I first studied a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Psychology and Health Promotion at Swinburne University and began my work with Breathworks. This degree taught me about the connection between mind and body while Breathworks started my journey with mindfulness, meditation, and wellbeing for health. During this time, I realised there was a lot that was in my control, so I set about on my exploration of self and healing.
In 2014, I completed a Graduate Certificate of Organisational Coaching at Swinburne University to compliment my skills and experience, coaching and leading teams in organisations. During this time, I started a small business venture that offered wellbeing and mindfulness coaching for individuals and groups in community settings and organisations.
In 2017, I completed a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne which was a lifechanging experience for me personally and professionally. It was during this degree that I found my authentic self and really progressed my own journey of discovery. It introduced me to the science of wellbeing and drove home the message that peak health, wellbeing and performance are attainable even alongside a chronic illness. It taught me that mental health is on a continuum which can fluctuate between languishing, coping, and flourishing. And that like physical health, mental health needs a daily regime of nurturing and prevention strategies.
My journey of self also took me travelling and scuba diving to some pretty exotic destinations. Spending time in India and Cambodia, studying eastern philosophies including Iyengar yoga and ayurvedic medicines. My hunger for knowledge of the mind and body was ravenous as I set about untangling what was and was not in my control. It was during this time I realised my values needed to be honoured, and that my authentic self needed to be nurtured, in all areas of my life. My life changed when I gave myself permission to show up authentically in my personal and professional arenas.
I learnt to pace, flow and flourish in my daily life alongside my reality living with fibromyalgia and seronegative arthritis.
Inclusion, diversity, and equality are non-negotiables for me so when I was approached to offer wellbeing and resilience coaching to long term jobseekers experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, and the effects of war and displacement, I knew it was for me. As life would have it, despite many participants reporting positive outcomes including improved wellbeing and employment, I lost the contract because I did not have any formal counselling qualifications. While this was a setback it also became my driver as I genuinely want to be at my best to the people that I serve.
So, I set about to fulfil this requirement and started a Bachelor of Counselling (Coaching) with the Australian College of Applied Psychology in 2019. During this time, I also started working with NDIS recipients, primarily women suffering the effects of psychosocial disability, including complex trauma, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Working with women who rise above setbacks that most would find unimaginable humbles and inspires me. Being a conduit of change and enabling women to meet their goals despite barriers changed my outlook on life.