How I Got Here....

In October 2023, I found myself in a radiology clinic, perched on an examination table. A paper gown hung loosely around me, exposing my vulnerability. The technician had stepped out after my left breast ultrasound, leaving me facing the screen displaying a newly discovered lump.

 My mind spiraled: "A lump... no, not me. This is impossible. Oh God... what if it is?"

The ominous shadow beneath my name—what the technician casually called the dumb lump—seemed to define my entire existence in that moment. A suffocating cloud of dread constricted my chest. I didn't cry; I was paralyzed. Shame consumed me: "You're so stupid. You don't have your life together, and now, with this, you never will."

How could I tell my kids? The thought alone was a dagger to my heart.

I broke protocol and snapped a picture of the screen. It was my breast, my lump—defined by two points marking its location. In that moment, I realized: Wake-up calls rarely happen in an instant. They accumulate through our experiences and challenges.

My life has been punctuated by profound wake-up calls:

• 1999: My first son's birth with a cleft lip and palate, launching a 20-year medical journey
• 2001: Experiencing the heartbreak of miscarriage
• 2010: Navigating life as a divorced single mother after a 17-year marriage
• 2011: Watching medical teams frantically save my 10-year-old son from anaphylactic shock
• 2018: Losing my second husband to cancer, just hours after leaving his hospice
• 2022: Confronting a critical emergency with my daughter after a suicide attempt

And now, in October 2023, a breast lump demanding my attention.

On my way home from that appointment, I bought a new journal and wrote a pivotal question: "What is my reason why?"

It's now 2024. The lump remains, its nature uncertain. Yet, this experience has sparked profound reflection, crystallizing my mission: to guide women in discovering their "Reason Why", embracing their worth, and owning their impact.

I've witnessed countless women struggling to believe they matter. My journey has taught me that our most significant challenges become our most influential teachers. Each wake-up call presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

You matter. Your impact is profound.

Leslie

My Background

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women's Studies, complemented by several professional certifications:

• Professional Co-Active Coach
• Third-Party Mediation and Conflict Resolution Specialist
• Circle Facilitation
• Conversational Leadership & Participatory Dialogue
• Stakeholder Engagement

The following intentions guide my work:

• Challenge Perspectives: Engage individuals & groups with thought-provoking questions, encouraging reflection & reevaluation.

• Facilitate Understanding: Clarify complex ideas to foster deeper comprehension among participants.

• Create a Safe Environment: Cultivate a supportive space where fresh ideas can emerge, and all voices are heard.

• Inspire Possibilities: Encourage visionary thinking, allowing individuals to explore new horizons and opportunities.

• Promote Action: Assist in creating tangible pathways for forward movement and progress.