If you had to write the title of your autobiography, what would it be?

Mine would be, “She didn’t give up.”

I texted a good friend of mine recently to tell her about my new career move. She said, “I knew it was just a matter of time. You didn’t give up.” I truly believe that with a supportive community and a growth mindset, you can achieve your dreams. Or, the path can lead to opportunities that far surpass your goals. Keep believing, my friends. Hold on to hope.

November is always a time of reflection for me about the year past, as well as a time of celebration for the gift of life. As you may already know, I was born in November.

This past year, with all its ups and downs, can be summarized in one sentence: I tried my best every day to reach my full potential.

The beauty of life for me is found in the simple moments of our daily lives. So that’s what I’m celebrating this year: the tries.

How do we as women stop hiding and embrace our strong, powerful, & feminine selves?

Over great conversations in late August with friends and family, I realized that in some areas I have been “hiding” myself.

One such conversation was with my youngest sister who brought it to my attention that I tend to hide my body under baggy shirts. Due to my athletic background, I have accumulated a lot of hoodies. They are great to wear at a sporting event or on a cold night to relax. However, they are meant to be baggy; when you put on one, they cover up your shape. As a result, wearing one hides your body.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term, “blonde”? Do you think of a smart woman?

For example, in late September, I attended a workshop at the BellyFit Summit with Taryn Brumfitt, creator of the Body Image Movement. The purpose of the Body Image Movement is to “to reach as many women as possible around the world and speak to them about how we can learn to fully embrace and love our bodies.”  Taryn is also the creator of Embrace the Documentary and co-creator of The Unstoppable Program. I had been inspired by Taryn’s work for awhile; in person, she was authentic and her talk about body image was powerful and engaging.