Hello!
Many years ago, I was sitting on my couch reading a book about co-dependency. Something in what I was reading resonated with me: it was the word “fear”. Specifically, it was the correlation between facing our fears and being happier. Something clicked for me.
I realized how powerful fear has been in my life. It kept me from believing I can do more, be more, and be free of limitations I impose on myself.
We all have a lifetime of experiences that influence our behaviour, regardless of where we are in our journeys. At the time, we may not know how significant those experiences are.
Despite coming from a family with no university background, I obtained a master’s degree in nuclear physics, even though I’d never taken sciences in high school. While my first triathlon saw me dog-paddling instead of swimming across the lake, that didn’t stop me from entering nine more races. Ending a long term, live in relationship was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, but it was a valuable learning experience for me. Who would have thought that these experiences would lead me to wanting to help people face their fears and improve their lives?
I’ve facilitated discussion groups on facing our fears at a women’s addiction recovery centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for four years. I create workshops that explore topics such as fear of change, failure, rejection, conflict and fear of success, as well as how to manage self-doubt and uncertainty. I blog about facing our fears and topics related to the journey of reaching personal goals.
Neuro-linguistic programming and addictions counselling training, my own therapy and life experience have heightened my self-awareness and provided me with tools to help others on their journeys to face their fears. With over ten years’ experience in workshop facilitation and public speaking, I seek to empower others to face their fears and enhance their lives.
I speak from the heart, with compassion and empathy.
Empowering others is my most powerful guiding principle.
I humbly acknowledge that I live and work in the unceded and shared territories of the Stz’uminus, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla First Nations.
Born on this land as a daughter of immigrants, I experience daily the benefits from living where I do. I never earned these benefits; I came upon them through no effort on my part. I experience the benefits of living where I do because of the past and present consequences of the colonial actions that settlers before me have imposed upon, and that we continue to impose upon the Indigenous peoples and land that were here before us. I wish to carefully reflect on the land that I live, work and play on and educate myself about our past and present treatment of Indigenous peoples and the land, and actively seek ways in which I can enact deeds of respect and reconciliation. Please visit nctr.ca.