When I was in high school, a back surgery threatened my athletic career. I remember vividly how it felt to have everything suddenly put on the line overnight. Luckily, I was able to avoid in and continue playing for years to come.
By the time my D-1 college career was ending, I was looking forward to the break. My body needed it. At that time, I had long-term goals lined up and I knew my next chapter was emerging; I just knew I would be staying in the States, finishing my master’s degree, and building a future with my then-boyfriend.
But there was one struggle I didn’t expect.
When the competing stopped, so did a part of me.
So when my body began to crave movement and the adrenaline again, I was conflicted. On one hand, I wanted to work out. But I just couldn’t lift, sprint, or run like I used to. The idea of “taking it easy” was foreign to me, as well… Especially after years of pushing myself to the limit, like we athletes do. So, if I couldn’t give my workouts 100%, I’d rather not do them at all.
This mindset persisted as weeks turned into months, and eventually, months turned into years; the longer I stayed away from the gym, the harder it became to return.
After having my first child, I got to “bounce back” pretty quickly and easily, just as I was modeled from all the (unrealistic, by the way) expectations that are fed to us by the media, society, etc. On the contrary to my optimism, things were not as easy after I had my second baby!
Eventually, I considered hiring a personal trainer. In a meeting, I remember explaining what my body was once capable of; I kept holding onto my past athletic accomplishments.
But sitting there in a body that did not resemble that, I felt judgment and pity. I felt humiliated. It was all in my head! To make things worse, I did not allow myself to accept that this major lifestyle change could somehow alter my capacity to do, have, and be all…
The Struggle of Perfectionism
I think a lot of athletes can relate to this—whether it’s in working out, achieving success, or even transitioning to new phases of life. That perfectionist mindset tells us it has to be “all or nothing.”
It can be incredibly difficult to start over or accept progress that feels like it’s happening at half the speed we were once used to.
But what many of us forget is that sometimes, giving 20% is actually our 100% for that day. And that can be physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, spiritually…
In those moments, it is so valuable not to be alone!
Peer-to-peer support can truly be a lifesaver!
And – I wonder if this resonates with you: peer support just wasn’t enough for me.
Personally, I oftentimes didn’t feel safe enough to share the full truth—not just the version that was socially acceptable or “palatable” for others… but the real, raw truth of what I was truly experiencing. Crying in a shower at 2am, feeling less than, feeling lonely and isolated, feeling like an outsider. Hustling to achieve results in business just to feel worthy as a woman, and then feeling totally incompetent when those results didn’t happen (fast enough) – keeping me stuck in this vicious cycle… (I could really go on and on here but you get the idea).
The Power of Customized, Private Support
What I craved—what I needed—was deep, safe, one-on-one support. So I honored that knowing by intentionally investing in the coaching, mentoring, and support of experts who focused solely on me. Who gave me undivided attention and guidance that was customized to my specific needs, priorities, and goals. Instead of being pushed through a cookie-cutter system designed for the masses, as a trailblazer, mystic, visionary high-achiever at my core, I needed guidance in carving out my own path.
And that’s what I now offer to my clients—especially to those who, like me, have always been part of teams – told what to do, having schedules worked out for us, and being held accountable 24/7!
Whether it was on the court, in the office, or in life, it became so easy to keep adjusting, bending, or even suppressing parts of ourselves to fit in, to perform, to achieve…
But there comes a time when one-on-one support is essential to help us re-emerge and rediscover who we are beyond the identity we used to carry.
It’s about reactivating those parts of ourselves that have been dormant, exploring who we are now, and creating a future that aligns with the person we’ve become – the person we are becoming.
Are You Ready to Set New Standards for Your Life?
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to balance the perfectionist drive with the need for self-compassion, or if you’re transitioning to a new chapter and unsure of where to begin, I see you. And I’m here to tell you—you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we can create the space for you to fully step into your next chapter, with support that’s entirely focused on you and your unique journey.
Let’s rewrite your story. One step at a time.
