4 Elements Coaching

What makes me qualified to be your coach?

First and foremost, I am a lifelong learner. I take every opportunity to learn and grow through reading, traveling, experiencing, and dancing through life.
I returned to college after my youngest daughter went to Kindergarten. As a 32-year-old non-traditional student, I pursued a BS degree in Psychology with a concentration in Gerontology. I threw myself into college, soaking up every ounce of information put in front of me. Balancing parenting with college was tough but I persevered, graduating at the top of my class. I pursued a career in the field of child advocacy, working with victims of child abuse for nine years. I facilitated groups and workshops, spoke at conferences and taught parenting classes. Eventually, I became the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization. My skills broadened to include nonprofit management, leadership development, grant writing, board training, and resource development.
On August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck my Gulf Coast home. In the aftermath, I realized that I would have to grieve over the losses and face new challenges. We set out to rebuild the home that filled with 5 feet of water and learned to live with only the essentials. We found a new appreciation for basic things like electricity and a kitchen sink. We grew stronger and more determined to survive.
After rebuilding our home, however, I found myself in a rut. I was going through the motions, busying my life again with work and other commitments that seemed rote and rushed. I wasn’t excited about anything anymore. Overwhelmed and suffering the after effects of the trauma, I went through the motions and barely got the basics accomplished. I knew that I wasn’t depressed - I was just stuck! Energy and passion for living a rich life were gone. I stopped growing and moving forward.
It was then that I was introduced to coaching. I read everything I could and worked hard to develop a strong personal foundation. I removed the things that I was tolerating and began to live more mindfully. In short, I began to thrive! My life now had purpose and meaning again. I felt renewed and refreshed. Along with this passion came a desire to share coaching with other women who were merely surviving. I started coursework at Coach U and created 4Elements Coaching to help women move from surviving to thriving.
Today I am better than ever before! Coaching has changed my life completely. I practice extreme self care and live a balanced life. I have successfully raised three beautiful children who taught me more about life than any institution of higher learning. These children are now moving through incredible journeys of their own and I am amazed and delighted by the people they have become. Best of all, I have a beautiful granddaughter who reminds me that life is more abundant than my mind can conceive.
I am a member of the International Coaching Federation, Friends of the Animal Shelter, Hancock County, National CASA Association, and a past member of the Gulf Coast Writer’s Association. I am actively involved in my community and I continue to promote the coaching profession in my area, hoping to assist in the development of a local ICF chapter.