Yesterday’s Kentucky Derby gave us more than mint juleps, big hats, and tradition—it gave us a powerful, real-time lesson in resilience, belief, and what it means to defy the odds.

Because sometimes, the story doesn’t unfold the way we expect.

For the last couple of years, I have been watching, with interest, the story of two eagles, Jackie and Shadow, that reside in the Big Bear Valley area. Last year, one of the three eaglets didn’t make it. This year, Jackie laid two eggs which were later destroyed by other birds. Fortunately, Jackie laid two more eggs which ultimately hatched. The cameras have been capturing their moves for years.

Low self-esteem is often treated like a quiet inconvenience—something personal, private, and manageable. But the truth is, low self-esteem is expensive. And I don’t just mean emotionally. It comes with real, measurable costs that show up in our relationships, careers, health, and overall quality of life.

For decades, divorce was seen as a young person’s problem — something that happened early, before life fully settled. But a quieter, powerful shift has been unfolding in recent years: gray divorce.

You didn’t lose your intuition.
You were taught to ignore it.

Emotional abuse doesn’t just break hearts—it quietly trains you to doubt your own reality. And long after the relationship ends, that doubt can feel more damaging than the relationship itself, where many women are left asking the same quiet question:

Why don’t I trust myself anymore?

Every January, we set goals with hope and determination—promising ourselves that this year will be different. Yet for many women, those goals quietly fall away within weeks. It’s easy to blame motivation or discipline, but the real issue is often something deeper:

Self-worth.

Last week, I released an episode from my podcast, Bent Not Broken, that discussed unresolved trauma and its impact. Having dealt with some trauma in my own life, I was surprised to learn how unresolved trauma can manifest itself in our bodies – physically and emotionally – and I wanted to learn more.

There’s a quiet voice that follows me more often than I like to admit. It whispers that no matter how much I accomplish, no matter how hard I try, I’m still falling short. Not smart enough. Not healed enough. Not successful enough. Just… not enough.  Do you ever feel this way?

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight—it creeps in quietly. One missed lunch break. One more late night. One too many “yeses” when you should have said “no.” Before you know it, you’re mentally exhausted, emotionally drained, and physically wiped out. Sound familiar?

As I’ve been interviewing guests for my new podcast, Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Abuse, several have mentioned the term “covert narcissist.” I’ve experienced narcissistic behavior before, but it made me wonder—what’s the difference between a narcissist and a covert one? The word “narcissist” has become more familiar in recent years as research sheds light on this complex personality disorder.

Life has a way of testing our strength when we least expect it. One moment, everything feels steady—and the next, we’re facing a storm that shakes the very foundation we stand on. But here’s the truth. Resilience isn’t about never falling apart. It’s about learning how to bend without breaking.

Suicide is rarely caused by a single event. It often builds over time. This post explores the spectrum of suicidal thoughts, key risk factors, and life-saving protective factors. Understanding this process is a critical step toward compassion, prevention, and hope.

A Vegas encounter taught me that the most valuable things we bring home aren't souvenirs, but clarity about what we truly deserve in relationships after divorce.

Are you still working on your New Year’s resolutions?

If your goals feel like distant memories, you're not alone. Life happens. Plans shift, energy dips, and motivation gets buried under day-to-day responsibilities. But here’s the good news - it’s never too late to realign. In fact, mid-year is the perfect time for a reset.

Life coaches focus on the present and future, empowering you to unlock your full potential and create a life aligned with your true values.

Have you ever felt a deep pull in your heart whispering, “There’s more for you than this”?

April 15th was National Rubber Eraser Day—a small celebration for something most of us took for granted in our school days: the rubber eraser. I posted about this on social media and added a bit of trivia which generated a couple of interesting comments. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could erase away the mistakes we’ve made in our lives? Or would it?

It’s that time of the year – again.  The holiday celebrations are over, and the decorations are coming down, only to be stored for the next season. As the New Year approaches, I find myself reflecting on 2024 and what I’ve accomplished and what I would like to get done for 2025. Most of these entail business type goals as I typically avoid anything of a personal nature (something I will be changing for 2025).  I also have my annual shredding party that consists of shredding papers older than seven years.  I think of this as throwing my own News Year’s party!

Did YOU know that your story holds incredible power. It’s more than a series of personal experiences—it’s a way to connect, inspire, and create something meaningful. By following the principles of BUILD—Boldness, Uniqueness, Inspiration, Leadership, and Determination—you can transform your journey into a thriving business that makes a difference in the lives of others. Let’s dive into the “BUILD” concept!

The popular TLC show, “Sister Wives,” has sparked extensive conversation about polygamy, narcissism, and the dynamics of healthy relationships. Kody Brown, the family’s patriarch, has long been a vocal advocate for polygamy, often quoting that “love should multiply.” Over the years, Kody expanded his family from one wife to four, fathered eighteen children, and now finds himself back with just one wife. What led to this change?