It was 2009. The economy was crashing and I was let go from my law firm.
 
I secretly felt a bit relieved but mostly I felt ashamed, paralyzed with fear, and convinced no one would hire me ever again. 

I still remember taking the elevator down to the parkade with my cardboard box and just sitting in my car.

In the dark.

For a really long time.

I had no idea what to do!

A few weeks, and several more cardboard boxes later, I decided to move back to Vancouver and start applying for jobs.

Despite my genuine relief that firms would still meet with me, I soon realized I had no interest in any of the positions I'd applied for.

Like zero. 

In fact, the thought of working at a law firm again filled me with total and utter dread.

And it showed.

Truthfully, I'd been miserable at my job.

I'd hated the billable hours, the competitive vibe, the weird combination of being totally mind-numbingly bored by the work and stressed out at the same time. 

(Not totally surprising I didn't want to go back, right?)

I wasn't giving any Oscar-worthy performances in my interviews so I decided to get some help with my job hunt.

It was then that I met two people who changed the course of my life forever. 

why

It's my mission to help people do whatever it is that lights them up! We all have a unique reason for being here and the sooner we figure it out, the better. Life's too short to do work you hate!

where

I live in a beautiful corner of the world on the west coast of Canada where I share a home with my partner, Evan. We're surrounded by big mountains, old growth forests, and the Pacific Ocean.

on the daily

Waking up to the very loud barks of our neighbour's very small dog, Crouton! #sendhelp. Lots of coffee. Forest walks. Putting hot sauce on everything. Watering the garden. Drinking from the garden hose because it's 3pm and I've only had one sip of water all day. Losing my keys. Figuring out what to make for dinner. Finding my keys. Checking for the latest Bennifer update (just me?!).

on the weekend

Slow mornings with coffee. Reading cookbooks. Hiking. Skiing. Listening to podcasts. Mindlessly scrolling Instagram for recipes, design inspiration, and photos of my adorable nephew. Watching videos of golden retrievers. Singing loudly and badly (like really badly)! Take that, Crouton!

As many beginnings do, mine started with a totally UNEXPECTED ending.

The first person was a coach and a former lawyer named Linda. 

We started working together and she helped me figure out what I wanted my life to look like (not just my job).

Understanding myself, my values, and my non-negotiables on a deeper level helped me make much better decisions going forward.

I finally felt clear about what I wanted both professionally AND personally (and I had a plan!)

So I started exploring options outside of practicing law. 

After some trial and error (see what I did there?), I got a job at a law school where I worked for several years.

I loved my new career.

I loved helping students, I loved the academic setting, and I loved the life I could have outside my job. 

The second person in the "changed my life forever" category was my new doctor.

She was also an intuitive healer.

(For the record, I had no idea what that was).

At our first appointment, she invited me to join a weekly class she was teaching about "mind, body, and spirit". 

Huh?

I was reluctant but curious.

The following week, I nervously showed up to class not knowing what to expect.

I was surprised to find a diverse group of professionals who were interested in exploring new ways of understanding themselves and the world around them.

Each week we learned about different topics - meditation, intuition, chakras, energy healing, the mind-body connection, the power of our thoughts, and so much more. 

I felt completely broken open in the best, but most unexpected, way. 

From that point forward, I fell in love with the worlds of meditation, energy work, intuitive healing, hypnotherapy, and more. 

I've never looked back.

Fast forward to 2016.

I was taking a leadership course with fifty other people on a remote island on the west coast.

(Fun fact: Also the first time I set up a tent by myself and slept in it by myself!)

During the five-day retreat, we were coached by our instructors and we also coached each other.

Turned out, I loved coaching other people! 

So in 2017, I became an executive coach and started my practice part-time.

I've also launched the Soulicitor Podcast where I talk about things I love with people who fascinate me. #dreamjob

It's my way of "coming out of the spiritual closet".

Because I think there's more of us professional types who want to incorporate more meditation, mindfulness, and magic into our daily lives. 

I know I do!