I spent decades of my life pursuing academic and sporting excellence, external success, and the approval of others. That worked well for many years. I realized my childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian and found success as a cyclist and triathlete along the way. But then in my early thirties, the wheels fell off and my flame began to burn out, fast.

While I appeared to be successful on the outside, inside I felt anything but. Instead of fulfilled, I felt empty. Exhausted. Pressured to perform and do all of the things, all of the time. Tormented by negative self-talk telling me “you’re not good enough.” Numb to the things I cared about most deeply (my family and the simple joy of moving my body in nature). Something had to change.

And so it did. First, I left my sport. I’d completely lost the joy and fun it once brought me, all of that replaced by the pressure to podium. Then, I left my career. The one I’d planned for, worked for, since I was 4 years old. I thought the burnout and stress I felt was purely due to my job.

BUT

What I quickly discovered was the extent to which my thoughts, beliefs and behaviour patterns contributed to how I felt. Leaving my career was only a band-aid solution, and ripping it off finally exposed the inner work I needed to do.

I’m grateful for the souls who helped me learn to love myself regardless of my results. Change my mindset and thoughts (if I can do it, anyone can). Feel my emotions, even the hard ones. Break the patterns of perfectionism and people-pleasing that were wearing me down. And find solace in a God who simply loves me for me.

This is why I coach. This is why I’m rooting for YOU. I want you to find the grounding, inner resources, and path forward you need so you can shine as both a human and athlete.