This deep awareness, this intentional way of thinking and making my decisions, has shaped my path in life. Of course I still struggle every day to stay true to my values and my dreams, but I feel grounded in knowing that I've tried to be deliberate about who I am and how I show up in the world. 

I experienced the grief of losing my grandparents at a young age. We lived together and as a teenage, I often took their presence for granted. The shift in my world, losing them and many more people in my life since, has made me really aware of my relationships, how I communicate and how I show up for the people I love. It's also made me somehow more independent, wanting to live my life according to my own terms, leave a legacy and take advantage of opportunities that they didn't have. 

I couldn't always control patient health outcomes. Yes I could treat them, and yes I could teach them, and yes they did feel better. But what was really impactful was the fact that I could help them understand themselves, understand their options, make choices that were right for them, change their habits and manage stress in a way that actually enabled them to feel better.  I could empower them to take their health into their own hands.

My two girls

I don't have all the answers. I don't think we can ever have them all. But I'm on a journey, one that I've been on for a while. It's been good to me and I often get asked "How did you do that?". So I'm sharing my perspective, my knowledge and my approach. If you want to apply any or all of it to your own life, please do. I'd love to hear your story.

I've always tried to live my ordinary life in an extraordinary (XO) way. I love adventure and travel, I take calculated risks, I search for joy when I feel down. I have bad days like everyone else. But I am always looking to make my life, my health and my relationships better.