01/15/2026
I wanted to let everyone know that I am excited that I am starting a new coaching venture, Pathways to Empowerment, to help adults build confidence, communicate, and form meaningful connections.
Being labeled quiet and shy as a child, I can relate.
From an early age, I was described as reserved and introverted. Those labels followed me and slowly became limits I carried with me. What people didn’t see was that I was always trying to push past them—putting myself in uncomfortable situations, stretching socially, wanting connection even when it felt difficult.
Social anxiety is something many of us experience. The hesitation before speaking. The overthinking afterward. The fear of being judged or misunderstood. For me, it was quiet and constant. The hardest part was believing that this was simply who I was.
During the pandemic in 2020, disconnection became impossible to ignore.
People talked about loneliness, about not having a tribe, about feeling cut off from meaningful connection. As a therapist, I felt a pull to respond rather than just observe. I’ve always been more of a doer than a complainer.
So I created the Walk and Talk group.
We met in my local area, walked two to four miles together, and then sat for coffee at the café in town. There was no pressure to perform or share deeply—just movement, nature, and space for connection to happen naturally.
What started small began to grow. People showed up. Conversations formed. Real connections developed—not just with me, but with each other.
As the group grew, my doubts grew too.
I questioned whether I was good enough and whether people would expect too much from me. The fear of rejection lingered—would people stop coming, lose interest, or criticize the group?
Leadership brought uncertainty. What were people expecting of me? Was I supposed to have all the answers? To manage every dynamic and ensure everyone felt connected?
Old fears resurfaced, but I continued to show up anyway.
Despite the doubts, I believed in the group.
I knew it was healthy—psychologically, physically, and socially. Exercise supports mental health. Being in nature calms the nervous system. Walking side by side makes connection feel safer and more accessible.
This group supported all the areas that matter for overall health, which had always been my ultimate goal.
So I risked being visible. I risked judgment and criticism. I stepped fully into leadership instead of staying comfortable.
Over time, something shifted.
The group became consistent. A regular core began showing up every week. Familiar faces, shared stories, and growing ease replaced the initial uncertainty.
Everyone grew—including me.
I could wake up excited to walk, to connect, and to watch relationships form. I realized I didn’t need to change who I was to lead. By believing in the process and continuing to show up, I had become my own hero.
I want this for you too.
I want you to feel that sense of connection and belonging. I want you to experience confidence that builds naturally through shared experiences. I want you to feel the same ease, warmth, and connection that we feel in the group.
If you’ve ever felt on the outside or unsure where you fit, know this—confidence isn’t something you’re missing. It grows when the right conditions are created.
And those conditions can be built—together.
