The Roles I Carry
Who we are is shaped by the roles we’ve lived. These chapters of my life have deepened my empathy, sharpened my intuition, and grounded my coaching philosophy. I invite you to explore each role and reflect on your own as you read.
Parenthood
Though I had dreams of who my son might become, he’s shown me who he is meant to be. I’ve learned to guide rather than steer; honoring his voice, while modeling the importance of showing up in alignment with what I say and do. Parenthood has deepened my awareness, reminding me that children are always observing, constantly absorbing. Through storytelling, we not only shape memories but also preserve our legacy. Our first co-authored book, Out of This World, was a celebration of his love for the solar system and a reflection of our bond. From that moment, we began capturing more of our stories —our grief, our lineage, our adventures —all in book drafts. Just as I want my son to feel seen and heard, I want the same for every client: to be received without judgment, and supported with compassion, because we’re all still becoming.
When my fiercely independent Mother became ill, our roles reversed. After her terminal diagnosis, my son and I moved in with her and my bonus dad, becoming a multigenerational household defined by love, adaptation, and the urgency of time. Over the course of three years, we balanced her needs with our desire to make each day meaningful, still exploring when we could, and making space for her to be “Baba,” as my son affectionately called her. Her final year was during the COVID lockdown, a time when my roles as caregiver, school counselor, and Mother collided under one roof. It was overwhelming, yet also sacred. I had the honor of being fully present for her last chapter, one marked by grief, but also by deep, rooted family connection. That experience reshaped my understanding of emotional labor and informed the way I hold space for others now.
Caregiver
From managing employees in retail to counseling students in public schools, one thing has always been clear: the people I worked with were more than the roles they held. They were human—complex, capable, and deserving of being heard. Coaching them, even informally, reminded me that presence is a powerful tool. Whether helping a staff member refocus after a challenging day or guiding a student through a pivotal moment, I saw how a grounded conversation could shift energy and open up new possibilities. That’s why I launched Becoming Through Coaching. The one-on-one work I loved most in education now sits at the center of my practice, enabling me to support individuals more deeply—through life transitions, grief, parenting, and beyond.
Career/
Business Owner
Over the years, my understanding of family has expanded far beyond biology. I’ve been blessed with incredible aunts, uncles, cousins, and chosen kin. I’ve also sustained decades-long friendships, some of which have spanned nearly 40 years, that have shaped me just as much. These relationships have taught me that family is something we create with intention, nurtured over time, through shared history, and with deep presence.
As a school counselor, I saw the many forms family can take: grandparents raising grandchildren, friends becoming lifelines, older siblings stepping into parental roles. I’ve lived that truth, too. When I chose to become a single mother through fertility treatments, I intentionally built my village first, just as my Mom had done when she raised me with the help of friends and coworkers. One of my dearest friends, who bravely battled terminal cancer as a single mom, showed me how powerful that kind of community can be. Her life was a living blueprint of what it means to build a family everywhere you go.
Whether we’re celebrating life’s joys or navigating its heartbreaks, these bonds have held me through every season. From errand runs with soul friends to legacy lessons passed down by my Mom, I’ve come to believe that the people we love and who love us back form the foundation of everything. It’s these relationships that inspire me to create safe, compassionate spaces for my clients, rooted in connection, care, and community.