I Choose to LIVE, and not Exist!

You will receive a compassionate, authentic, and transformational speaking experience. I walk as I speak and make eye contact with audience members to make them feel seen and heard. I listen for verbal cues and I watch non-verbal communication while I am speaking. You will hear voice inflection, silence, excitement, humor, and reality.

As an 18 year educator and lover of people, I have always felt the need to help. I believe it is the way we connect with others. I honed these skills at the College of Charleston where I served in various organizations and earned a B.A. in Secondary English Education, the Citadel Military College of SC where I got my first glimpse into the counseling world and earned a graduate degree, and at Capella University where I prepared and crafted many speeches and presentations as I earned a Doctorate in Counseling and Human Services. I fell in love with Public Speaking in high school. This is interesting because my mother made me say an Easter speech until I was 15 years old where everyone else was wearing lacy socks and Mary Janes, and I had on hosiery and kitten heels. My father was a pastor and had me reciting whole chapters of the Bible in the 5th grade to his congregation often and much. It was dreadful, but I soon realized they were preparing me for a career in oration and public speaking. I am passionate about helping others LIVE Well! It is showcased in the Facebook Lives I share, the 2 books I have written, the affirmation deck I created and the words I instill in my clients and students as a private practice therapist and Adjunct professor. I enjoy empowering others to change their lives to LIVING, not existing. Most of the time I am simply Mama to my 13 year old manchild. I learned to be better for myself, so I could be better for him. I use my triumphs and mistakes to assist others in moving forward and creating the life they want!

Depending on the audience, I may enter the stage with a song in the background.