As a child immigrant of 9 years old, I had to leave close friends and family members in Germany to move to Canada. Not necessarily deemed a gifted child back home, I now had to start over and learn a new language too. The challenges I faced ignited the desire to succeed in spite of the daunting task ahead. I became a top student and one of the first in my family to graduate from university.

A few years later, during my undergraduate studies in Psychology, a professor I really admired told me I would likely never earn a graduate degree because the competition was too stiff. At first I cried on the way home, then set out to prove her wrong. I later graduated with top grades, kick-ass skills and a Masters Degree in my back pocket.

Struggling with my weight and body image for many years since high school, I finally cracked the code of healthy eating and regular exercise. I completely changed what I ate and I feel healthy and happy with my body.

At 19, I survived of a near death experience during a car accident (and subsequent spinal injury) during the Christmas break of my first year at university. I was told that I should forgo the rest of the semester. And to not plan on participating in most sports in the future. Well, that just would not do. I learned to walk again and went back to university a few weeks later wearing a full body brace. I also became a lifelong sports enthusiast. For example, as a competitive triathlete I even represented Canada at the 2009 World Triathlon championship.

Once I met my dream man in my late thirties - and was ready to have a family - I was told I would never have a child of my own. At first, I felt betrayed by my body. I was questioning why something like this was happening to me. I really had to dig deep to get through this.  But I chose not to accept this as my truth and not give up on my dream. Four years later, I gave birth to a wonderful baby girl.

When a freak accident left my self-employed spouse debilitated, and me the sole provider for our family, I felt totally overwhelmed. After some good wallowing, I chose this to be the beginning of something positive instead. I had contemplated reinventing my coaching business ever since I had a child. I wanted more freedom to be truly present for my family and myself. The accident was the catalyst for me to start this new chapter and develop The Self Coach Approach.  And help others also empower themselves using the insights I (continue) to learn.