GenXers have reached that moment—gulp—the so-called ‘midlife’ years, complete with the dreaded menopause. Ugh! A lot of us hit these years fully unprepared for what was coming. We heard about the hot flashes, but even that wasn't named correctly to explain the actual misfiring of your temperature regulation. It feels like an electrical short in a lamp wire, sending sparks flying, causing temps to both jump but also to instantly plummet, only to rebound within seconds. The (very, very, VERY) dry symptoms to the haywire emotions & mood swings, it's all extraordinarily confusing, especially for us feral, completely self-reliant GenXers, who weren't at all prepared for this transition. We mostly raised ourselves & our parents certainly weren't talking about Menopause at the dinner table, or to us at all, leaving us guessing what we were in for. We can talk about how to manage the changes & challenges of midlife, especially with a lack of prior knowledge or understanding of options for symptom management.

Life has thrown me more than my fair share of obstacles! Illness from childhood. Broken home. GenX childhood- so I basically raised myself AND my younger brother. Teen pregnancy... so married at 17. Abusive home, eventually into a single parent home. Latchkey kid. Yet.... I am still married, yes, to the same man, over 35 years later. We raised 3 kids into adulthood to be independent, and all college educated. I owned my own business and then ran a multi-level beauty company that I grew over 10 fold in 10 years, eventually having to leave due to my declining health, but I was very successful at what I did. I found successes and happiness in spite of a lot life has thrown at me. Resilience, creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to get up and dust myself off to keep going even when I feel awful... all things I value, but I also value kindness, honesty, caring and friendship even more.

I cared for Dad for 7 years, first in my home, then in his, each posing unique challenges. He was deferential in mine, but very controlling in his. I was building a professional practice, he was dealing with consequences of bladder cancer surgery. We had complicated feelings about each other: he praised my dedication to him, and feared I'd harm him with his medications; I resented leaving my home, being the caregiving sibling. I acted horribly at times (I locked him out of my RV which he dearly wanted to work on) and he reciprocated (making my friends feel unwelcome in his home). He'd call me by my mother's name. (Parental conflict was the norm growing up.) I came to have great compassion for her. We had moments of great generosity and we even had fun together, too. It brought out the worst and the best in us. But it never occurred to us to seek help, a trusted outsider to help provide perspective and verbalize frustrations. If this sounds familiar, let's work on it together.

The biggest challenge was coming out to myself. In the recovery community we talk about the "gifts of sobriety," things we learn about ourselves once the substance induced haze dissipates. My coming out was just that.....a gift. I had just turned 50 when I told my drinking story at a women's AA meeting. While I was clueless about myself, every lesbian in the room knew I was one of them. Due to internalized homophobia and unfamiliarity with the lifestyle, I intuitively felt threatened: I was embarrassed and ashamed, afraid of rejection. Being in corporate mode, I "hired" a "consultant" to help me assess my status. In the process, I found I already had lesbian friends. I found acceptance of myself and others. Whether you knew when you were 8 or are just now in discovery, coming out can be the most liberating of experiences. I've been there, done that, and I can help make your journey easier. You don't have to navigate it alone. Let me co-pilot your journey of discovery.

For much of my life, I faced challenges that tested my emotional resilience and sense of self. Through my own healing journey, I learned the value of slowing down, reflecting, and developing healthy coping tools. Over time, I became the friend and support system others could turn to during their hardest moments. My experiences have taught me the importance of listening with compassion, respecting each person’s unique story, and creating a safe space where people feel truly seen. Now, I want to share that same steady presence to help others navigate change, rebuild confidence, and discover their own inner strength.

The pandemic disrupted more than routines - it reshaped identities , relationships and the way many of us relate to our bodies, boundaries and beliefs . For me COVID-19 wasn't just a global event; it was a personal reckoning. Isolation bought clarity, loss revealed what was unsustainable . In my own life I had to re-evaluate what safety meant, how I showed up in relationships an what parts of me were worth preserving - not just performing, especially during a time of great changes.

Aging is a tricky thing. I have learned so much about life, myself, transition and reclaiming as I've journeyed through the last 15+ years. No one prepared me for the cycles and what would be happening. I have discovered that I was and am able to recenter myself and be authentic and whole. The journey is hard. I have lived experience with childhood trauma, disordered eating, substance abuse and early widowhood. I imagined that once I reached 50's it would be smooth sailing. I was wrong! Let's talk about your experiences and discover how you can be your best as you grow!

My finalized divorce after 7 1/2 years of marriage felt like I slapped myself in the face with a brick. Not only were the typical financial and physical changes jarring, the emotional severance from the one I had deemed "my best friend forever," felt so immense. I was deeply lost, ashamed, and humiliated. Although I tried to "live well as the best revenge," I did not handle it well. I also did not have family or friends to turn to for help. Time ultimately helped and with the perspective of 27 years since then, I can still relate to anyone who is experiencing similar internal conflict. Divorce may be necessary, it may be "for the best," but it may also hurt like hell and feel extremely isolating. Sometimes all I needed was for someone to listen back then, and at a minimum, that's what I'll always be able to offer someone else.

A big move can be overwhelming and insanely stressful. I’ve done 6 out-of-state moves myself as an adult, and I would love to share my tips and tricks. From juggling different logistics to dealing with unexpected emotions that come up, I am here to help you through it. We can come up with a game plan that helps you feel more relaxed and confident about this journey that you are undertaking.

When I was in college, I thought I had to have everything figured out—career, relationships, calling, identity. The truth? I didn’t. And that pressure almost crushed me, leading me to graduate high school at 16, college at 20 and then go on to earn my MA at 22. Now, after decades of experience as a professor, coach, and mentor to young women navigating these same questions, I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t come from forcing a five-year plan—it comes from learning to listen inward and upward. I love helping young women who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next step rediscover who they are and how to move forward with purpose and peace.

I was married for 20 years, but for at least half of that time, my partner was having affairs with people of the same sex. We went through counseling, trying to heal, but I later found out the betrayal had continued behind my back. Going through the end of that marriage while raising two kids was incredibly painful, but it also pushed me to find a strength I didn’t know I had. After a year of being single, I dated again, remarried, and eventually divorced a second time. Each experience, though heartbreaking, led me closer to understanding myself and what I truly want out of life. Today, both of my children are in college, and I’m proud of the compassionate, grounded people they are becoming. I've written a book on raising kids with empathy and now focus on helping others navigate their own transitions. If you’re facing the wreckage of a broken relationship or struggling to rediscover yourself, I would be honored to support you.

As a first-generation college student and first-generation corporate worker, I had to figure everything out on my own, from applying to schools and building a resume to opening a 401(k), choosing an HSA, and learning how to navigate the world of corporate benefits and workplace etiquette. Watching my parents hustle through the 2008 recession taught me early on that I deeply value stability—and for me, that has come from a 9-to-5 job. That stability has allowed me to take control of my finances and start building the kind of security I’ve envisioned for years. Now, at 26, I’m often the youngest person and only woman in the room, especially in my male-dominated corner of tech. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s pushed me to learn how to advocate for myself, make the most of every opportunity, and be proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve become the friend who loves to talk openly about jobs and money, and I’d love to help others just starting their own path (especially those going to college and trying to break into the 9-to-5 world with no roadmap!)

I’ve navigated multiple major life transitions — moving across states, pivoting careers, managing health challenges, and building my own business from the ground up. Through those seasons, I’ve learned how to create stability in the midst of uncertainty, honor my capacity, and rebuild my life in ways that feel aligned rather than forced. I bring lived experience, practical tools, and gentle encouragement to help others find their footing during big changes. In our conversation, I’ll provide support, gentle perspective, and encouragement to help you find stability and move forward in a way that feels aligned with who you are. Talk with me about adapting to major life changes with self-trust and resilience ✔ Approaches for moving through career pivots and personal reinvention ✔ Finding stability and clarity during uncertain times ✔ Ways to honor your limits while building a life that feels aligned

After leaving an abusive marriage, I rebuilt my life piece by piece — while raising my 11-year-old and earning my degree to become a teacher. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me that transformation doesn’t have an age limit.

In my biggest moments of feeling like life was breaking me down, I was actually breaking open, to fresh new light & healing that was always waiting on the other side. I have navigated some really challenging life transitions that have taught me so much. I moved across the world, starting over on a completely different continent. I have been married, divorced, navigated challenging relationship experiences, cared for my chronically ill dad financially & emotionally through his illness & navigated his death in my 30s. I have also navigated healing mold illness, immigration challenges & other big school of life moments. All of these experiences, although painful, were powerful teachers that deepened my empathy, opened my heart and really encouraged me to discover a deep, grounded center of self love, mindfulness and inner strength that changed my life. I want to help you rediscover your inner strength and self-love as you re-meet how amazing you are through every life transition.

I've had my fair share of bad breakups as well as a divorce. I had five long-term boyfriends and each of them cheated on me ending in a bad breakup.. Then, I had a divorce that I chose to leave eighteen years of marriage for solid reasons but it was still very difficult to do. I have also been in a situationship which that breakup can be very difficult because it isn't recognized as a breakup yet it truly is one. Letting go of that person and all those habits and routine you'd gotten so used to being with them isn't easy to let go. It can be even more difficult when you're blindsided and discover they'd been cheating on you. You thought they were this faithful person in the relationship yet discover they were living a double life while cheating on you. It turns out you're better on your own and one day the right one will come along. But in the meantime, I'll show you how to cope and live your life to the fullest. Cry, scream, let it out, then move onward because it's YOUR LIFE to live!

I barely but surely received my bachelor's degree due to many obstacles during my college years, including multiple surgeries and a learning disability. But, after I worked successfully in Sales for many years, I decided at age 47 to attend graduate school and obtain a masters degree.. Now, I'm currently in the alternative teaching certification program. These are all steps I'm taking pursuing further education to be able to switch career paths in my fifties to become a high school teacher and school counselor. After my divorce, I realized I wasn't fulfilled with my Sales job anymore. I found a new purpose as I wanted to switch to a career that I feel like I'm making a difference. I earned almost all A grades throughout graduate school until I completed with my masters degree. However, I found other challenges in my teaching certification program, such as becoming more tech savvy, especially learning AI, which is required in my program. I'm happy to share more and listen to your goals!

Becoming a parent changed my friendships in ways I never expected. Some friends drifted away when I couldn't make last-minute plans or stay out late anymore. Others seemed uncomfortable with my new reality, like they didn't know how to relate to me once I had kids. I felt guilty for not being as available, but also resentful when friends didn't understand why a simple dinner out now required two weeks of planning. I was grieving the spontaneous connections I used to have while trying to figure out who I was in these relationships now. The loneliness was real. I found myself surrounded by people at playgrounds and school events, but craving the deep conversations and authentic connections I used to have. Making mom friends felt awkward—were we connecting as people or just because our kids were the same age? I struggled with boundaries, too, feeling like I had to say yes to every social invitation to prove I was still fun, even when I was exhausted. I was trying to maintain my old friendships while building new ones, and doing neither very well. What I learned is that friendships, like everything else, need to evolve with your life stages. Some relationships naturally faded, and that was okay. Others deepened in unexpected ways when I got honest about what I needed and what I could offer. I discovered that quality mattered more than quantity, and that showing up authentically—even if it looked different than before—was better than pretending nothing had changed. If you're feeling disconnected from old friends, struggling to make new ones, or wondering how to maintain meaningful relationships while parenting, you're not alone in this shift.

After 25 years in the tech world, I reached a point where the work that once felt stable began to feel misaligned. The question of “What now?” wasn’t just about a career: it was about identity, purpose, and belonging. That turning point led me to retrain, to explore what truly matters, go down different avenues and to begin to build a new life that feels like mine again. If you’re in that uncertain middle space, questioning what comes next, grieving who you’ve been, or quietly hoping to reinvent yourself, I understand it from the inside. I offer a calm, judgment-free space to talk it through and begin untangling what’s shifting for you. There's nothing wrong with wanting things to be different in your life. Let's talk it out.

In a few days, I will turn 50. I am not too sure I like that. I've been doing more looking back than looking forward. Knowing that 50 years of my life are gone, and most of them I identified as a Mom and homeschool Mom. I've been having a lot of trouble figuring out what the rest of my life will look like. I have taken some steps. Last year, I started a pet sitting, a mostly cat sitting, side business. I also completed the training to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist.