Age: 50

Occupation: Registered Nurse - Medical Case Manager

What would you tell your 14 year old self?

What I would tell my 14 year old self is to just be messy. growing up I felt like I had to get the best grades. I had to look a certain way. I had to do everything perfect. I could never fail. Looking back I wish I had just someone to sit me down and say “just get out there and do it. Even if you fall on your face.” I think that young girls need to hear that.

Embrace who you are. We’re all different shapes, sizes, and come from different backgrounds. We need to embrace who we are and start living our lives as authentically as possible.

Perfection is overrated. When we give ourselves permission to be vulnerable, and just being who we are, we give others permission as well. When you own who you are, you realize your own beauty, and that’s the place of the most happiness and peace.

What brings you joy?

 I would say the number one thing that brings me the most joy in my life are my relationships. 

My son is 10 years old, and I get the opportunity to see the world through his eyes. He’s artistic, smart, and funny, and getting to see the world through his eyes brings me so much joy.

I love knowing that I’ve grown enough in my own life, that if my son has difficulties, instead of trying to jump in and tell him how to fix or doing it for him, I get the opportunity to empower him to work through his issues. He needs to have his own life and his own journey. Knowing that I get to do that for him brings me the most joy. 

What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is living an authentic life. It’s being true to yourself. 

I tell my son that whatever he chooses to do with his life, all I want for him is to be happy. That he finds the things that he really enjoys.

Also, having the mindset that no matter what you do, you’re going to be successful at it. I define my success through the risks I’ve taken. Others might have thought I was crazy, but I can look back and say that “I did that.”