At 13, I was homeless and struggling to navigate a complex, often overwhelming world. I was fortunate to find mentors who gave me exactly what adolescents need: respect, guidance, and the autonomy to make my own choices. It wasn’t until my twenties that I discovered the tools to set and achieve meaningful goals, manage anxiety, build confidence, and cultivate genuine contentment.

Inspired by those early mentors, I earned a Master of Education and spent 17 years teaching in schools across the country. When I realized I could help young people achieve transformative results as a teen coach—without tests or attendance sheets—I knew I had found my calling.

Today I’m a life coach for teens all over the world, helping them overcome academic, social, and emotional challenges, build self-confidence, and develop essential executive function skills that are critical for long-term success. My evidence-based approach ensures teens are empowered to take ownership of their growth and reach their full potential.

Beyond coaching, I am an award-winning author of young adult memoirs, a contributor to major media outlets on teen development, and a sought-after youth speaker, helping adolescents transform adversity into success and build the life they dream of.

Education and Achievements:
  • Board-certified life coach for teens via International Coach Federation (ICF), the “gold standard in coaching”
  • Trained with rigorous, research-based Youth Coaching Institute
  • Trained in ADHD Cognitive Engineering, addressing the cognitive mechanisms behind attention, task initiation, and follow-through, not just behavior management and external systems
  • Youth Coach Training Facilitator & Practicum Supervisor, Youth Coaching Institute
  • Master of Education degree, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • Bachelor of Arts degree, double major English and American Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • 17 years’ teaching & coaching in K-12 schools
  • Teaching licensure in Special Education, English, and ESL
  • Two award-winning young adult memoirs, The Dead Inside and We Can’t Be Friends
  • Appearances and bylines in international media including CNN, NPR, CBS’ The Doctors, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Today’s Parent, Yahoo News, Newsday, She Knows, The Progressive, and others.
  • 1000s of youth and young adults mentored, ages 11 through 28
  • Pioneer in teen life coaching, with a track record of transforming lives since 2012

You may have seen me on

doctors

You may have heard me on

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NPR’s Charlotte Talks

Narrator for Robert Downey Jr’s podcast The Sunshine Place

Certifications: