long to create and LIBERATE.

You absolutely can create great work while struggling, but I know wholeheartedly, you do NOT have to.

My way is not the only way to create, but it IS really FUN!!! If you ever need a coach or a soundboard for any of your projects, I’d love to explore how adding my energy and attention to your life, project or career will support you!!

Thank you so much for visiting this page and wanting to learn a little more about me. If you’re interested in working together, please don’t hesitate to schedule a drop-in call with me and remember…

YOU’RE THE SECRET SAUCE. 

YOU MATTER.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS and it’s okay to take up ALLLLLLL the space. LET THEM LOOK!

You are BEAUTIFUL!