Looking Back and Moving Forward: One Year In Review

If you’ve been on this journey with me—whether you've read a Journal, joined a workshop, or just followed along on Instagram—thank you. It’s been exactly one year since I launched my website and brand, and this milestone deserves reflection. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: personal growth isn’t about big leaps. It’s about small, smart steps. One day at a time.

Why Reflection Matters in Personal Development

We grow when we pause.
We gain clarity when we look back.
We move forward when we take time to understand where we’ve been.

Reflection isn’t just about celebrating wins—it’s about honoring the hard parts too: the moments of fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty. The places where we stretched. The quiet moments of courage. That’s where transformation lives.

So today, I’m sharing the real story of this past year—the struggle, the growth, the clarity, and the forward motion. Not because it’s perfect, but because I hope you see yourself in it. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel a little more inspired to take your next step too.

Battling Fear and Building a Vision

Launching my brand and website felt like standing at the edge of a cliff and hoping wings would appear. 

I’d flown to Miami for a photoshoot a few months prior. I’d partnered with an agency to clarify my mission and vision. And yet, deep down, a voice whispered:

“You’re just a teacher-turned-professor, a mom, a farmer’s wife. Who’s going to listen to you?”

That fear almost stopped me.

But I didn’t let it.

Instead, I got curious.

I listened to podcasts, read books, learned from other entrepreneurs, and asked myself hard questions. I started imagining what was possible, not just what felt safe. One small action at a time, I built belief in myself.

And slowly, clarity came.

Writing My Journals and Sharing My Story

Through the encouragement of a friend who believed in the power of my writing, I knew my website would include a Journal—my version of a blog. I’d written academic papers and contributed to books, but writing for myself? Sharing my thoughts, personal successes and challenges, and reflections with the world?

At first, it was terrifying.

But I kept writing.

One Journal turned into 20. Each one grounded in wellness, mindset, and small steps that help people move toward a more aligned life. Today, my Journals are a core part of how I connect with others, and how readers like you find tangible tools to improve your personal and professional life.

Speaker and Wellness Educator

After 18+ years of speaking to educators, I began sharing my own wellness journey on stage to audiences outside of education. One request turned into a second request. Friends reached out asking me to share my message with their communities. School administrators saw a need for this message, too. I refined my Speaking page, started booking keynotes, and adapted my sessions based on what audiences needed most.

The more I showed up authentically, the more opportunities came. From company wellness seminars to women’s retreats, my calendar began to fill with events to teach others how to shift their mindset, improve their habits, and take control of their lives.

Rebranding My Social Media Presence

Let’s be honest—rebranding your professional social media is a lot. I had no idea where to begin. Thankfully, I met Ariela—a local business owner with a gift for branding and strategy. Her energy matched my mission, and together we began showing up online with purpose.

Each month, we now create intentional content rooted in the topics of my Journals, programming, and speaking sessions—focused on mindset, habit building, emotional wellness, and personal growth.

Creating the Empowered Ascent Program

For over two years, I’d been tracking what was working in my own transformation: tools, podcasts, reflection questions, and strategies I created for my own growth. And I began to wonder:

“What if I could offer this to other individuals? What if this could help someone else grow too?”

So I built it.

In August, I launched Empowered Ascent, my first group coaching program. It combined my personal strategies, a wellness self-assessment, and guided curriculum. It worked. Women saw change. And so I launched it again—this time as a 1-on-1 coaching program.

Now, in April 2025, I’m launching the first public Empowered Ascent experience—specifically designed to support women in agriculture, who face unique personal and professional challenges. As a farmer’s wife, I understand these deeply. This spring program is built for them, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Showing Up Authentically

In November 2024, I challenged myself to show up authentically on my professional socials. To do so, I posted one “Walk with Me” reel every day. Each video focused on mindset, wellness, or taking brave action—even when fear tries to hold us back.

It wasn’t easy. But I did it.

And now, these reels are a core part of how I connect with individuals who are craving more peace, presence, and purpose in their daily life.

Hosting My First Live Masterclass

Designing and hosting a live Masterclass this past January was something that had been on my heart for months. I wanted to create an in-person experience for local women to work on their personal goals as they learned how to find joy each day and overcome fear and limiting beliefs-- two things I continue to work on in my life. I created the content, booked the venue, marketed the event, and hoped people would come.

They did.

That Masterclass on Finding Joy and Overcoming Fear wasn’t just well-attended—it was powerful. And it reminded me that real connection happens when we’re brave enough to show up as ourselves. I plan to host more live and virtual events later this year—because women deserve support, and transformation happens in community with others.

Investing In My Growth

I also hired two coaches—one for keynote development and one for the business side of speaking. It was a leap, and I found “the best of the best” to guide me:

• Mike Pacchione is a world-renowned speaking coach. Since Day 1 of his program, I’ve incorporated strategies I’ve learned into my keynotes, workshops, informal talks, and professional development sessions.

• I met Brittany Richmond through a friend who said, “You just have to meet her for coffee!” She’s an award-winning national youth speaker and is local to my area. We met for coffee, I loved her energy, and I knew then that she was just the woman to help me develop my speaking business.

In both cases of hiring coaches, I haven’t looked back. Because, over the past four years I’ve learned this:

If you want to become who you envision, you must start living like her today.

That version of you? The confident, empowered, thriving one? She’s built through daily decisions and imperfect action. And having guidance from others isn’t a weakness; sometimes it’s exactly the support you need to accelerate growth. 

I also joined three female-focused communities that support my personal and professional growth. Surrounding myself with other women who are “doing the darn thing” is a constant reminder to take steps forward and “do the work”:

• The Founding Females Mastermind supports female entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses. Our monthly meetings continue to inspire me to keep learning and growing. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely business, but it doesn’t have to be.

• Women in Leadership of Central Illinois provides monthly mentorship and networking opportunities. At their Pathways to Success Conference last fall, I was inspired to take some bold steps that created massive momentum in my business. Surrounding yourself with other leaders is always a good idea!

• Nadine Kenny Johnstone is a college-friend, award-winning author, and writing coach. One of my goals was to step into the identity of being a writer. Her weekly “Writing Workouts” give me the time, space, and inspiration to write— some of these ideas can be found in my website’s Journals and others can be found in the book projects I’m working on. No matter who you want to become—or what you want to create—you must take action.

Looking Ahead

This year, I’m continuing to “walk in faith, not fear.” I tell myself that daily. 

I take time each week to reflect, listen, and ask: “What’s aligned with who I’m becoming?”

I still wrestle with imposter syndrome, but I don’t let it win. I show up anyway.

Just over three years ago, I thought I had reached my “dream job” as a professor. But deep down, I was numb and exhausted. Now, I know that when we listen to our inner voice—and take small steps forward—we can create something more beautiful than we imagine.

A Final Word: This Journey Is for You Too

If you’ve been here this past year—reading my Journals, attending a workshop, watching a reel, or just popping in here and there—I’m so glad you’re here.

If you’re just finding me now, welcome! This is your invitation to begin.

You don’t have to know the whole plan. You just need to take the next step. One small, smart step at a time, you can create a life that feels aligned and fulfilling.

We are Alive to Thrive. And that means showing up for the life you’re called to live—starting now.

Ready to take your next step?
Explore my Journals, join my email list, or check out the Empowered Ascent Program. Your journey starts today.