Walking away was the hardest (and best) thing I ever did…
Years ago, my life looked good from the outside.
I had a successful career in brand strategy, a comfortable routine, and a life that seemed to check all the boxes.
But inside?
I felt disconnected.
Out of alignment.
Like I was living a life someone else had written for me.
It wasn’t one dramatic moment that changed everything—it was a growing awareness I couldn’t ignore:
I barely knew who I really was.
So I did something drastic.
I left it all behind and set out to hike the Appalachian Trail—2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, carrying only a backpack, a journal, and a lot of questions I didn’t yet know how to answer.
What I found out there was this:
Authenticity isn’t something you stumble upon. It’s something you practice—step by step, day by day.
Through rainstorms, mountains, moments of doubt, and moments of awe, I learned how to walk my own path—and trust it.
Watch my story →
Why I do this work.
Today, I help others—youth and adults alike—do the same.
Because the truth is:
You don’t have to hike 2,000 miles to realize you’ve been chasing someone else’s idea of success.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to realize you’re ready for more alignment, more meaning, more connection to yourself.
You just have to be willing to stop, listen, and take that first step.
Whether I’m speaking to a room full of students, working with a staff of educators, mentoring a young adult, or coaching someone through a major life shift—the mission is the same:
To help people come home to themselves—so they can walk forward with clarity, courage, and connection.
That’s the heart of everything I do.
A little more about me.
Speaker & Storyteller: I share my journey—and the universal lessons inside it—on stages across the country.
Bestselling Author: My memoir, Wander: A Memoir of Letting go and Walking 2,000 Miles to a Meaningful Life, tells the story behind the work I now lead.
Mentor & Coach: I work with a select number of youth and adults in one-on-one mentorship, helping them build meaningful, values-driven lives.
Certified Facilitator: I’m trained in mindfulness, yoga, nature therapy, and life coaching, blending these tools into practical, accessible experiences.
Real Person: I still believe Pop-Tarts are elite trail food. I think the best conversations happen around campfires. And I believe that sometimes, the hardest paths lead to the greatest places.
Trail-tested truths I live by:
Pack light, emotionally and literally. Let go of what’s weighing you down.
Gratitude is survival gear. It doesn’t erase the hard stuff, it helps you keep going through it.
Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. You’re not weak for needing grace, you’re human.
The best paths aren’t always on the map. Trust where your heart leads.
There’s no “right” way, only your way. So stop comparing. Start walking. Hike your own hike.
You’re not lost. You’re becoming. Every step counts, even the messy ones.
Let’s walk this path together.
If you’re looking to inspire a school community, guide your own journey, or bring a message of authentic leadership to your event—I’d be honored to connect.
Because the most important journey we’ll ever take is the one that brings us home to ourselves.